Love The Bees Podcast

Taste Honey Like a Sommelier
Flowers, Flavour & the Rapeseed Harvest
Have you ever truly tasted honey? Not just eaten it, but really tasted it? In our Season 2 opener we are diving deep into the extraordinary world of honey, flowers and the hive, with three brilliant guests who will change the way you think about what’s in your jar.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Donegal Bees — supporting Irish beekeepers. Thank you for helping us keep the conversation going.
In This Episode: Marina Marchese — The Honey Sommelier.
Our first guest is internationally bestselling author and renowned honey expert C. Marina Marchese, known the world over as The Honey Sommelier. Marina is a trained sensory expert with Italy’s National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey, and the founder of the American Honey Tasting Society. She is the author of four books — Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper, The Honey Connoisseur, Honey for Dummies, and her stunning new release The World Atlas of Honey. Marina joins us to talk about how to taste honey the way a sommelier tastes wine — using every sense — and why the flower, the season, and the landscape all show up in every spoonful. This conversation will genuinely change how you eat honey .We were able to find Marina's books easily online or check her out at www.honeysommelier.com

Adrienne Kelly — Horticulturist
Can the flowers in your garden actually change the taste of your honey? Our horticulturist Adrienne Kelly joins us to explore the fascinating relationship between what grows in your garden and what ends up in your hive. A must-listen for any beekeeper who has ever wondered whether planting choices really make a difference — and for any gardener who wants to do more for their bees. Adrienne tells us all about 'Mad Honey', a hallucinogenic honey!
Dermot Fanning — Resident Beekeeper
It’s rapeseed season — and if you’re a beekeeper, you’ll know that means one thing: move fast. Our resident beekeeper Dermot Fanning talks us through the rapeseed harvest, why this honey is one of the most challenging and rewarding of the year, and the practical tips every beekeeper needs to stay ahead of the crystallisation clock.
In this episode, you will learn: How to taste honey using all five senses• What terroir means for honey — and why Irish and UK honey is so special; Whether your garden flowers can genuinely influence your honey’s flavour; How to time your rapeseed harvest;
This episode is for you if: You are a beekeeper at any level, a lover of good food and great flavour, or someone who has ever stood in a shop wondering what makes one honey different from another.
A huge thank you to Donegal Bees for sponsoring this season and helping us keep this community growing. Sound engineering by Dr. Caitlin Kelly.
Follow us & get in touch: We would love to hear from you — share your honey tasting notes with us on Instagram @lovethebees.ie_ and tag us. Have a question for our next expert? Send it in and it might feature in an upcoming episode!
Thanks for listening,
Yvonne Johnston

You can find out more information on our Honey Sommelier here https://www.honeysommelier.com/the-world-atlas-of-honey

Welcome to this very special episode of the Love The Bees Podcast! I’m your host, Yvonne Johnston, and I am thrilled to be wrapping up our season with you today. But don’t worry—this isn’t goodbye! We’ll be back in the spring with even more insights and tips from our fantastic panel of beekeepers, bird experts and horticulturists!
So, let’s get into the good stuff! As we transition into autumn—the most enchanting time of the year for me—I can’t help but feel inspired by the beauty of nature winding down. It’s such a gorgeous season to be outdoors, tending to our gardens. And the best part? The work we put in now will pay off when spring rolls around! Joining us today is the brilliant Adrienne, our go-to horticulturist, who’s going to share three essential tasks you can tackle now before the cold settles in for the season. Next up, we’re diving into a fascinating conversation with Colette O’Connell about the Asian Hornet. Colette is going to share her firsthand knowledge about this invasive species, including her experiences—and yes, getting stung! It’s a can’t-miss segment for anyone who wants to know more about this apex predator that has hit our shores. Then, we’ll hear from our dedicated beekeepers, Dermot Fanning and Colm Penston, as they guide us through the preparations for winter in our hives. They’ll also reflect on how their bee season went—trust me, there are some valuable insights here! And lastly, author and bird expert Eric Dempsey joins us to discuss why autumn is his favorite time for birding. He’ll be sharing tips on what to look out for in your gardens this season—whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned birdwatcher!
Now, before we jump into today’s lineup, I want to take a moment to extend a massive thank you to all of you who’ve followed our show and tuned in to our episodes. Your support means the world to us! A huge shoutout to Donegal Bees for their wonderful sponsorship, and of course, a big thank you to Caitlin Kelly for her amazing sound work—without her magical touch, this podcast wouldn’t sound half as good! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
As we close this season, I want to remind you to take care of yourselves over the winter months and, of course, to keep nurturing those gardens of yours. We can’t wait to bee back in the spring! In the meantime, we will be posting on Instagram @lovethebees.ie_
Until then, take care, and I hope your bees over winter well.
Yvonne x

Asian Hornet Resources:
There has been 36 verified sightings of the Asian hornet
2 nests have been found in Cork, both removed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The Public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings with a photo to @[email protected]
https://invasives.ie/species-alerts/asian-hornet/
https://www.irishbeekeepers.ie/blog/
https://www.irishbeekeepers.ie/confirmed-asian-hornet-sightings-in-cork-beekeepers-urged-to-act/

I think you are going to love this episode, it is a fascinating interview with Eimear Chaomhánach about Irish Bee folklore and customs.
Eimear is a beekeeper’s daughter and a student of folklore, and she wrote a beautiful book called the The Keeper of The bees which weaves folktales about bees with memories of growing up in a beekeeping household, collecting swarms with her father and learning how to harvest honey.
A interesting look at the beliefs and traditions about bees and beekeeping.
I hope you enjoy it,
Yvonne Johnston,
Host of Love The Bees Podcast x

In this episode of Love The Bees, join me, Yvonne Johnston for a fascinating discussion with Professor Grace McCormack from University Galway, a leading expert on the Native Irish Honey Bee. In this in-depth interview, Yvonne and Professor McCormack explore what makes our native honey bee unique and delve into the critical need for its protection in today's changing environment. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the role of the Native Irish Honey Bee within our ecosystems and why conserving this species is essential for biodiversity. We chat about the invaluable role of NIHBS with their ongoing work on promoting and conserving the native bee.
Professor McCormack’s research and passion for native bees shines through as she highlights what’s needed to protect these bees which are perfectly adapted to our climate and part of our heritage.
Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or simply interested in learning more about the natural world around you, this conversation promises to inspire and inform. Tune in and discover the fascinating science behind our native bee species and why they deserve our attention and care. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @lovethebees.ie_ to share your thoughts and join the conversation!

In this episode of Love The Bees, we dive into the interconnected worlds of beekeeping, birds, and gardening. Join me, Yvonne Johnston as I chat with experienced beekeepers Dermot Fanning and Colm Penston, where we discuss their honey crops for the year and explore the ways queens communicate with one another.
I'm particularly excited to feature an in-depth discussion with Professor Grace McCormack from University Galway. She sheds light on what makes our native Irish honey bee unique and the critical need for its protection. This extended interview is a must-listen for anyone interested in native species and conservation.
In our gardening corner with Adrienne Kelly, we examine the impact this summer has had on local pollen and nectar availability, focusing again on the importance of native species. To wrap up the episode, Birdman Eric Dempsey shares insights about a remarkable bird that has made a fantastic comeback.
This podcast is made possible with the generous support of Donegal Bees, who have recently launched a popular history and nature trail in Donegal. A big thanks to Caitlin Kelly for her excellent sound work.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the show! Please follow us on Instagram @lovethebees.ie_ and let us know what you enjoyed.
Enjoy the show,
Yvonne and all The Love The Bees team x