From the passion of the Altamura Philip Ragone the beekeeping company is born: “The Bee in the Garden”.
For three years, the store located in via Pompei 101/103 in Altamura has welcomed lovers of good food to a place where sweetness takes shape, transforming the nectar of flowers into unique honeys.
The philosophy of Philip Ragone it is simple but powerful: respecting nature and supporting the bees’ instincts. This approach results in 100% natural production, free of any foreign substance. The honeys of “The Bee in the Garden” they are not just products, but real sensorial experiences that capture the essence of the flowers and the territory.
The Altamura beekeeping company embraces two distinct territories, Puglia and Basilicata, thus allowing it to offer a variety of honeys with a thousand nuances, but which satisfy every taste. Following a seasonal rhythm, the honeys crystallize at a controlled temperature, keeping the aromas and natural benefits intact.
In the dedicated shop, it is possible to find a wide range of productions, ranging from various types of honey, to royal jelly, from fresh bee bread to honey beer and more.
We interviewed the owner and founder of “The Bee in the Garden”the Altamuran Philip Ragonewho opened the doors of his fascinating world to us.
When and how was your beekeeping company born?
In 2016, simultaneously with the work experience in a professional beekeeping company, and following the achievement of the qualification of doctor of agronomy, the beekeeping company was born “The Bee in the Garden”which then appeared on the market starting from 2018.
How did “The Bee in the Garden” enter the market?
The first to taste the delicious honey “The Bee in the Garden” they were friends and relatives, subsequently the idea was born of offering the products to the general public through retailers and with the company’s participation in events and festivals.
What are the various types and flavors of honey produced?
From the outset, the company wanted to base its work on the diversification of the honey product, through nomadism, the pursuit of the different blooms that follow one another between February and July in the wonderful territories of Puglia and Basilicata. “The Bee in the Garden” includes over 15 types of honey produced, many of which have been awarded nationally since 2018, among which stand out the very rare almond honey, produced in the Mellitto area, the prized asphodel honey produced in the Murgia Altamura area, the inebriating ailanthus honey produced in the Altamura area, the delicious thyme honey, produced in the Matera area.
What are the company’s other products?
In addition to honey, I produce fresh royal jelly, fresh bee pollen, fresh bee bread, beeswax, and 100% beemade comb honey, the jewel in the crown of the product basket, available in over 3 types. Furthermore, honey beer and cosmetic products based on bee products are born from the collaboration with other local and non-local companies. Last but not least, I produce a precious product of the earth, pure saffron stigmas.
It also inaugurated a sales point in Altamura where it is possible to discover every variety of honey.
Yes, on 27 December 2023, after much effort and sacrifice, the new laboratory with adjoining sales point was inaugurated in via Pompei 101/103. The new laboratory will also become a point of reference for the entire regional beekeeping sector and beyond, as it will offer the honey extraction service for third parties.
With “L’Ape nell’orto” he participated in the 41st edition of the national competition “Tre Gocce d’Oro – Grandi Mieli d’Italia, since 1981 “Giulio Piana Award”. Which honeys have obtained the prestigious recognition?
In 2023, the honeys awarded were the summer wildflower honey, also judged to be the best wildflower honey in Puglia, and the clover honey. However, I would like to remember the prestigious awards in 2019 awarded to clover honey as the best in Italy, in 2020 awarded to oak honeydew as the best in Italy, and in 2021 awarded to almond honey as the best in Italy and also unique champion in competition.
May 20th will be World Bee Day, how will you celebrate it?
We will celebrate the world day of this wonderful insect on Sunday 19 May by joining the first edition of the national Open Mielerie project. We will open the doors of our laboratory to the public to give the opportunity to experience, taste and contemplate the treasures of the hive with workshops and teaching. The event will then be repeated, also on November 17th.
What are your future plans and expectations?
The project “The Bee in the Garden” it was also born as a bet with myself: to be able to produce a different, primordial, authentic honey, which gives emotions, while putting my collaborators, the bees, first, through a beekeeping that I like to call sustainable and local . We will work to bring our honey to the catering, tourist hospitality, pastry sectors and wherever there is a desire to use quality honey. My ultimate goal? Bringing the supreme quality of my honeys and all other products all over the world while maintaining their quality, typicality and authenticity.
Tuesday 30 April 2024
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