Food Academy

Blarney Bees

We are a small, family-run business with two generations of beekeepers, founded in 2018. Our 100% Pure Raw Irish Honey is crafted by our own Irish Honeybees at our Apiary in Blarney, Cork, in the South of Ireland. The small-batch production method guarantees a distinctive flavour for each lot while preserving the aroma, texture, and taste of raw Irish blossom honey. The distinctive flavour is a result of golden nectar thoughtfully collected from a variety of trees and flowers that the honeybees forage on, including Willow, Crocus, Cherry blossom, Dandelion, Lime, Blackberries, Clover, Primrose, and a wide array of wildflowers. All located in the beautiful natural glacial erosion biodiversity haven of the Lee Valley. Our honey is raw, unpasteurized, and coarse cold-filtered to maintain the integrity of the enzymes and nutrients. 

Discover the perfect balance of sweet and fiery with our Raw Irish Honey infused with habanero chilies and cayenne pepper. Crafted from the nectar of Ireland's wildflowers, this honey boasts a captivating contrast of raw sweetness and the bold, healthful heat of cayenne pepper, offering a unique and versatile addition to your culinary creations. 

Indulge in the exceptional flavours of our Beech Wood Smoked Raw Irish Honey, a masterpiece of craftsmanship that blends the essence of Ireland's wildflowers with a subtle smokiness using a cold smoke process. The deep amber honey, rich in antioxidants and natural antibacterial properties, offers a delightful balance of floral sweetness and earthy undertones. Versatile in the kitchen, it enhances a wide range of dishes and beverages while also delivering a taste of the Irish countryside. Sourced sustainably, this honey is a harmonious union of nature's best, encapsulated in every jar. Experience a uniquely Irish culinary journey with our Beech Wood Smoked Raw Irish Honey. 

Our philosophy is to produce Irish Honeybee Products in the most sustainable ways possible. That means sourcing organic ingredients for our products that are free from chemicals/perfumes and choosing to partner with vendors who are making like-minded sustainability choices, reducing waste, and reusing materials as much as possible. All ingredients are locally sourced, and packaging is made from recycled materials. We also support local non-profit organizations with educational talks on biodiversity and observation hive visits to sites. We support conservation efforts for the native Black Irish Honeybee Apis mellifera mellifera. The Native Irish Honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera (A.m.m.), also called the Black Bee or the Dark European Honeybee, was originally widespread throughout the whole of northern Europe but sadly is no longer prevalent there now, due to hybridization with other sub-species. Scientific research and DNA analysis have confirmed the Irish A.m.m strain to be both pure and distinct in the paper ‘A significant pure population of the dark European honeybee (Apis mellifera mellifera) remains in Ireland.