The intense heat continues every day, without a drop of rain falling for an extended period. This didn’t happen before; it’s clearly  abnormal weather caused by global warming. As we enter the summer dearth, the bees are becoming quite agitated due to the decline in  nectar and food sources. Every time I check the hives, their behavior becomes more extreme. Their usual calmness is gone, and they’ve  become aggressive, frequently launching attacks to protect their stored honey and guarding against robbing bees from other colonies.  We operate our apiary on the hills of a mountainous area with good airflow, providing highly active Manuka nectar sources. From  experience, I’ve learned that this trend is stronger in Manuka trees growing in harsh, nutrient-poor soils.

It seems that in harsh natural environments, bees naturally develop stronger instincts for self-defense, producing nectar with higher  activity levels. To obtain highly active Manuka honey, the crucial factor lies in the concentration of dihydroxyacetone (DHA)— the precursor to the active component methylglyoxal (MGO)—present in the nectar. Due to the drought, the bees have to travel down  300 meters to the stream for drinking water and then make the long ascent back, resulting in a significant expenditure of energy.

The bees rely on stored honey as their energy source, so I load water onto the pickup truck and place it near the hives as often as possible.  However, with this scorching heat, the water quickly evaporates. Surviving in such harsh natural conditions isn’t easy, but the bees are fighting hard to endure. Day after day, the heat persists, and now water restrictions have been imposed, so washing cars or watering the garden openly is no longer  possible. Cracks have appeared in the ground, cutting through the roots of garden trees, so I’m dealing with removing some of the dead ones.  Due to abnormal weather patterns, winter seems to arrive as soon as summer ends, so I take advantage of this dry season to sweat it out chopping  firewood. My British neighbor, looking exasperated, mutters, “How can you manage this in such unbearable heat?”

I have experienced the power of Manuka throughout the seasons, and I wish to continue living a life enriched by its natural benefits. With Manuka’s strength, I believe in a lifestyle that not only fascinates others but also supports a healthier life, leaving no room for illness. Above all, the provider must  set an example. The president of TCN and all staff members have an obligation to prove that they are free from illness. Moreover, the over 1,200 Customer Feedback clearly highlight the effectiveness of the products. None of these reviews involve  the ‘review for points’ schemes that are common in online sales.

These are genuine comments from our dedicated customers.  Such feedback is truly empowering and a great support for us. As a producer, I have a strong desire to see as many customers as possible enjoy vibrant days thanks to the benefits provided by honeybees.