We had previously touched upon the subject of our great friends and benefactors of humanity, namely the few hundred thousand bees spread across more than 500 hives on our rooftops, possessing a permanent residence permit in Brussels (read the article "Antophila...").



This article focuses more specifically on the legendary elixir that the Gods of Olympus were already using, on this golden substance whose history testifies to its presence several thousand years before our era.
Honey gradually reveals its secrets to us as science makes discoveries.
I am personally convinced that this life nectar is far from having revealed all it can bring us, both in terms of nutrition and in the medical care or extraordinary benefits it offers to the skin.



Honey is literally a gift from nature, a precious gift that, throughout its long history, has inspired numerous tales, stories, and legends unique to each culture. In Greek mythology, for example, Apollo is considered the first beekeeper. According to one of the mythological legends, bees secretly abducted Zeus when he was a child from the cave of Mount Ida where he had been entrusted to the Nymphs. In ancient Egypt, honey was already cultivated and widely used in various aspects, including funeral rites, women's care, medicine, and the nutrition of children.

The Cretans, on the other hand, spoke of a sacred cave where time ceases to exist, and where immortal bees watch over.
At the heart of many stories, honey and bees also feature in poetic tales, told to both young and old.
The symbolic aspect of the bee even finds an application in mathematics! The number PHI, equal to 1.618..., represents the golden ratio or the "Divine Proportion of Nature."
This number can be obtained by dividing the number of worker bees in a hive by the number of drones, and this holds true for all hives!



Let's talk about its imperishable aspect: honey remains edible without any limit; time has no hold on it.
Admit that this property gives it a touch of magic and a natural tendency to use it as an anti-aging serum, doesn't it? All major cosmetic houses, without exception, study honey with great enthusiasm, trying to find the perfect formula for its applications in molecular preservation.
Eternal youth might be revealed in the depths of this nectar that bees have been offering us since time immemorial.
On the healing side, too, honey is simply magical! Recognized today as the most powerful natural substance to promote healing by many experts, it has the property of renewing the body's cells. Yet another useful property for a possible youth cream formula, not to mention its incredible antiseptic properties, including its ability to regulate intestinal flora and boost our immune system!



I can only encourage you not only to consume good honey—I say this because all honeys are not equal, far from it—but also to support and get to know the many creative initiatives to promote this precious elixir of good health in Brussels, here is a clever list to better know:

UKeepers is a Brussels-based initiative dedicated to the development of local beekeeping. Each year, they offer an outstanding quality of honey, free from any pesticides, harvested from the rooftops of Brussels!
For your information, the 2023 harvest has already been sold, and reservations are open for the 2024 honey. If you are interested in supporting their efforts in the development of Brussels beehives, feel free to contact them!

Bees-Api: Genuine Honey Harvested from the Rooftops and Gardens of Brussels! The renowned Brussels palace, Hotel Amigo, is a proud supporter of their initiative, contributing to the development of the municipal apiary and the production of an incredibly high-quality honey. You too can join in by adopting a hive for your rooftop, garden, or business!

Miel de Noire is an initiative and a brand of specific honey – that of black and Belgian bees! The black bee has been part of our ecosystem for about a million years. Get acquainted with this exceptionally unique and 100% Belgian honey!

Finally, spotlight on Dieter Helemans, a ceramicist, beekeeper, and photographer—a true artist. He tends to bees, transforms them into photographic works of art, and produces extraordinary Brussels honey. A must-know talent!