Historical Beekeeping Recipes:
Through our research we have found some items relating to honey that date back to the origins of recorded history. No account of honeybees would be complete without also exploring the various ways in which their chief product, honey, was used. As mentioned on the Honey page, honey can be (and has been) used in just about every possible way. Some Egyptians used honey for beautification, while medieval societies used honey as a hangover cure. We thought it would be interesting to supply some recipes, based on historical practices and recipes, that have been adopted for modern equipment and cooking. We personally have tried the mead recipe and found that while these recipes may be time consuming , they are certainly entertaining. Enjoy!
Name: Martha Washington's Rose Flavored Honey
Recipe Courtesy of the Estate, quoted in Bees in America by Tammy Horn.
Honey was a staple in the early American Diet. One of the first actions of the colonists was to establish an apiary, some towns even had official positions for beekeepers. Danvers , Massachusetts had an established apiary by 1640, and Newbury, Massachusetts hired their own beekeeper John Eales (Horn, 24). According to the American Bee Journal "There is scarcely a village in the country that might not readily keep as many hives of bees as there are dwelling houses in it." Colonists fervently used honey, and even put their own individual spins on it. Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington, is exemplary of this. She is reported to have enjoyed rose flavored honey
Recipe:
1 cup honey
1/2 rose petals
"One should bring a cup of mild-flavored honey to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Turn off the heat as soon as the honey starts to foam up. Stir in a half cup of fresh roast petals. Let the mixture sit for four hours. Bring to a boil again. Pour through a strainer and discard the petals." (Horn, 50)
Recipe Courtesy of the Estate, quoted in Bees in America by Tammy Horn.
Honey was a staple in the early American Diet. One of the first actions of the colonists was to establish an apiary, some towns even had official positions for beekeepers. Danvers , Massachusetts had an established apiary by 1640, and Newbury, Massachusetts hired their own beekeeper John Eales (Horn, 24). According to the American Bee Journal "There is scarcely a village in the country that might not readily keep as many hives of bees as there are dwelling houses in it." Colonists fervently used honey, and even put their own individual spins on it. Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington, is exemplary of this. She is reported to have enjoyed rose flavored honey
Recipe:
1 cup honey
1/2 rose petals
"One should bring a cup of mild-flavored honey to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Turn off the heat as soon as the honey starts to foam up. Stir in a half cup of fresh roast petals. Let the mixture sit for four hours. Bring to a boil again. Pour through a strainer and discard the petals." (Horn, 50)
Name: Basic Mead Recipe
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
Mead is one of the most crucial honey made products. It is believed to be the first alcoholic beverage know to man, which was discovered by a happy accident. Long associated with taverns and Beowulf the beverage has transitioned well into modern times, and was featured in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy quite heavily. The Greeks and Romans thought mead to be the "Nectar of the Gods", divine by nature. Mead comes in many different varieties and flavorings however the more traditionally variety, as will be featured below, is merely honey, water, yeast, and spices.
Recipe:
1 Gallon bottled or filtered wine
5 cups Mild Honey
Juice and Peel of 1 lemon
2 whole cloves
1 Cinnamon stick
1 packets of yeast
Steps:
1. In a large stainless-steel pan, bring the water to a boil, then allow it to simmer. Add the honey, stir, and simmer, skimming off the scum when it appears, until no more scum forms (this can take up to 45 minutes). Turn down the heat and add the lemon juice and peel to the mixture, along with the cloves and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 5 minutes, then cover and set aside to cool to room temperature.
2. When cool, remove the cloves, lemon peel, ad cinnamon stick and skim off any more scum completely.
3. Add the yeast and stir, then transfer into a sterilized 1-gallon fermentation jug with a fermentation lock.
4. Allow to ferment for 48 to 60 hours, until bubbling ceases, and them siphon into sterilized bottles, carefully avoiding the layer of yeast at the bottom of the jug.
5. Seal tightly and store upright in the fridge for 5-7 days before opening. Drink within 2 weeks.
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
Mead is one of the most crucial honey made products. It is believed to be the first alcoholic beverage know to man, which was discovered by a happy accident. Long associated with taverns and Beowulf the beverage has transitioned well into modern times, and was featured in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy quite heavily. The Greeks and Romans thought mead to be the "Nectar of the Gods", divine by nature. Mead comes in many different varieties and flavorings however the more traditionally variety, as will be featured below, is merely honey, water, yeast, and spices.
Recipe:
1 Gallon bottled or filtered wine
5 cups Mild Honey
Juice and Peel of 1 lemon
2 whole cloves
1 Cinnamon stick
1 packets of yeast
Steps:
1. In a large stainless-steel pan, bring the water to a boil, then allow it to simmer. Add the honey, stir, and simmer, skimming off the scum when it appears, until no more scum forms (this can take up to 45 minutes). Turn down the heat and add the lemon juice and peel to the mixture, along with the cloves and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 5 minutes, then cover and set aside to cool to room temperature.
2. When cool, remove the cloves, lemon peel, ad cinnamon stick and skim off any more scum completely.
3. Add the yeast and stir, then transfer into a sterilized 1-gallon fermentation jug with a fermentation lock.
4. Allow to ferment for 48 to 60 hours, until bubbling ceases, and them siphon into sterilized bottles, carefully avoiding the layer of yeast at the bottom of the jug.
