"Which is to say Marchese's palate is so finely tuned that she can literally
taste the beekeeper's fear in a smear of honey."
~ Jason Wilson, The Washington Post
As the undisputed expert and queen bee of honey, Carla Marina Marchese is a member of the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey, where she received her formal training as a honey sensory expert. Her book, The Honey Connoisseur co-authored with Kim Flottum (editor of Bee Culture Magazine) parallels the concept of terroir to single - origin honey directly matching floral sources to flavors and conceived the first U.S. honey aroma and flavor wheel. In 2011, Marina establish The American Honey Tasting Society as the leading resource for honey sensory education in the United States. Her third book Honey for Dummies, co-authored with Howland Blackiston will be released in March 2021. Marina is also an accomplished apiculturist and the past president of The Back Yard Beekeepers of Connecticut.
A graduate of The School of Visual Arts in NYC, Marina's background in the arts primed her for the critical skills required to work in a sensory discipline. An avid world traveler, Marina has had the unique opportunity to taste hundreds of new and old world honeys maintaining an impressive private library of honey samples.
A passionate and dynamic, sought-after speaker, Marina shares her knowledge in animated and inspiring presentations —leaving audiences with a fascinating view of the importance of honey bees to our food chain and the gastronomic delight of varietal honeys.
Marina coined the term 'Honey Sommelier' in her first book Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper published in 2009.
They say that honey last forever but in fact it does not improve with age like a fine wine, its color will grow darker and its flavors will fade.
Honey is best consumed young, in season and straight off the comb if you are fortunate to taste this venerable delicacy.
~ C. Marina Marchese