This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Creators of sweet delights, but also guardians of biodiversity, bees play an indispensable role in our lives. To allow us to fully appreciate honey, the precious fruit of their work, activities are organized during the summer months, almost everywhere in our regions.
On May 20, the bee will be celebrated in several countries, on the occasion of World Bee Day, or World Bee Day, in English. Established by the United Nations, this day aims to highlight the importance of this hymenoptera in our ecosystems.
Indeed, bees and other pollinating insects carry out pollination, essential for the reproduction of certain plants, and, therefore, for the production of their fruits. By foraging on flowers to collect nectar, from which they make honey, bees find themselves transporting pollen from one flower to another. Without these insects, no blueberries or zucchini!
Flowering Quebec
Every citizen can take action to help pollinators play this crucial role for biodiversity (and for our pantry!). In particular by avoiding the use of certain pesticides and insecticides, but also by leaving room for honey-producing plants in the garden.
It is with this idea that the Association of Producers of Meads and Honey Alcohols of Quebec (APHAMQ) is launching the Fleurir le Québec movement. Its objective is to encourage people to grow flowers that attract pollinators, during the Spring of Quebec Honey Wines and Spirits, which takes place from May 18 to 26.
“We plan to distribute seed packets, organize information and tasting workshops. We are working with garden centers to create a system for identifying honey plants in stores,” explains René Bougie, president of APHAMQ.
The event is also an opportunity to meet artisan honey alcohol producers and discover their wares. Several meaderies and distilleries offer guided tours for this special week, and activities take place, among others, at the Grand Marché de Québec on May 18 and 19.
The honey shack at Les Petites Écores farm
Newly certified Country Table, the Les Petites Écores farm has put together a menu on the theme of the honey cabin, where more than half of the ingredients are produced on site. “We try to reproduce a sugar shack atmosphere, but with a menu that features honey in various ways, both in the appetizers, in the main meal, and in the desserts. This year, pastured chicken will also be in the spotlight, a poultry whose tenderness and taste are incomparable,” explains Éric Bélanger Laflamme, co-owner of Les Petites Écores farm.
Offered on July 19, 20, 26 and 27 as well as August 16, 17, 23 and 24, this four-course outdoor gastronomic experience begins with a tour of the site, gardens and beehives, accompanied by appetizers.
Hydromel Charlevoix, alcohols with honey from the Charlevoix region
Open seven days a week, Hydromel Charlevoix welcomes anyone wishing to learn about the making of honey-based drinks for a guided tour of the facilities, upon reservation 24 hours in advance. “We show people how we collect the honey and we take them to the vat room, where we offer a tasting of our alcohols,” explains Anthony Dufour, co-owner.
Produced from local flowers gathered by bees from their 450 hives, Hydromel Charlevoix honey is transformed into honey wine, vodka, gin, various honey spirits aged in barrels, and even absinthe.
Workshops for young and old at A taste of honey
Located in Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, in Centre-du-Québec, the Un Gout de Miel honey house offers workshops on different themes related to honey. It is possible, among other things, to discover how the hive works and how bees make honey, as well as learn how to make beeswax candles. The Outing to the honey house trio also allows you to combine two of these activities with a country picnic.
Guided tours in Intermiel
Producer of honey and honey alcohols, the Mirabel Intermiel company offers the public three guided tours per day, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., from May until the end of October. Well protected behind a mosquito net window, you can witness the opening of a hive by a beekeeper. The activity continues in the premises of the distillery and meadery, and with a tasting.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.