Honeybee_ Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper - C. Marina Marchese [0]
Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
Honeybee
Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
C. MARINA MARCHESE
Illustrations by Elara Tanguy
Copyright © 2009 by C. Marina Marchese
All rights reserved. No part of this book, either text or illustration, may be used or
reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher.
Published by
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
151 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
Distributed by
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
Manufactured in the United States of America
Cover and interior design by Susi Oberhelman
All illustrations © Elara Tanguy, except for pages 5 and 32,
which are drawn by the author.
Cover art from Grand Herbier by Pedanius Dioscorides,
Getty/Bridgeman Art Library
ISBN-13: 978-1-57912-815-9
h g f e d c b a
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.
The publisher disclaims any responsibility for any loss, injury or damages caused as
a result of the implementation of any technique, method or advice discussed in this book.
for my honey v-bee
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION: My Sweet Encounter with the Honeybee
CHAPTER 1: My Life as a Worker Bee
CHAPTER 2: Becoming a Beekeeper
CHAPTER 3: Apiology: The Study of Bees
CHAPTER 4: Foundations in Beekeeping
CHAPTER 5: My Queen and Her Subjects Arrive
CHAPTER 6: First Observations as a New Beekeeper
CHAPTER 7: Beekeeping and Honey Throughout History
CHAPTER 8: From Hive to Home: Making and Harvesting Honey
CHAPTER 9: A Master Class in Beekeeping
CHAPTER 10: Honeybees in Autumn: Preparing for Winter
CHAPTER 11: Apitherapy: How the Honeybee Heals
CHAPTER 12: All About Honey
CHAPTER 13: Honey Sommelier: The Tasting of Honey
APPENDIX 1: Deciphering a Honey Label
APPENDIX 2: 75 Varietals of Honey
GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
RESOURCES
Acknowledgments
Gratitude, praise, and recognition to the following people I have been lucky to learn from and work with on this personal journey:
My agent, Coleen O’Shea, and her business partner, Marilyn Allen, both of whom were bee-lievers in this project from the beginning. I am indebted to author Claire Garcia, for her enthusiasm and generous introductions, and to Connie Pappas, for sparking my motivation.
Becky Koh, editor extraordinaire, who fearlessly accompanied me into the hive and also extracted 20 pounds of sticky honey. Her brilliant guidance, editing, and vision shaped my concept into perfection. Thank you!
J.P. Leventhal, who embraced my passion for the honeybee, and everyone at Black Dog & Leventhal who contributed to making this project a success, including Liz Hartman, director of marketing and publicity; Judy Courtade, sales director; and True Sims, production manager. As well as Susi Oberhelman, for her lovely book design, and Elara Tanguy, for her charming illustrations.
Howland Blackiston, who introduced me to the magical world of honeybees. Your mentoring and creative spirit were the inspiration for this work. Grazie mille!
The community of amazing beekeepers I have met on my journeys at home and around the world, who have opened up their own hives and graciously shared their honeybee wisdom. The Back Yard Beekeepers Association and its members, for allowing me into their hive and enriching my journey. The Apitherapy Society, for introducing me to how the honeybee heals. Kim Flottum at Bee Culture magazine, who gave me the confidence to write. Master beekeeper, Ann Harmon, and Alan Lorenzo, bee venom therapist, who read and advised. Honey judges Robert Brewer and Michael Young, both of whom inspired my reverence for honey. Bill and Royal Draper, for answering all my bee questions. Giovanni and Francesco at Bottega della Api, Siete molto gentili. Joe at Puglia Wine Imports.
Vic, who patiently read, forfeited vacations, and put up with my deadlines, yet has not swarmed and continues to keep honeybees. My sister Nicole, for reading. My sister Andrea, for bottling honey. Mom, for her honey recipes, and Dad, who is now a true