There is nothing quite like the taste of sweet-sweet honey that uses all-natural ingredients and is ethically sourced. Bees are a precious resource, not just because of their honey-making capabilities but also as an integral part of the biodiversity that we depend on to survive. Beekeeping or apiculture has become significantly more important in the past few years as dwindling bee numbers are a danger to all human life. All bees are pollinators and are essential to the growth of crops, fruits, flowers, vegetables, and even coffee and tea.
Aside from pollination, bees are the primary producers of honey, beeswax, propolis, and even honeybee venom. Proper beekeeping and ethical honey extraction are essential to maintaining their population and the quality of the product. The process of extracting honey is an art unto itself, and if done right, it gives a delightful and delicious reward. If you are new to the world of beekeeping and honey extraction and want to educate yourself in the process and do it yourself, here are the steps you need to follow to extract honey from beehives.
· The first step in the honey-extracting process is buying the right tool for the job and setting them up. You can buy a honey extractor that can extract honey from up to four frames at a time. A heated knife and capping scratcher are also important tools. You should also get a tarp to avoid a sticky mess and a large bucket to store the extracted honey.
· The second step in the extraction process is carefully removing the frames that hold the honey out of the hive and uncapping the wax cells.
· The next step is to place the frames inside the extractor, where they are spun at high speeds. By doing this, the honey is flung from the frame onto the extractor’s walls. Once the honey starts filling up the bottom of the extractors, you need to open the valve and let it pour out into the bucket.
· The final part of the process requires you to run the extracted honey through filters to remove any impurities and then store them in jars.
Meyer Bees is a Chicago, Illinois-based company that provides beekeeping and honey extraction services. They produce local raw honey, varietal honey, beekeeping tools, and all other honey-related products that you can find. They even have a honey advent calendar that contains samples of their different blossom honey. Visit their website for more details.
