Honey, Tree Saps/Syrup & Alcohol
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Honey
Apiculture is the management and study of honeybees. Beekeeping plays a key role in the production of most fruit and forage crops. British Columbia monitors for bee diseases and pests through bee inspections and the delivery of educational services, including beekeeping courses. A full range of laboratory diagnostic services are also available.
It is a legislated requirement that anyone keeping bees in B.C. and the apiary (hive) locations must be registered with a premises identification [click on beekeeper registration].
More info here:
Beekeeping in BC
Funding Opportunities
IAF – Investment Ag Foundation
Cariboo Regional District
Associations and more info
BC Beekeepers – BC Honey Producers Association
Statistical Overview of the Canadian Honey and Bee Industry, 2023
Tree Saps/Syrup Production
Birch syrup is produced in British Columbia, Canada, primarily in the Cariboo region. It's made from the sap of birch trees, which are tapped in the spring. The sap is then boiled down to create a concentrated syrup.
Production process
Preparation and harvest: Trees are maintained and new ones are added.
Tapping and collection: Tappers use tubing and a vacuum to collect the sap.
Storage: The sap is stored in large tanks.
Boiling: The sap is boiled down to create a concentrated syrup.
Uses
- Birch syrup can be used as a sweetener, glaze, or topping for ice cream.
- It can be used in salad dressings and sauces.
- It can be used in barbeque sauce and candy.
- It can be used in cocktails.
Flavor
Birch syrup has a caramel-like flavor and is not as sweet as maple syrup. The flavor profile can vary depending on the region where it's produced.
More info from FARMED member:
Birch Syrup at Moose Meadows Farm
Other uses of tree saps and resins:
Alcohol Production
British Columbia (BC) produces a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cider, spirits, and ice wines. The province is known for its award-winning wines and craft-brewed ciders and spirits.
British Columbia is home to a strong local liquor industry. As of September 2022, more than 830 manufacturing licenses operate in BC, including breweries, distilleries, and wineries (which includes cideries and meaderies.)
Types of alcohol produced in BC:
Wine
BC produces a variety of wines, including ice wines, which are made from grapes that freeze on the vine before harvest.
Cider
BC produces craft ciders made from local apples.
Beer
BC produces craft-brewed beers, as well as beer coolers and malt-based seltzers.
Spirits
BC produces spirits such as whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, liqueurs, and spirit coolers.
Production Facilities
Wineries: Can produce wine, cider, mead, sake, wine coolers, and fortified wines
Breweries: Can produce beer, beer coolers, malt-based seltzers, and sugar-based seltzers
Distilleries: Can produce spirits, spirit coolers, brandy, and other similar products
Regulation
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) reviews labels and packaging for compliance with the Social Responsibility Criteria for Registration of Liquor Products policy
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring labels comply with Canada Food Inspection Agency rules and regulations
Products must comply with the federal Food and Drugs Ac
How to apply for a manufacturer license:
