Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our raw Irish honey and beeswax products.
What is raw Irish honey?
Raw Irish honey is honey that is minimally processed after extraction and bottled without high heat, preserving its natural flavour and characteristics.
What makes Irish honey unique?
Irish honey reflects Ireland's cool climate, diverse wild forage, and seasonal flowering, resulting in distinctive regional flavours.
What is beeswax used for?
Beeswax is commonly used in skincare, balms, soaps, and candles due to its natural, biodegradable, and protective properties.
Is raw honey different from processed honey?
Raw honey differs from processed honey mainly in how it is handled after extraction. Processed honey is often heated and finely filtered to create a uniform appearance and longer shelf life. Raw honey is typically minimally processed, which preserves its natural characteristics such as flavour variation and crystallisation. Both are safe to eat, but raw honey offers a more natural representation of local forage.
What is the difference between wildflower honey and heather honey?
Wildflower honey is produced when bees forage from a variety of flowering plants, resulting in a lighter, more delicate flavour that can vary each season. Heather honey comes primarily from heather plants and is typically darker, stronger in taste, and thicker in texture. Heather honey is often harvested later in the year and is prized for its distinctive character.
Is beeswax natural and sustainable?
Beeswax is a natural substance produced by honey bees as part of the honey-making process. When harvested responsibly, it is renewable and sustainable. Beekeepers typically collect beeswax as a by-product of honey extraction, meaning it does not require additional resource-intensive processes.
Where can I buy raw Irish honey online?
Raw Irish honey can be purchased directly from local beekeepers through their websites or farm shops. Buying directly from an Irish producer allows customers to trace the honey back to its source and supports small-scale beekeeping. Bentley & Sons offers raw honey produced in Donegal with delivery available across Ireland.
How are Bentley & Sons honey and beeswax products made?
Bentley & Sons produces honey and beeswax products using traditional beekeeping methods in Donegal. Honey is harvested seasonally and handled with minimal processing. Beeswax collected from the hives is cleaned and reused to create natural products such as candles and soaps, focusing on sustainability, simplicity and transparency.