Bees and bee products | Hakolan Marjatila | Luomumarjat, Luomuviljat, Villiyrtit, Mehiläistuotteet, Kahvila, Janakkala, Hämeenlinna

"When we were digging the first raspberry beds, the benefits of animal pollination in raspberry cultivation came up in conversation. As luck would have it, on the eve of Midsummer, a buzzing swarm of bees flew into the yard. The swarm settled on the chimney of the old barn. I called Martti Jauhiainen, a beekeeper who lived in the village, and he came to collect the swarm from the roof.

I consider this event to mark the beginning of beekeeping at the farm. I first learned hands-on from Martti and became a professional beekeeper, graduating from Mustiala. Fueled by my immense enthusiasm, there were sometimes as many as 40 bee colonies buzzing around the farm and the surrounding area, but due to the peak season for both berries and beekeeping, the number of colonies has been significantly reduced. My passionate drive and thirst for knowledge about pollinators has not diminished.

Since my graduation, I have shared the joy of beekeeping through beginner and advanced courses, as well as lessons for professional beekeepers, both theoretically and practically. In 2021, I received a silver merit badge from the Finnish Beekeepers' Association for encouraging others to take up beekeeping. - Outi"

Honey from Berry Fields

Bees on our farm pollinate the berries, fruits, and wild herbs. The growing season starts early in the spring with willows, maples, and dandelions. In turn, the bees pollinate cherries, currants, plums, apples, raspberries... Between the berry beds on the farm, you can also find bees' favorite treats, such as white clover. Additionally, we strive to grow long-blooming plants for the well-being of the bees. The rich nectar from the berry flowers gives our honey its distinct taste.

Beeswax Candles

In a small candle workshop in the yard cabin, we make 100% beeswax poured and rolled candles year-round.

We melt and color the beeswax in small batches, ensuring that each candle is unique. The candles are poured into silicone and hard plastic molds, which have already withstood thousands of uses. Beeswax has a low melting point, so we always make candles in the natural color of pure beeswax. However, it’s nice to color the candles according to the season – white and red for Christmas, spring green and soft pink for Easter, deep magenta, ochre, and dark green during the autumn harvest season.

Hakola Berry Glögi

Cold-pressed, sugar-free organic juices, honey, and a spiced brew made from fresh ginger, dried cinnamon, and cloves make up the recipe for Hakola Berry Glögi in its simplest form. This spiced holiday drink, made since 2011, consistently sells out before Christmas each year. It’s worth getting it early! The first batches of glögi are made annually for the Tohijärvi Organic Market, which takes place on the last weekend of September in Lammi, Evo.

Glögi Honey

Glögi Honey is the answer for all Christmas fans! You can drizzle it into coffee, tea, berry juice, meat marinades, or even onto roasted root vegetables. A dedicated glögi honey fan will spoon it straight into their mouth!

Using Honey in Baking and Cooking

A piece of paradise settles on the summer morning breakfast table as freshly extracted honey drips over fresh berries, organic berry muesli, and yogurt. It’s all there!

Honey is also perfect for sweet desserts, not to mention in baking. During honey season, honey is added to cake batter or drizzled over pavlova with berries – liquid gold. Salt, herbs – both wild and cultivated – and honey form a combination that makes meat sauces, vegetable dishes, or savory pies truly special. It tastes like the delightful countryside!