thisNZlife

Sweet reward

No two versions of this untouched honey will be the same — and that’s just how the makers like it

UNCUT, RAW HONEYCOMB straight from a hive is usually a beekeeper-only perk, a just reward for the sticky business. But after more than three years’ development, Canterbury bee maestro Jeremy Friend has fi nally nailed bringing that same experience to his customers — no stings attached.

Judges couldn’t fault this “beautiful, gooey, crystal-clear, floral” honey from J. Friend’s 300-odd hives dotted around Canterbury. The honey and its waxy comb are contained within a small wooden frame pulled straight from a hive, tidied up and sealed within compostable cellophane.

“Normally, honeycomb comes out in a big frame and gets cut into pieces and put in a plastic pottle, which is like taking a beautiful, natural product and destroying it by putting it in a petroleum-based container,” Jeremy says.

“We put mini wooden frames in a hive and let the bees do everything else. Every comb is different, and it varies every year. We love it, and it still feels like a treat whenever I have some.”

That’s high praise given that Jeremy and partner Sharyn Woodnorth have been working with honey since 2008, after discovering the richness of regional varietals on a road trip from Auckland to Christchurch. They and their small team now champion, sell and produce artisanal honey under two labels for the local market and overseas. Jeremy says he’d love for New Zealanders to recognize the richness and diversity of our honeys. “Honey should speak of a place and a season. It’s the ultimate gourmet product.”

Outstanding Nz Food Producer Awards

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2022-07-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thisnzlife.pressreader.com/article/283283166344381

NZ Lifestyle Magazine Group