Scottish Honey - Edinburgh

[boywonder]

OK guys, so, also taking note of https://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40856 .., but really mainly as I am Edinburgh 3 days a week and want to try some good raw local honey, could any natives please tell me where I can source this ? - i.e. from a local retail outlet.

I have hunted high and low, scouring shops which claim to sell it (e.g. http://newleafcoop.co.uk/our-products/scottish-products/) ... but am only coming across imported honeys, or those from the mid-sized producers such as Hoods or WS Robson (which I am sure - whilst lovely tasting - have probably been pasteurised).

Otherwise, I might have to scour every Scottish foods shop on the Royal Mile in the vain hope of finding something a bit more small-scale and unique ... Cheers

 

[Into the lions den]

OK guys, so, also taking note of https://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40856 .., but really mainly as I am Edinburgh 3 days a week and want to try some good raw local honey, could any natives please tell me where I can source this ? - i.e. from a local retail outlet.

I have hunted high and low, scouring shops which claim to sell it (e.g. http://newleafcoop.co.uk/our-products/scottish-products/) ... but am only coming across imported honeys, or those from the mid-sized producers such as Hoods or WS Robson (which I am sure - whilst lovely tasting - have probably been pasteurised).

Otherwise, I might have to scour every Scottish foods shop on the Royal Mile in the vain hope of finding something a bit more small-scale and unique ... Cheers

I have no direct connection with either of these businesses but.......knowing many of the beekeeper-packers as I do I am sure both these businesses will be rather offended at your assumption.

I know of NO Scottish packer who pasteurises their honey. All do it in much the same way. No matter what honey they are packing.

If you are in doubt call them. I am sure Stuart at Hoods or Willie at Robsons will be very quick to put you right.

All our honey leaves here never even heated....the packers specify from our stockholder it should be so. If they were going to pasteurise it afterwards they would not be so fussy.

Do not do any jars at all btw...so cannot help you myself.

 

[Poly Hive]

As above.

Assume = I'll make an ass out of you.

Pasteurised forsooth!

PH

 

[boywonder]

... well you can't be too careful with honey from foreign lands [emoji3] I did buy some Hoods, and contacted Stuart via the Hoods website, but got no response ... Probably as he was so offended by my insinuation !

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[Into the lions den]

Also...while Robsons are a fair scale, Hoods are much smaller...a one man artisan business. unless you are looking for the product of a micro scale enterprise of course, who are unlikely to be able to offer the regularity of supply to keep a retail outlet of any size happy. Once you drop below the Hoods level you are into producers who may not even have proper facilities and possibly not even listed as a food premises (and thus never checked) by the local authority.

 

[Poly Hive]

Does that really matter though Murray. I am hygine trained, have had 5* hygiene ratings consistently from my previous local authority and so feel I have a handle on food handling so to speak.

I am hmm a one man artisan I suppose and to my knowledge my output ain't killed or even mildly poisoned anyone yet.

So the problem is?

PH

 

[psafloyd]

I have hunted high and low, scouring shops which claim to sell it (e.g. http://newleafcoop.co.uk/our-products/scottish-products/) ... but am only coming across imported honeys, or those from the mid-sized producers such as Hoods or WS Robson (which I am sure - whilst lovely tasting - have probably been pasteurised).

Surely a call to one of those mid sized producers would give you the answer to your query about pasteurisation?

 

[psafloyd]

Does that really matter though Murray. I am hygine trained, have had 5* hygiene ratings consistently from my previous local authority and so feel I have a handle on food handling so to speak.

I am hmm a one man artisan I suppose and to my knowledge my output ain't killed or even mildly poisoned anyone yet.

So the problem is?

PH

I am the same position, Poly. I don't produce in volume from my kitchen, but am registered and have had two inspections in the last four years, both of which got me five stars.

It's not rocket science, but I expect it will become a little more complicated next time as we've since got a dog.

Though, to be honest, I'd have thought the inspector would be happy with the application of common sense that keeps the dog out while processing is undertaken.

 

[Eyeman]

Also...while Robsons are a fair scale, Hoods are much smaller...a one man artisan business. unless you are looking for the product of a micro scale enterprise of course, who are unlikely to be able to offer the regularity of supply to keep a retail outlet of any size happy. Once you drop below the Hoods level you are into producers who may not even have proper facilities and possibly not even listed as a food premises (and thus never checked) by the local authority.

My retail outlet stocks a number of different types of honey, including some from the region and ours from the locality. We supply usually within a week of them running out. They understand the concept that the honey is a precious resource and not mass produced so they enjoy telling their customers the same.
They are just pleased whenever we can stock them up.
Perhaps other retail outlets need to be educated?

So others can compare our business to their own we supply approx 2000 lb of honey per year in 8oz jars.

 

[Into the lions den]

Gee.....who all failed to notice the word 'may' in there?

2000 jars aint micro either...talking about the up 6 or 10 hives type setup who might be doing it all in the garden shed.............if you are registered, whether checked or not.....the part after 'may' plainly does not apply.

 

[Into the lions den]

Perhaps other retail outlets need to be educated?
.

You are flying against the wind with that one....shops do not like 'out of stock' situations, and the bigger they are the less tolerant they are. Empty shelves are non earning shelves, and you just leave the door open for other vendors to take your place. You can develop a special place with specialist retailers and if so good on you, but its a tough world out there for the shops as well as the beekeepers...we need to understand THEIR needs as well as our own.

VERY glad I don't swim in that pool any more......not done single jar since around 2003.

 

[Finman]

... well you can't be too careful with honey from foreign lands [emoji3] I did buy some Hoods, and contacted Stuart via the Hoods website, but got no response ... Probably as he was so offended by my insinuation !

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You must talk with food stuff inspectors and their office vets.

 

[Eyeman]

Gee.....who all failed to notice the word 'may' in there?

2000 jars aint micro either...talking about the up 6 or 10 hives type setup who might be doing it all in the garden shed.............if you are registered, whether checked or not.....the part after 'may' plainly does not apply.

2000 jars is looking like small scale along the Mersey valley this year. All you seem to need is a strong, healthy hive and keep the supers coming!

 

[Finman]

2000 jars is looking like small scale along the Mersey valley this year. All you seem to need is a strong, healthy hive and keep the supers coming!

2000 jars from a healty hive. Not bad!

10 kg/hive. The rest buy from other beekeepers.
.

 

[JWF]

Though, to be honest, I'd have thought the inspector would be happy with the application of common sense that keeps the dog out while processing is undertaken.

We have a micro bakery which has 5 stars, and I do all my honey processing in the same space.

With regards to pets - you need to exclude them, clean down thoroughly, carry out your food business and clean down prior to letting your furry friends back into your kitchen. A bit of a pain but not too difficult.

 

[Poly Hive]

pasafloyd? We achieved a consistent 5* rating with two dogs on the premises.

They were never considered due to being behind a door to our personal space and yes the inspectors met them.

PH

 

[psafloyd]

pasafloyd? We achieved a consistent 5* rating with two dogs on the premises.

They were never considered due to being behind a door to our personal space and yes the inspectors met them.

PH

Poly, I don't expect it to be a problem, because once you explain your process, they make an assessment based on that.

We simply removed her to the conservatory, cleaned the kitchen, extracted and let her back in. Only took about four hours or so, and she didn't seem too put out by it.