Welcome to the fascinating world of beekeeping, where each hive is a treasure trove of biodiversity.
At Mel Pirata, we are delighted to share with you the meticulous process that transforms the nectar of flowers into the delicious organic honey that reaches your tables.
The choice of location
It all starts with choosing the location for our apiary.
In the Alentejo, we favour areas rich in biodiversity, far from pollutants and pesticides, where bees can find a wide range of flowers.
This diversity is not only essential for the health of the bees, but also contributes to the quality and unique flavour of our honey.
Life in the Hive
Inside each hive, a highly organised society works tirelessly.
The queen, workers and drones fulfil specific functions, from reproduction to collecting nectar and pollen.
This collaborative environment is essential for the production of honey and the survival of the hive.
Collecting Nectar
Worker bees fly kilometres in search of nectar, using their incredible navigational skills.
When they find suitable flowers, they collect the nectar with their long tongues and store it in their honey stomachs.
Back in the hive, the nectar is transferred to other bees and deposited in the combs.
The Transformation into Honey
The nectar stored in the combs contains a lot of water.
Worker bees help to evaporate this water by flapping their wings vigorously to increase air circulation.
This process concentrates the nectar into honey, which is then sealed with a layer of wax for maturing.
The Harvest
When the honey is ready, it's time to harvest. We do this very carefully so as not to disturb the bees.
The honeycomb frames are removed, the wax is removed and the honey is extracted using a centrifuge.
This process is done to preserve the natural properties and flavour of the honey.
Bottling
After extraction, the honey is filtered to remove any impurities and then bottled.
At Mel Pirata, we use packaging that guarantees the preservation of the quality of the honey, keeping it as pure and natural as when it was in the hive.
From Our House to Yours
The final step is to bring this natural treasure to you. Each jar of Pirate Honey is a celebration of nature, the hard work of bees and our passion for sustainable beekeeping.
At Mel Pirata, we are committed to maintaining beekeeping practices that respect the environment and the bees, ensuring that every spoonful of honey is an authentic and delicious experience.
We hope this article has given you a clear and concise overview of the process that makes our honey so special.
Enjoy the unique flavour of the Alentejo with Mel Pirata!
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