“Bee pollen has all kinds of vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, and it’s a huge protein source,” says Andrea. “My kids have smoothies every day with honey and pollen.”
Cooks can also add bee pollen to oatmeal or salads. Propolis, a resin-based wax, has antibacterial properties and is blended into nearly all of the Banner Bee’s skincare products.
“A lot of the ingredients from the beehives are helpful to people,” says Andrea.
Chet learned the beekeeping ropes from his hobbyist father. Then, about 20 years ago, he started his own colonies. He and Andrea increased the number of colonies and began selling honey in 2000, followed by the product line.
Today, Chet does much of the beekeeping—a connection to his father, who has since passed away—while Andrea renders beeswax, dips candles, and mixes batches of soaps and lotions at home.
Those beeswax candles, Andrea says, alleviate allergies by emitting negative ions and burning positively charged particles to purify the air.
The Langworthys sell their products at a handful of Montgomery County farmers markets, plus at local specialty shops like the MOM’s Organic Market chain and Meli Patisserie and Bistro in Fells Point.
For more information, visit www.bannerbees.com.
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