The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association is urging locals to ditch imported chocolates and give local leatherwood honey instead this Valentine’s Day.
TBA President Lindsay Bourke said honey has been a symbol of love across cultures for centuries and believes Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate both romance and local beekeepers.
“Across many cultures and traditions, honey is a symbol of sweetness, warmth and devotion, and it’s been exchanged as a gift of affection for centuries,” Bourke said.
He said St Valentine is remembered in folklore as a patron saint of both beekeepers and love.
“So it’s hard to think of a better day to celebrate bees and the incredible produce they help create,” he said.
Bourke encouraged Tasmanians to choose something real over gimmicks this year.
He also said bees make Valentine’s Day possible in more ways than people realise. Honeybees pollinate many flowering plants associated with the romantic holiday.
“When you choose local honey, you’re supporting the people who work year-round to keep bees healthy and productive,” he said.
The association suggests simple ways to incorporate leatherwood honey into Valentine’s celebrations including drizzling it over breakfast foods like yoghurt and pancakes, pairing it with cheese and nuts on a romantic platter, or giving a jar of the good stuff.
Leatherwood honey comes from Tasmania’s unique leatherwood forests in the state’s west and wilderness areas, making it one of Tasmania’s most distinctive food gifts.
