New Local BCause Vendor Alert: Country Bee Honey Farm

Line up of products by Country Bee Honey Farm

"During the initial COVID quarantine my partner and I started a 'pandemic patch' in our garden in hopes of growing some veggies. Out of this new project, we became obsessed with bees and in turn, reignited our love for honey. Country Bee Honey is about as good as it gets! - Mitch

We're BUZZING with excitement (and we won't be apologizing for the terribly predictable pun) to announce Country Bee Honey Farm has joined the BCause family! Made as a family on their 11 acre farm in Saanich, their honey is next-level delicious.

Country Bee Honey Farm's Origin Story

 

In 2009 Lindsay and Jason Dault started their Vancouver-based business Urban Bee Supplies. It started in a 9’ x 12’ suite at the back of their house and quickly expanded to a warehouse in Ladner B.C. Once the business was thriving they decided to take a giant leap of faith and do what they have always wanted to do, purchase a farm and leave the corporate life behind. They sold their home in Tsawwassen and purchased an 11 acre farm in the town that Lindsay grew up in.

 

Since then, Lindsay and Jason have crafted a beautiful space where everyone is welcome to explore the gardens, check out the animal pens and sit and relax while enjoying a coffee and a honey treat! 

Meet the Dault Family

The Importance of Bees

It's easy to brush bees off as pests thanks to their association with wasps. But bees, along with other pollinators, are crucial to our very existence and no, that isn't an exaggeration.

 

While that one dystopic episode of Black Mirror (Season 3, Episode 6 'Hated in the Nation', available on Netflix if you're curious) suggests that it may be possible to pollinate crops with robot bees in the future, if you know the episode we are referring to, you'll know that perhaps we shouldn't rely on such a thing and should instead work to protect our bee population however we can.

 

Without bees, growing fruits and vegetables would become increasingly more difficult which would impact humans, but also a vast majority of animals that rely on plants to survive too! Luckily, bee experts like Country Bee Honey Farm are helping to educate, preserve and grow our local bee population!

Country Bee Honey Farm Owner, Lindsay tending to bees
Just some of the beehives maintained by Country Bee Honey Farm throughout the Saanich Peninsula

What is the Difference Between Creamed Honey and Liquid Honey?

You're probably most familiar with liquid honey. The commercials of the wooden honey dipper dripping with golden syrup. But did you know that creamed honey is also an option?

 

Liquid honey is what pours out of a hive. Just like the old Winnie the Pooh cartoons showcased. Carefully collected from the hives around the Saanich Peninsula by the dedicated workers at Country Bee Honey Farm, there's a reason why many consider honey 'liquid gold'. However, the biggest downside to liquid honey? Overtime it eventually crystallizes (this is a good sign that you have pure honey, by the way). If you're a regular honey lover, you're no stranger to reheating the jar to make it easier to pour however creamed honey fixes this problem.

 

Named for its creamy texture and not because it has added dairy, creamed honey will never crystallize. To create creamed honey, liquid honey is slowly conditioned by monitoring heat over time to promote the development of tiny crystals instead of the larger crystals formed by liquid honey solidifying at room temperature.

 

The ultimate difference comes down to texture. The micro crystals formed to create creamed honey keeps it soft and spreadable like room temperature butter. It will never drip or form into a hard block like it's liquid counterpart. Better yet, you can use creamed honey exactly as you would liquid. 

Delicious Honey Recipes

Vanilla Panna Cotta With Strawberry Rosemary Compote

 

A light, creamy and sweet Italian dessert with a rosemary twist. Sweetened by Country Bee Honey Farm's honey!

 

Ingredients

  • 1 packet gelatine
  • 2 cups 35% cream
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 1/4 cup Country Bee Raw Creamed Honey
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 10 pureed strawberries (approx. 1.5 cups)

Preparation

 

Panna Cotta

  • Follow gelatin instructions as per package and put aside.
  • Place the cream and the sugar in a saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cream, and then add the pod.
  • Gently bring to a simmer, stirring so the sugar dissolves.
  • Discard the pod and pour the mixture into a stainless steel bowl.
  • Stir in the gelatin liquid and whisk until dissolved.
  • Place the bowl over a second, large bowl of ice and whisk gently until the cream mixture cools and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Divide the mixture among 6 ramekins and chill overnight.
Vanilla Panna Cotta With Strawberry Rosemary Compote

Compote

  • Combine the pureed strawberry, creamed honey and rosemary in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half
  • Remove rosemary while still warm and liquid. Set aside to cool.

Plating and Garnish

  • Place the ramekins in warm water to help release from the sides.
  • Use a knife to gently pull the panna cotta from the side of the ramekins, turn upside down and gently place on a plate.
  • Put a generous dollop of puree next to the panna cotta and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a quartered strawberry
  • ENJOY!

Honey Pumpkin Pie

 

We hold a contentious view... we don't believe that pumpkin pie has to be a seasonal dessert. If you're on our side, this is the perfect pie recipe for you!

 

Ingredients

Preparation

 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400°F
  • Beat the eggs lightly in a large bowl.
  • Blend in pumpkin, milk, cream, honey, spices and salt and pour the filling into the pie shell.
  • Cover the edges of the shell with strips of foil and bake at 400°F for 35 minutes.
  • Remove the foil, and continue baking for 15 more minutes or until you can insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.
  • Let it cool, and it’s ready to serve. Best served with whipped cream or ice cream.
Honey Pumpkin Pie

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