News

Celebrating UK’s National Honey Day on 21st October: A Tribute to Bees and Local Honey

October 21st, 2023

The 21st of October is an occasion of sweet importance in the United Kingdom. It’s the National Honey Day, a day dedicated to appreciating the centuries-old delicacy known as honey, and the industrious creatures that produce it – bees. This annual celebration is a call to savour local honey, understand its myriad benefits, and spread awareness about the grave issue of counterfeit honey.

The History and Importance of Honey

A Sweet Journey Through Time

Honey has been a beloved nectar across the globe for millennia. This golden delight was discovered in Egyptian tombs, indicating its significance in antiquity. Prehistoric cave paintings also portray bees collecting nectar, underscoring the long-standing relationship between humans and honey.

Honey’s Role in Ancient Civilisations

In ancient Egyptian culture, honey played a sacred role, offered to deities and used in the embalming process. Honey’s therapeutic properties also found use in healing infected wounds.

Honey in Modern Medicine

Today, honey’s health benefits continue to be recognised in modern medicine. It is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and possesses antibacterial properties. Honey-infused wound dressings are commonly used in medical practice.

The True Taste of Honey

Variations in Flavour and Colour

Honey is a natural flavour palette, with its taste and colour influenced by the plants from which bees collect nectar. Depending on the source, honey flavours can range from light and floral to dark and robust.

The Pleasure of Eating Honey

National Honey Day is not just about acknowledging honey’s benefits; it’s also about celebrating the joy of consuming it. Whether drizzled over toast, stirred into porridge, used in baking cakes, or crafting cosmetics, honey adds a touch of sweetness in various forms.

Local Honey

The Concern Over Counterfeit Honey

The Issue of Fake Honey

Unfortunately, honey is one of the most adulterated foods globally. Unscrupulous suppliers often blend cheap sugar or corn syrup with honey to increase its volume. Such counterfeit honey lacks the authentic, delicious flavour of real honey, and more importantly, its health benefits.

The Need for Clear Labelling

The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) advocates for transparent labelling of honey, allowing consumers to make informed choices. They are petitioning the government to revise the proposed changes in honey labelling laws in the UK, currently delayed till 2024.

BBKA’s Petition Link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/624402/

The Role of BBKA and Local Beekeepers

Advocating for Local Honey

The BBKA, with its 28,000 amateur beekeepers, actively encourages the public to buy locally-produced honey. Local honey gives consumers a taste of their local flora, as bees collect nectar from the surrounding plants. Moreover, local honey guarantees its origin, ensuring consumers know where their honey comes from.

Ensuring Honey Quality

Local beekeepers like Jane, a prizewinner at the Birmingham Honey Show, play a crucial role in maintaining honey quality. They offer pure honey, straight from the comb to the jar, ensuring consumers enjoy the best taste and health benefits.

Celebrating National Honey Day

Encouraging Participation

The BBKA invites everyone to join in the National Honey Day celebrations by purchasing a jar of local honey. They also encourage people to share pictures of themselves and their honey jars on social media, showcasing the various ways they enjoy honey.

Use the hashtags #NationalHoneyDay, #LocalHoney, #Beekeeping

Spreading Awareness

Alongside the celebrations, BBKA strives to enlighten people about honey adulteration and the need for clear honey labelling. Their goal is to ensure that consumers are well-informed and can recognise genuine, UK-produced honey.

Conclusion

National Honey Day serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of bees, the sweetness of honey, and the need to protect both. By celebrating this day, we not only enjoy the delicious taste of local honey but also contribute to a cause that impacts our environment, health, and future generations.

To get involved in the National Honey Day celebrations or to learn more, you can visit the official page here.

“We want people to be able to recognise honey produced here in the UK and be able to have a choice about what they are buying.” – Anne Rowberry, BBKA President