Jun
27
Written by:
Lady Spirit Moon
6/27/2011 4:43 PM
Yumiko is a Japanese beekeeper. I met her at the Terre Madre, Slow Food International, Conference in Turin, Italy, 2010. She's holding a picture of a Bald Face Hornet nest exposing white larvae. Dead wasp larvae are placed in a container, filled with honey, and let set for abut 3 months. When I asked why, her partner chimed in, "It takes that long for the honey bring out the properties of the wasp." He added, "The Wasp Honey is used for muscle rejuvenation and fatigue." I thought about my sore muscles from walking around Turin and how tired I was. I closed my eyes and extended my fist. After licking the honey off the top of my hand, my face must have registered the taste of Listerine. "That's the chemicals from the wasps abdomen." Like I needed to know that.
When I walked back through the building again, I noticed her over at the International Honey Bar and remembered the Wasp Honey. Imagination or no, there was a subtle difference in the way I felt. I walked over to her, smiled, and held out my fist. I closed my eyes when I said, "Double dose me, baby."
They also keep rooftop honey in Japan.
Copyright ©2011 Lady Spirit Moon