Honey from the Hills

August 2014

The four hour journey from London to the Shropshire hills is an important one in which we embark each year. The reason for this large transportation of bees in the late summer is down to one crucial factor, the vibrant purple ling heather.

Ling heather doesn’t blossom until the very late summer months and is popular with bees looking for a nectar source at the end of the summer. The ling heather is amazing for honey because it is rich in protein and creates a strong and aromatic flavour. The honey also includes hydrogen peroxide which exerts antiseptic action.

Moving the bees on to the heather is a big job and is very physically demanding. Each hive has to be lifted off the trailer carefully in the dead of night. However, a job like this isn’t so bad considering the location. The Shropshire hills where Steve grew up are wonderful and tranquil and the small wood on top of the Long Mynd where the bees are finally set down is a perfect spot for a cup of tea after a long back breaking evening of lifting the bees.