The Italian name Bēatríche is steeped in the simple culture of the old country and rich with meaning. An amalgamation of the Latin word ‘Viatrix’ meaning ’traveler’ or ’voyager’ and the Latin word ‘Beatus’ or ’blessed’ comes Bēatríche, meaning “Blessed Traveler" or the "One Who Brings Joy".

We could not think of a more fitting appellation to confer upon our special little honeybees who literally give their lives for the greater good of their colony and ultimately for us through the delicious honey they produce.

While each honeybee is important to their hive's overall mission, it is the actual colony that transcends the individual honeybee's life. A honeybee may only live for 60 days, but their efforts, diligent work ethic and impressive commitment to the hive mentality allow a properly managed hive to thrive eternally, a lesson we could all take to heart.

Our family expanded dramatically in 2019 when we brought home our first two colonies and set them up in the backyard of our first home. I wish I could tell you it was sunshine and rainbows (or should I say honeyflows) from the start, but we lost both those hives that first season. Happily we have continued to expand our knowledge and let the bees teach us what they need as well. We have grown from those two backyard hives and now operate two small apiaries out of Washington State. Our original apiary is still in our back yard north of Seattle in Shoreline. And we have recently expanded our operation up to the beautiful Whidbey Island just northwest of Seattle.

Our #1 mission is to care for our bees in the most natural and loving way possible, while helping to support these special little insects against numerous (and often man-made) forces working against them each and every day.

We are supporting that mission with some of the gosh dang best tasting honey around, and while we'd like to take credit for the fantastically delicious honey these little ladies produce, that just wouldn't be right or fair. The average worker bee only makes 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime, and a colony must visit 2 million flowers to make just one pound of honey! Simply amazing. 

While we can't compete with our honeybees impressive ability to turn nature's nectar into tasty sweet honey, we do have a few niffty tricks of our own, including our signature line of infused and spun honeys for you to try.

 Additionally we are working diligently to connect our community with honeybees through educational opportunities including beekeeping courses and new beekeeper mentorship as well as hive hosting opportunities, and hive tour experiences.

We only take the extra honey our hives can spare to share each season. Our honey is never heated, packed full of pollen and just the way nature intended it to be. We are grateful for the chance to share our bees' delicious product and our passion for bees, honey, pollination and nature with our community and you. Enjoy!!

-Alex McNa Owner and Chief Beekeeping Officer, Bēatríche Bees & Honey