Hivelights

Springtime at any apiary is very busy and here at Chinook Honey it is no different. Our last spring feeding was done Apr 7 and at the initial check we have 35 % winter losses. Though it’s better than the 60% losses we experienced last year, we were anticipating a much happier result because the bees were in very healthy shape when we wrapped them last October. So what happened? Well, in most cases it wasn’t the dreaded Varroa mites. It seems that most of the deaths were from nosema. We did medicate for this disease however some of the bees didn’t consume the medication for some reason, even though it was carefully concealed in sugar syrup. So once again we will require replacement hives from New Zealand.

We have been busy getting our equipment ready for the arrival of 100 new packages of bees. They will be arriving Apr 30 and will be ‘shaken’ into their new homes May 1 or 2 depending upon the weather. The following week will be spent unwrapping the hives, feeding them once again and taking a 2nd count of winter/spring dwindling. Though it has been relatively mild the drought conditions have certainly reduced the amount of pollen and nectar available to the bees for early spring feeding. The snow and rain we have just received will help tremendously.

There is a new observation hive in the store. We were able to steal a frame of bees from one of our nearby hives. The original queen was left with her harem so the observation hive bees are now busy making a new queen. At the time of writing the queen pupae looks to be about ½ of the way to full development. So – within another week we’ll know the outcome. Come out and check on her status if you have a chance to visit.

The events we mentioned in last month’s news letter kept us quite busy for the 1st part of April. Read more….

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Buzz Notes

Spring allergies? Try our honeycomb. You’ll be amazed at the results.
New in the store – Beeswax Ear Candles
Back in the store – Simpkins Lemon, Honey & Chamomile Lozenges
Flavours of the Foothills Discount Coupons – click here to download free coupon

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday May 9
Mother's Day!
We have many sweet selections for Mom

Saturday June 12
1st Millarville Farmer's Market
From 8.30 am until 12 pm

Product of the Month

Chinook Honey Fruit Syrups

These versatile syrups are the unsung heroes in the kitchen. We make them with our all natural honey and real fruit – there are no other ingredients so you can be sure of purity. The flavours include Saskatoon, cranberry and black currant and they have so many uses! The obvious choice might be to drizzle some over ice cream or pancakes. For something different try the Saskatoon syrup as a delicious marinade for pork tenderloin or the Cranberry as a glaze for chicken or turkey. For desserts try the Black currant drizzled over cheesecake, or the Saskatoon with crème Brule. And if you enjoy salads use any of these healthy choices in a very easy salad dressing (see the recipe below).Our Chinook Honey Fruit Syrups are available in handy squeeze bears and sell for $5.50 but the best deal is to get 3 for $15.00.

Mead Matters

April has also been a busy month for bottling. The all-new Raspberry Rhapsody is on track to be released late in May. A 375 ml bottle will be available for $15. In addition our long awaited Excaliber which has been aging gracefully for the past year will be released late in May as well. This mead has been made in the Sack style which is sweeter and abounding in honey florals. A 750 ml bottle will sell for $22.50. And a new release of the popular Cherry Mi Amor will be on the shelves shortly too.
In the previous section I talked about the AGC Cooks event where 6 restaurant chefs created beautiful dishes with our mead and comb honey. Here are a few examples (and perhaps inspirations) of how one can use mead in unique ways.
Buckwheat Mead Sablefish
Chinook Arch Buckwheat mead marinated sablefish, sweet potato and coconut purée, fiddleheads, miso grapefruit glaze. From Raw Bar.
Bacon Wrapped Venison Loin
With Buckaroo Buckwheat chocolate sauce and cocoa nibs. From Bonterra Trattori.
Trufa de Chocolate
Truffle chocolate, Bodacious Black Currant reduction, chili powder, cocoa powder, honey comb. From BR& Steak Frites.

Now if that’s not enough to get your mouth watering, you must have just eaten

Bees and Honey in the News

Why herders are turning to the bee
A pastoralist with a riches-to-rags story is now picking up the pieces in unfamiliar territory — beekeeping.
Larinkoi ole Kone, 40, lost all his livestock to an unforgiving drought. Two years ago, he owned 70 healthy head of cattle, but only three cows survived.
(Pic of herdsmen and beekeeper)

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Why%20herders%20are%20turning%20to%20the%20bee%20/-/1056/901320/-/8wd2d8/-/

Cherie's Web Picks

1. ARS Scientists Develop Self-pollinating Almond Trees
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100406.htm

2. Bee Propolis
http://www.parknicollet.com/healthadvisor/HealthLibraryMain.aspx?chunkiid=21542

3. Quality of life improved for Sami Chugg because of 1,500 bee stings
http://www.examiner.com/x-32750-Lima-Multiple-Sclerosis-Examiner~y2010m4d5-Quality-of-life-improved-for-Sami-
Chugg-because-of-1500-bee-stings

4. Urban beekeeper tends hives on downtown Vancouver convention centre roof
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/home_family/urban-beekeeper-tends-hives-on-downtown-vancouver-convention-centre-roof-91767249.html

5. US organics continue to outpace overall food sales
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Publications/Food-Beverage-Nutrition/FoodNavigator-USA.com/Financial-Industry/
US-organics-continue-to-outpace-overall-food-sales/?c=EMlJy6U%2BCPhihUsYp9Frfw%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

Teasing Trivia

Q: What happens to the honey bee when she stings?
A:.A honey bee can only sting once and then she dies because her stinger is ripped out during the stinging process.