All about honey

The many products on display at the exhibition on the sidelines of the Honey Fest ‘12 at Kanakakkunnu Palace are  an opportunity to expand your knowledge regarding the sweetest natural gift and its usages. Apiculturists from various parts of the State have come up with a wide array of value-added-products developed from honey along with the demonstration of honey bees and bee-keeping methods. From eatables to beauty products, the exhibition offers something for everyone to choose from.

Golden Bee Box Industries from Kasargod is exhibiting honey vinegar, made with fermented honey and water. The producers claim that the vinegar would remain fresh for a long time. Next to them, a set of cosmetic and health products await. The stall-keeper at the stall selling face cream made of bee wax, ‘cheruthen’ and other natural ingredients says that one can confidently apply it on skin as it will not cause any allergic reactions. Another product, the ‘natural bee balm’, is said to be an effective pain killer.

There is also a sweet way of beating cholesterol. Pointing towards a healthy delicacy made of honey and garlic, the representative of Bodhana Centre, Thiruvalla says “consuming this on empty stomach early in the morning can help beat cholesterol.” A group from Palode sells ‘cheruthen’, made by very small bees, for Rs 500 per 500 gram and Rs 1000 for a kilogram. ‘Vanthen’ is also available at Rs 200 for a kilogram.

Those interested in bee-keeping too have something to cheer. Khadigrama Honey Centre from the city has put on sales honey bee with boxes priced at Rs 1250. The boxes sold without bees are available for Rs 250. Honey soap is yet another product featured here. Students of Poomangalam UP School in Kannur have also come up with innovative techniques they have been practising in apiculture. Another group from Vellayani has exhibited the materials used for apiculture and also the samples of various types of Indian and Italian bees.

Other than the exhibition, seminars, meetings, training programmes, discussions and workshops are also part of the fest. Honey Fest, jointly hosted  by State Horticulture Mission and Federation of Indigenous Apiculturists, would come to a close on Thursday.