Breakfast in Istanbul

[Neils]

Had a nice surprise a breakfast this morning, naturally the phone was charging so I couldn't get a snap. On the table was a huge deep langstroth comb of honey! Lovey thick honey fresh off the frame.

[Neils]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5485532273_cb587b9179.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33552301@N05/5485532273/)


Full on blurry cam photo I'm afraid.

[Neils]

And while I was on my travels around the city I thought I'd seek out some honey for sale:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5485532845_8f8364b754_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33552301@N05/5485532845/)
Comb honey in one of the local markets. These all seem to be cut comb of various different sorts. 78TL a kilo for the most expensive loose comb stuff (£31!)

And some more from the same place:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5486128078_02aa77a97b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33552301@N05/5486128078/)

And in the spice market I came across some more, though this is more of a tourist market. Even so, £12 a pound for honey, I wouldn't say no to being able to sell mine at that price:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5486128666_5c04a5137d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33552301@N05/5486128666/)

There were a lot of sections in evidence as well, this is the first time I've actually seen them used in anger and a couple of places making the point that they used no foundation (artificial wax) in the sections.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5485534585_88feb23ed5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33552301@N05/5485534585/)

[gavin]

That is some price for cut comb! On the other hand, our local association treasurer sells a full super of naturally drawn comb of suburban flower honey to a hotelier for £200! It mostly gets used on cheese boards in the restaurant apparently.

I see that the Turks are happy to sell comb that has not been properly sealed.

[Neils]

Seems that way, they seen to price a section based on the weight and the aesthetic. A full section, completely sealed gets the best price which seems to be about 25TL and it goes down from there.

[Neils]

[edit]figure I probably should point out that I'm aware that uncapped honey might have issues other than aesthetics.

[Neils]

Totally unrelated to beekeeping or honey but I managed to get married in Istanbul this afternoon! And I thought I was mad for taking on bees.

[chris]

Congratulations.

[Jon]

[edit]figure I probably should point out that I'm aware that uncapped honey might have issues other than aesthetics.

So it somehow induced you to get married?

[gavin]

Brilliant! Well done young man.

May you both raise lots of healthy brood and be able to stash away lots of stores.