Honey Seller

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The Honey Seller: Not Just Another Figure, But a Story That Will Sweeten Your Nativity Scene

Are you looking for something truly authentic for your nativity scene? Let me tell you about the honey seller, a figure steeped in tradition. Forget about sugar cones, those cumbersome blocks that our great-grandparents had to chisel away at. Before granulated sugar made our lives easier, honey was the queen of Madrid’s kitchen, a natural sweetener produced in our lands, hassle-free and always ready to use.

–Honey from La Alcarria, honey...! Get your delicious cheese, cheese...!

A Sweet Journey to Madrid’s Past with the Honey Seller Figure

This small historical detail has a charming connection with the honey seller figure that I'm incorporating into the nativity scene. Before granulated sugar reached our tables in convenient packets, honey was the preferred sweetener because of its accessibility. It was not only more practical than dealing with those intimidating sugar blocks ^[2], but it was also locally produced here, in our lands, adding extra value.

Rediscover the Sweetness of Madrid with the Honey Seller’s Story

The honey sellers were more than just street vendors; they were the link between the countryside and the city, bringing the essence of flowers and the dedication of beekeepers directly to Madrid’s streets. Every gram of honey they sold didn’t just sweeten a variety of dishes, from traditional desserts like torrijas ^[4] and pestiños ^[5], to hot drinks like tea and milk. It was also used in stews and marinades to add a special touch. This honey enriched the lives of the Madrilenians, offering a pure taste of nature in every spoonful. And, while sugar was an imported and quite expensive luxury, honey was part of our culinary identity and accessible to many. This gave the honey seller a very special cultural role: not only sweetening the city’s life with their honey but also connecting the urban rhythm with the flavors of the countryside.

A Figure Full of History and Madrid Tradition

Imagine the scene: the hustle and bustle of Madrid’s streets, the shouts of "Honey from La Alcarria!" echoing in the air as the honey seller, with his beret and small barrel over his shoulder, offered his precious goods. This figure captures that moment, taking you back to a time when honey was not just a sweetener, but a symbol of tradition and community. This link between the city and the countryside is one of the reasons why the figure of the honey seller is so endearing and significant.

Honey Seller’s Traditional Attire and Tools

Typical Attire of the Honey Seller:

• Beret
• Typical gray apron or smock
• Corduroy pants
• Espadrilles

Honey Seller’s Work Tools:

• Small Barrel: A wooden barrel-shaped container, it had a curious lid, one half was fixed, while the other was movable and rotated around a hinge, carried with long leather handles to transport the honey.
• Long-handled Ladle: Used to serve honey to customers.
• Sack: A long, narrow bag made of coarse canvas or linen. Hung over the other shoulder, it contained artisanal sausages and cheeses.
• Roman Scale: Small balance to weigh the items sold.

A Sweet and Natural Heritage: The Importance of Honey in Madrid

Honey is a resource that humans have used to sweeten since the beginning of time. With the arrival of spring and good weather, bees begin their frantic task of producing honey. It’s a labor to which the entire hive dedicates itself with truly astonishing coordination and efficiency. Honey has antiseptic, expectorant, laxative, and diuretic properties, among many others, but we can also choose the type of honey that best suits our tastes or needs because there are many, each with its own qualities.

Madrid is a community with a beekeeping tradition, as shown in the Ensenada cadastre ^[7] of 1751, which recorded 15,699 hives in the community. This tradition is also reflected in the names of municipalities like Colmenar Viejo, Colmenar de Oreja, Colmenarejo, or Pico de la Miel in the La Cabrera mountain range.

Antonio Simón ^[8] produces his honey in Cobeña, sourced from 460 nomadic hives that travel across the Community of Madrid in Pinilla del Valle, Patones, Prádena del Rincón, El Berrueco, Lozoya, Torrelaguna, and Los Hueros. Ecological and artisanal beekeeping practiced by his family since 1897. His grandfather was also a beekeeper and was among those who brought the first hives to Madrid. During peak season, there can be up to 60,000 bees per hive. The types of honey he produces include rosemary, heather, vipers bugloss, blackberry, and multifloral.

The Honey Seller and Manchego Cheese: A Dual Tradition

The honey seller didn’t just sell honey; he also offered Manchego cheese. A sack hung over the other shoulder contained other products like artisanal sausages and cheeses, made by humble rural farmers. Although these products are made throughout the Iberian Peninsula, honey from La Alcarria ^[10], and sheep cheese from Campo Real ^{[ 11]} arrived in Madrid. He also carried two sacks of fabric similar to his smock, where he transported the cheeses. He only brought Manchego cheese, some more aged, some less, but only this type of cheese. You would ask for a quantity, and he would cut it into wedges as is traditional and weigh it.

A Key Piece for Our Castizo Nativity Scene

Incorporating the honey seller into your nativity scene not only adds authenticity but also tells a story rich in culture. It’s a homage to a profession that, although no longer common, was essential to everyday life in Madrid. This figure celebrates the connection between the city and the countryside, resilience, and tradition. With his small barrels full of honey and his constant presence in the streets, he represented a source of a basic and healthy product.

In this figure of "The Honey Seller," every detail has been sculpted with precision to evoke the essence of past times. From his traditional attire to the tools he used, every element of this figure is designed to transport the viewer to an era where honey didn’t just sweeten but also connected.

This figure is not just a representation of a historical character; it’s a symbol of the connection between the city and the countryside, resilience, and tradition. It’s a piece that not only beautifies your nativity scene but also enriches your home with a story that remains alive in the collective memory of Madrid.

Time to Act: Be Part of Madrid’s History in Your Nativity Scene

Soon you’ll have the opportunity to make this incredible figure yours. Once you see it, I’m sure you’ll feel the same connection and admiration as I do. Stay tuned to ensure that this unique piece becomes part of your collection and allows you to relive the history and tradition of Madrid in your own home.

Don't miss the opportunity to add a piece of sweet history to your life!