by Andrew Coté
Continued thanks to the talented beekeepers and educators at Cornell’s Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Research, where I am currently trying to finish the master’s in beekeeping program. Thanks to Dr. Tom Seeley and Emma Kate Mullen and Shelley Stuart for their help and inspiration.
My great affection and appreciation to Barbara Stein, who, while acting as my academic adviser when I was studying in Kyoto, was the first educator who ever told me that I had a knack for writing. I am glad we are still friends, even though you knew me during my most obstreperous years. Thanks also to John Frederick Ashburne, my subsequent academic adviser in Kyoto and a writer himself. Though he thought I was “a bit of a wanker” then, and referred to me as “Andrew the dog-faced boy,” I am glad we are pals now.
Many thanks to those who have encouraged me, provided free legal advice, brought me a bottle of bourbon on a cold market day, helped me find information relevant to this work—or otherwise contributed to this book or the stories herein: friends and family like cousins Peter and Janet Jacobs, Lulu Yee, Hlynur Guðjónsson, Bill and Hope West, Kristi Mackin, Betsy Golden Kellem, Jeanne Laramée, Katherine and Scott Morris, Tom Wilk, Michele Seelinger, Matt Rich, Anna Veccia, Lisa and Rick Agee, Blaine Kruger, Martin Cook, Jo Greenspan, Nils Simon, Heather Fitzgerald, Katherine Gruneisen, Maura Keating, Monica Flores, Simone Drost, Elliot Zelevansky, Gustavo Pita Céspedes, Koji Inoue, Genki Eguchi, and, of course, the Fabulous Pintos, Dennis, Joy, Sasha, and Tristan.
Thank you to big-shot Instagram influencer Eva Chen (@EvaChen212) who posts (alas not exclusively) about my honey and beekeeping—especially the matcha-infused honey. Until recently I had no idea what an influencer was, but I am glad that you like what I do and what my bees make, and that you tell others about it. It is fun learning about your world. Thank you for not using your considerable powers for evil. Keep spreading sweet love. I hope Ren and Tao finish their lunches today and that Tom perfects his granola recipe.
Sincere thanks to the beekeepers and beekeepers-to-be with whom Bees Without Borders has worked in all corners of the world. We will keep trying to elevate others through beekeeping endeavors.
Most of all, of course, I want to thank the loves of my life: Yuliana, who for reasons known only to her, has not yet absconded from me, and to my much treasured son, Nobuaki. There is no word or sentiment in any language strong enough to convey the depth of my love for them. Thanks for giving me the space and encouragement to write this book, even though, thinking back, I wrote most of it in early mornings while you were both still sleeping, so, frankly, I am not sure if either one of you should get too much credit. But thanks for being there.
And though they do not read, and worse still, do not buy any books, I wish to go on record as thanking the honey bees themselves. They are magical creatures, and on the backs of their wings I am able to cobble out a living doing something I love. So thanks, bees, for tirelessly and selflessly working yourselves to death so we can all sweeten our tea and saturate our toast with your vomit.*
* Honey isn’t really bee vomit, but this is poetic license.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANDREW COTÉ is New York City’s most well-known beekeeper. A fourth-generation apiarist, he is founder of the New York City Beekeepers Association, executive director of the nonprofit Bees Without Borders, polyglot, Fulbright scholar, black belt in aikido, and former college professor. Andrew and his bees have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, CNN, CBS, Cake Boss, Dr. Oz, Nightline, Good Morning America, and Today, and in The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New York Times, HuffPost, and many other news outlets around the world. Andrew also runs Andrew’s Honey out of the NYC Union Square Greenmarket.
AndrewsHoney.com
Instagram: @AndrewsHoney
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