Four day Face to Face Introductory course into Honey Sensory Analysis

Accredited by the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey :  –Participants who attend the whole course may use this experience to continue onto the Advanced Course – Level II.

Date & Time

• 14th -17th July 2025
• 9am to 1pm & 2:30pm to 5:30pm 

Contents

• Theory
  • Principles of Sensory Analysis
  • Physiology & Perception
  • Honey Sources
  • Tasting Technique
  • Honey & Health
  • Crystallisation
  • Defective honey
  • Law & Labelling
  • Laboratory Characterisation
• Practical
  • An introduction to Sensory experience
  • Aroma classes
  • Using Sensory Analysis to explore Italian Monofloral Honeys
  • Practice with Honey Sensory Analysis

Honey

Honeys tasted will include (but are not limited to):

• Citrus (Citrus spp.)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
• Fir & Spruce Honeydew
• French honeysuckle (Hedysarum coronarium)
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
• Metcalfa Honeydew (Metcalfa pruinosa)
• Lime (Tilia spp.)
• Rapeseed (Brassica napus)
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
• Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
• Sunflower (Helianthus annus)
• Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa)
• Thistle (Galactites tomentosa)
• Thyme (Thymus capitatus)
• Tree Heather (Erica arborea)

Location

The French Institute of Scotland

Cost

£700.00 ( + transfer transfer fees if applicable )

Instructors

Dr Gian Luigi Marcazzan

Gian Luigi Marcazzan is the leader of the Honey Sensory group within the International Honey Commission and the President of the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey . He has been a reseacher and technical manager for honey quality control by chemical and sensory analysis at the Agricultural Research council in Bologna for 27 years. Gian Luigi has served as a panel leader for the International honey competition Biol Miel

Dr Raffaele Dall’Olio

Raffaele Dall’Olio is a beekeeper and animal biologist with a master’s degree in honey bee pathogen diagnostics, skilled in Instrumental insemination of honey bee queens. He has more than 10 years experience in honey bee research and teaching focussing on genetic conservation of honey bee races, detection of pathogens and viruses and improving quality in beekeeping products. He’s a member of the international research networks COLOSS and RNSBB. Raffaele has beefarming experience with 150 hives in Tuscany, queen rearing, and Manuka honey in New Zealand. He is an internationally sought after speaker with talks at Apimondia and EurBee European Congress of Apidology. Since 2005 he has been practicing and teaching Honey Tasting as a panel leader for the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey.

Edinburgh

Considered the most beautiful city in the UK, and home to the Scottish Enlightenment with famous thinkers, scientists, inventors, writers all calling the city home : David Hume (philosopher) , Adam Smith (Father of Economics), David Hutton (Father of geology), James Clerk Maxwell (discoverer of electromagnetism), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ( doctor and author of Sherlock Holmes), Robert Louis Stevenson ( writer of Kidnapped and adventure novelist, most famous for his invention of the fictional pirate genre with his book Treasure Island ) to name but a few. In modern times Edinburgh is well known as the city that gave birth to Harry Potter book with JK Rowling as a resident, as well as the seat of many festivals providing the city with a high density of restaurants, cafes, pubs and accommodation options.

The course will take place in the old town of Edinburgh just off the historic Royal Mile a gently sloping main street connecting Edinburgh Castle ( the cities 1000 year old fortress ) at the summit of Castle Rock with the bottom where Holyrood Palace and the Scottish parliament reside. In the evening restaurants and traditional pubs may be discovered along the wynds and closes of the old town.

Just outside the old town is the newer New Town designed to a masterplan and a UNESCO world heritage site for the largest Georgian town in the UK where trendy bars and restaurants may be found.

During your stay the Jazz and Blues Festival will be in full motion

With the sun setting at 2130h in July you may also have time to take the air on one of the seven volcanic hills that Edinburgh is built around providing lots of green space and ample photo opportunities. So whether you wish to dive into culture, history, food or even springboard north into the Scottish Highlands after the course finishes Edinburgh has something for everyone.

Transport

Air

Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland with flights from most major airlines connecting directly to Edinburgh.

Train

Edinburgh has two Train Stations : Edinburgh Waverley and Edinburgh Haymarket stations.

Edinburgh Waverley is the major train station in the city centre and is only a 20 min walk to the Institute

There are frequent trains to Edinburgh from across the UK and can be reached from London in only 4.5h on the fastest lines.

Coach

Coaches regularly travel to Edinburgh’ St Andrew’s Bus Station from across the UK

Tram

Edinburgh has a single tram line which connects travellers arriving at Edinburgh Airport with the city centre and also stopping at many stops throughout the city.

Bus

The local Lothian bus service is award winning for an excellent service and will get you to most place in the city

Car

Edinburgh is reached via the east coast on the A1 / M1 or from the west coast north up the M6 / A74 and then taking the A702 across to reach Edinburgh.

It is possible to drive up to Edinburgh from the European mainland via the Amsterdam to Newcastle Ferry

It it not recommended to drive to the French Institute as parking is severely limited and pedestrianised scheme / one way flow makes driving in the core of the city centre difficult.

Edinburgh has a Low Emission Zone around the city centre please check your car is compliant before driving into the city’s LEZ zone to ensure you do not get fined.

On street parking in most areas near the city centre is permitted or is paid for between 0800 to 1730h (vary depending on area). Free parking is available slightly further out.

Cycling

Most major streets have a cycle lane and many cycle hire shops offer push bike and e-bike rental service.

Edinburgh is a hilly city and many streets use old fashioned cobbles which can be slippery when wet.

Sea

Edinburgh’s nearest Marina is Port Edgar at the town of South Queensferry. A regular bus service connects the marina to the city of Edinburgh.

A smaller pontoon is also available in the city at Granton harbour

Booking Instructions

Please fill out the registration form

we will then be in touch to arrange deposit of £250.00 and confirm your place on the course

In case of cancellation, the deposit will act as the cancellation fee if notice is received less
than 30 days prior to the start date of the course