World Bee Day on 20th May, today, is a day designated by the UN to raise awareness about the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators and British beekeeper collective Black Bee Honey continues its commitment to supporting bees through its work with conservation charity Plantlife, whose patron is HM King Charles III.
So far the B-corp Somerset-based company, who have donated 2% of their annual turnover to Plantlife since 2020, have helped create over 30 acres of wild meadows for bees and other pollinators.
Black Bee Honey's co-founders Chris Barnes and Paul Webb were absolutely gutted to learn of the loss of 98% of wildflower meadows across the UK since the 1930s.
Meadows like those they are helping to establish are a vital habitat for pollinators, as well as being effective in sequestering carbon.
As beekeepers, they understand the importance of reinstating this habitat and have made it integral to Black Bee Honey's mission. Their work with Plantlife has also enabled them to develop a circular business model where every jar bought creates wildflower meadows, which in turn helps bees create honey.
Paul told That's Food and Drink: “Our 2% for pollinators commitment has already enabled us to have a significant, positive impact on biodiversity. It's one of our proudest achievements since founding the company.
To celebrate World Bee Day, Black Bee Honey has joined forces with fellow pollinator champions Kabloom to launch a limited-edition collaborative gift bundle.
Priced at £30 with free shipping within the UK, The World Bee Day Bundle includes Black Bee Honey's 4 Seasons Mini Honey Jar Gift Box, a recipe card for inspiration and Kabloom's Birds, Bees & Butterflies Seedbom Gift Box, and is available from www.blackbeehoney.com.
100% of proceeds from every Seedbom gift box sold as part of this bundle will go directly to Wild Britain®, Kabloom's rewilding initiative that invests in restoring land across the whole of the UK.
Black Bee Honey's co-founder Chris Barnes commented: “Collaborating with Kabloom on this special World Bee Day bundle feels like a totally natural fit. It's a brilliant way to celebrate and support pollinators from seed to spoon.”
Olly Tyler, who is Kabloom's MD, adds: “We're really pleased and proud to align ourselves with such a likeminded brand to amplify the buzz around World Bee Day. All of the proceeds from every Seedbom gift box sold as part of this offer will go directly to Wild Britain®, our rewilding initiative that invests in restoring land across the UK.”
Wildly British: a taste of Black Bee Honey
The Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter honey is also available in a gift box or you can enjoy some of the Black Bee Honey range in a three, six or 12 month subscription.
Spring
A creamy, soft set honey foraged from rapeseed, hawthorn and plum blossom in Somerset, Yorkshire and Northamptonshire, with a light, sweet flavour.
Summer
Summer in a jar, this multi-floral variety is sourced during summer from apiaries in Somerset, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. It's created from a mix of wildflowers and has a rich floral flavour.
Autumn
A bold, dark and aromatic honey with a thick texture and notes of treacle. It's sourced from apiaries in North Yorkshire and Scotland whose bees are taken onto the moors in August when the Ling Heather is in bloom.
Winter
A fresh, herbal honey with light menthol flavours and a sweet, ripe finish. Sourced from Hampshire where the bees mainly forage on ivy during early winter, it has a set, crumbly texture.
Pollen
This enriched version of Black Bee Honey's Spring honey has a depth of flavour due to the addition of pollen granules collected by bees throughout spring and summer.
Pure British Borage honey, also known as Starflower, this limited release honey is sourced from apiaries in Lincolnshire, Northants and Hertfordshire, and has a delicate, sweet and subtly floral taste.
Seaside
A rare honey variety from hives located on North Norfolk's salt marshes with an incredible and complex salted caramel flavour.
Winter Seaside
This honey comes from hives on North Norfolk's salt marshes where bees forage on ivy and sea lavender, producing fresh, herbal notes and a salty caramel finish.
Black Bee Honey is available to buy at www.blackbeehoney.com. Keep updated with Black Bee Honey via @blackbeehoneycompany (Instagram) and @blackbeehoney (X)