5. Seal tightly and store upright in the fridge for 5-7 days before opening. Drink within 2 weeks.
Name: Conserved nuts (Confiture de noix)
Courtesy of Bee Wilson
Honey toasted nuts are some of the earliest confections the use honey, as honey is not necessarily the best ingredient for baking as stated by Laura Mason. This particular confection has its origins from the Greeks, however the recipe is from medieval France.
Recipe:
1 cup liquid honey
15 whole cloves
2 tablespoons slivers of fresh ginger
1/2 pound whole or halved walnuts
Steps:
1: On a low heat in a small saucepan, warm together the honey and spices. Leave the ginger and cloves to steep in the honey for 5-10 minutes.
2: Add the walnuts and bring to the boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the honey seems thick and toffeeish (the soft-ball stage).
3: Spoon out the walnuts and set them to cool on sheets of baking parchment. Warn people not to eat the cloves!
Courtesy of Bee Wilson
Honey toasted nuts are some of the earliest confections the use honey, as honey is not necessarily the best ingredient for baking as stated by Laura Mason. This particular confection has its origins from the Greeks, however the recipe is from medieval France.
Recipe:
1 cup liquid honey
15 whole cloves
2 tablespoons slivers of fresh ginger
1/2 pound whole or halved walnuts
Steps:
1: On a low heat in a small saucepan, warm together the honey and spices. Leave the ginger and cloves to steep in the honey for 5-10 minutes.
2: Add the walnuts and bring to the boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the honey seems thick and toffeeish (the soft-ball stage).
3: Spoon out the walnuts and set them to cool on sheets of baking parchment. Warn people not to eat the cloves!
Name: Hangover Cure
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
As long as there has been honey, it has been used for medicinal purposes. Greeks and Mayans are know specifically for using honey, to support general health. Over time honey has been used for hangovers, constipation, as a disinfectant, for coughs, as a sleep aid, and bladder infections, to name a few.
Recipe:
2 Eggs Raw
1 1/4 Cups Orange Juice
1 Tbsp mild Honey
Steps: Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend to combine.
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
As long as there has been honey, it has been used for medicinal purposes. Greeks and Mayans are know specifically for using honey, to support general health. Over time honey has been used for hangovers, constipation, as a disinfectant, for coughs, as a sleep aid, and bladder infections, to name a few.
Recipe:
2 Eggs Raw
1 1/4 Cups Orange Juice
1 Tbsp mild Honey
Steps: Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend to combine.
Name: Hand-Dipped Beeswax Candles
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
Candles are one of the most significant connections that humans have with bees. Bees were considered sacred because of them, and their wax was the best method for lighting. Other types of candles burned impurely, and smelled foul. Beeswax candles were considered special, and used in important ceremonies and occasions.
Recipe:
18 Oz. block of beeswax, natural yellow or bleached white
Can or heat-resistant container taller than the final candle length
Stainless steel thermometer
Candlewick (the length of two candles plus extra)
Pice of wood or ruler--about 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 foot long
Steps:
1: Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over low heat, then carefully pour the hot wax into the can away from the heat source.
2: Place the can in a heated water bath to keep the wax at a temperature 160 to 170 degrees F. Do not overheat.
3: Cut the wick to about twice the height of the can plus 2 inches and place it around the piece of wood, so the wick hangs down both sides.
4: To Dip two candles at once, lower both ends of the wick into the heated wax for about 3 seconds, so the wick is coated along its full length. Allow the wax to cool on the wick for 1 minute before dipping again.
5: After the first dip, when the wax has cooled a little but is still soft, gently pull the wick to straighten it. After the second or third dip, if the candle is not straight roll it carefully on a smooth , clean surface to straighten it before dipping again. Repeat until candle reaches the desired diameter.
6: Hang the Candles over a rail and let cool, then trim off the candle bottoms to make them flat and cut the top quick to about 1/2 inch.
Courtesy of The Beekeeper's Bible
Candles are one of the most significant connections that humans have with bees. Bees were considered sacred because of them, and their wax was the best method for lighting. Other types of candles burned impurely, and smelled foul. Beeswax candles were considered special, and used in important ceremonies and occasions.
Recipe:
18 Oz. block of beeswax, natural yellow or bleached white
Can or heat-resistant container taller than the final candle length
Stainless steel thermometer
Candlewick (the length of two candles plus extra)
Pice of wood or ruler--about 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 foot long
Steps:
1: Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over low heat, then carefully pour the hot wax into the can away from the heat source.
2: Place the can in a heated water bath to keep the wax at a temperature 160 to 170 degrees F. Do not overheat.
3: Cut the wick to about twice the height of the can plus 2 inches and place it around the piece of wood, so the wick hangs down both sides.
4: To Dip two candles at once, lower both ends of the wick into the heated wax for about 3 seconds, so the wick is coated along its full length. Allow the wax to cool on the wick for 1 minute before dipping again.
5: After the first dip, when the wax has cooled a little but is still soft, gently pull the wick to straighten it. After the second or third dip, if the candle is not straight roll it carefully on a smooth , clean surface to straighten it before dipping again. Repeat until candle reaches the desired diameter.
6: Hang the Candles over a rail and let cool, then trim off the candle bottoms to make them flat and cut the top quick to about 1/2 inch.