After meeting beekeeper and chocolatier Susan Brown, and after sampling her handmade honey bon bons, I started dreaming of keeping bees in my own backyard. Susan’s combination of honey and black chocolate is a brilliant concept, and the resulting flavors in her Mademoiselle Miel honey bon bons are so delightful and intense. Each honey bon bon is hand-decorated with 23K gold leaf resulting in little, edible works of art. As a photographer and food lover, I was thrilled when Susan asked me to make some photographs of her beautiful bon bons and honey.
Brown’s bees live in hives (patterned after those in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris) on rooftops in both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. As she’ll tell you, these bees are amazing little creatures that can travel 2-3 miles from their homes in search of nectar. In winter the bees survive and stay warm by clustering together in the hive, generating heat with their wings. Honey bees work together so efficiently that each hive can produce 60-100 pounds of surplus honey – an incredible amount given that the bees must visit more than 2 million flowers to make a pound of honey.
It’s no wonder Mademoiselle Miel’s honey-filled chocolates taste so special!
2 Comments
i want to keep bees this summer! these look delicious!
Oh Jennifer, boy am I glad I came for a visit today!!! My life has been a bit hectic due to our new puppy. Yes, the house was too quiet without Griffy. My work is sliding slightly but it might have to wait a little longer while I find myself some honey and chocolate. Miss you girlfriend and hope all is well with you