Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest honey cultures. For thousands of years, Indigenous people have harvested honey from sugarbag bees and honey ants which inspired kids TV and Japanese comic books. Australia’s native sweeteners probably predate the honey found in Egyptian tombs, which still proved edible 3000 years after it was buried. Contemporary Australians have found multiple uses for honey, whether in our food, on our skin or in our hair.

This episode features food, travel and cheese judge, Mike Butler; beekeeper and founder of Honey Fingers, Nic Dowse; and co-founder of Walaja Broome Bush Honey, Dianne Appleby (Yawuru). A special thanks to Barnes Naturals; Imparja Television; the National Film and Sound Archive; and the Tasmanian Archives.  

This episode was inspired by items from the Powerhouse Collection, such as a 1931 beehive, Martin Boyd Pottery honey jar and handwritten ‘Lemon Honey’ recipe.  

Culinary Archive Podcast is a Powerhouse series hosted by Lee Tran Lam. Listen to season 1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

Image: Alana Dimou