Sweetree honey scoops another award
Horsham Downs beekeepers Stephanie and Martin Lynch have collected another award for their honey. The couple’s Kirikiriroa Honey has claimed second prize in the Beekeepers Special Reserve section of the National Beekeepers Association National Honey Competition.
Sweetree’s Dried Bee Pollen also won bronze in the national bee pollen section.
Kirikiriroa Honey is produced from 45 hives at three publicly-owned facilities operated by Hamilton City Council — Hamilton Gardens, Taitua Arboretum and Hamilton Zoo. Kirikiriroa is the Maori name for Hamilton. Close to 1700kg of honey has already been produced from the hives.
“This is the first year we have taken honey from the city beehives and it’s fantastic that it should win an award,” Martin says.
The National Beekeepers Association awards are judged purely on the product with no packaging, marketing or gimmicks to detract from the honey. All honey is entered in the same packaging and the products are judged on characteristics such as taste and texture.
The awards’ Special Reserve Category included 12 entries and was held in Taupo in June.
Stephanie says when Martin dropped the zoo beehives into their site adjacent to the giraffe enclosure it was a little surreal to see seven long necks towering above the foliage – “… and 14 large eyes staring at him stock still, watching his every move! That’s a first in beekeeping for him!”
Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley says the hives are a welcome addition to the Zoo’s biodiversity.
“We are proud to be part of a combined effort with Hamilton Gardens and Taitua Arboretum to produce a quality product for people to buy, and our animals, particularly birds and primates, love it too.”
N8N says well done and congratulations Sweetree!
Sweetree’s honey can be purchased via the company’s website – www.sweetreehoney.co.nz – or from The Farm Shop or the Hamilton Farmers Market.
