Ballot Flurin
Ballot-Flurin Apiculteurs is a pioneer in low-impact beekeeping and apitherapy.
Created by Catherine Flurin in 1982, it has been our mission for the last 30+ years to intertwine the well-being of bees, people, and the planet through our practices and products. Guided by this specific set of ethics and goals, we have been at the forefront of sustainable apiculture in Europe since our inception.
About the Brand
In 1976, Catherine Flurin is 20 years old, she is fascinated by the lives of bees and wants to become a beekeeper. Beekeepers from the Nature & Progrès network teach him the basics of this fascinating job, also known as "Shepherd Bee". But it is a productivist beekeeping which is then taught in training center, with intensive breeding methods, sometimes brutal, the use of antibiotics and weed pollutants. Catherine will therefore do the opposite and develop a method of Beekeeping DOUCE® based on respect for bees and their natural biorhythm. A new world is offered to her: that of the people of the Hive, millions of years old, who will not cease to deliver her secrets.
First hives. At 25, Catherine installs her first hives with her companion, Philippe Ballot, also beekeeper, with whom she has three children. The young couple bought a small property in ruins at the foot of the Pyrenees on two hectares of hills. The farm Ballot-Flurin Apiculturists is officially created in 1982 with great ambition: to respect the bees as a true little people 100 million years old, to understand their secret language, and to collaborate actively with the hive, so that it gives the best of itself: honey, propolis, royal jelly ... Concerned with concrete actions, they are among the first to advocate for the practice of organic beekeeping more respectful of bees, and without chemical input.
FAQs
Is raw honey suitable for children?
Raw honey is a recommended food for children and toddlers. It is nutrient rich and contains healthy sugars, also helping to fortify natural resistances and promote easier digestion.
Does honey make you fat?
The sugars in quality honey do not increase the chance of obesity. This is partly due to the fact that the carbohydrates in raw honey are predigested by bees. Consumed in moderation, untreated raw honeys can help increase metabolism.
Why doesn't my favorite honey always look the same?
When harvested, raw honey is always liquid. Its final color and form always take some time to appear, and can be influenced by season, regional origin, or the personality of our hives. The precise texture of a honey cannot be determined before harvest and packaging. Crystalization can also appear when temperatures drop; however this is a sign of a pure, natural honey, as industrially processed honeys will never become more solid.
How do I properly store my honey?
Raw honey is one of the most easily preserved substances in the world. There have been sealed jars of honey found in archaeological expeditions that have remained unspoiled for hundreds of years. Simply store in a cupboard away from direct sunlight, with a closed lid to keep out pests, and it can be safely kept for years.
What does dynamized preparation mean?
Dynamization is one of our methods of maximizing the natural benefits found in raw hive treasures. It guarantees that all of our preparations are made in a way that protects the healthy aspects of our ingredients, using methods such as specialized manual mixing and following biodynamic cycles.
What is propolis?
Propolis is both the mortar used to build the hive as well as one the main way the health of a bee colony is protected. The inside of a hive is warm and humid, and should be highly susceptible to external bacterial infection; however the antibacterial properties of propolis protect against these threats and ensure a vibrant, thriving colony. We only harvest limited amounts of this magical substance each year to ensure the maximum survivability of our hives.