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Apiary, honey and other products from South Tyrol’s beehives

Name: Hotel Birkenbrunn
Address: Via Unterbrunnergasse 1, Naz-Sciaves, South Tyrol, 39040, Italy
Telephone: +39 0472 415030

Bees are a “collective” rather than individuals.

“After 50 years of nomadic beekeeping, I could write a book,” said Josef proudly. He inherited his love of bees from his father Karl, who was already an amateur beekeeper at the time. “I started with my first two hives when I was just 12 years old; I was the very youngest member of the South Tyrolean Beekeepers’ Association.”

The hotel now has a large apiary with 100 hives and about 6 million bees.

It is mainly Josef who takes care of it, adopting a natural approach, without the use of any chemicals and with huge respect and sensitivity for these small but crucially important insects.

But Josef has managed to enthuse the rest of the family, who can’t resist the attractions of the microworld of bees: Elisabeth knows all about the nourishing and healing properties of products from the hive, and makes wax sheets, lip balms, and much more. Daughter Marion is committed to organic beekeeping, and her brother Thomas loves to help dad Josef with every aspect of beekeeping management. The partnership between bees and humans is therefore continuing into a third generation.

„If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth,
man would only have four years left to live“

Albert Einstein

Honey and other products from the hive

"Floral" aroma

Apple blossom honey: hazelnut colour, with the scent of cooked apples.
Spring wildflower honey: intense yellow colour, distinctive, aromatic flavour with persistent sweetness.
Rhododendron honey: varying in colour from straw yellow to beige, and with a delicate, fruity taste.
Mountain and high mountain wildflower honey: amber colour, very varied aromatic flavour.
Acacia honey: straw yellow colour, delicate aroma with almond notes, and slight hint of vanilla.

"Resinous" aroma

Woodland honey: dark brown or reddish colour, intense flavour, sometimes slightly salty with a hint of malt and cane sugar.
Lime and chestnut honey: reddish-brown colour, very intense flavour, slightly bitter.

Fortifying

Propolis: taken in the form of a tincture it’s a real natural antibiotic, fighting bacterial infections and strengthening the immune system.

Tasty

Bee bread (fermented pollen/PERGA): has anti-ageing properties, strengthens the immune system and helps prevent tumours.
Energy elixir: a mixture of honey, pollen, bee bread, royal jelly and propolis. A health-giving treatment for young and old.

Nourishing

Our honey-based soaps, ointments and lip balms take gentle care of your body.

Pleasant

Beeswax and wax leaf candles release a delicate aroma.

Curative

In our nearby “bee house”, we offer adults and children the chance to experience apitherapy, breathing in the air and the scents of the hive. This treatment is particularly suitable for anyone suffering from respiratory problems, asthma or hay fever, because it has a soothing and sometimes even healing effect. It is often thought that bees only produce honey, but in fact the beehive is a treasure trove of completely natural products, which have beneficial effects on every part of our bodies. For example, in our wellness area, you can experience the pleasure of our bio sauna with hive air, which offers a very special form of relaxation.

Sustainable

Beeswax sheets: Mother Nature also offers us an alternative to plastic, using totally natural materials such as cotton cloth, pure beeswax and coconut oil. These sheets are perfect for wrapping and storing food.