Seasonal Honey Variations

You may remember that we began our adventure as apiculturists (beekeepers) earlier this year.  But did you know that honey that comes out of a hive early in the season is completely different in color, taste and character than honey from later in the season?  This seasonal honey variation is something I’ve been meaning to share with you for awhile.  I had almost forgotten, until I was putting away a jar of honey and looked to see if it was early honey or late honey.

 

The honey on the left was from our very first honey harvest.  The taste is light, fruity, sweet, but not too sweet.  It’s honestly unlike any honey I’ve had before.

The honey on the right is from the same hive, harvested about 6 weeks later.  It is dark with a strong, sweet flavor.  It almost has a molasses hint to it.  It is also very, very different from even the local honey I’ve eaten before.

It’s amazing to me that two foods that are so different were made by the same bees in the same hive.  I’m just blown away.  I suppose this is what they are talking about when you read “varietal” honey.  The difference is simply amazing!

You can read more about our beekeeping adventures in these posts:
30,000 New Farm Workers
Working the Bees
Swarm!
Swarm Part 2
Don’t worry, BEE Happy! I Finally Caught a Swarm!
More Bees
Hive Heartbreak

So what about you?  Do you keep bees or buy local seasonal honey?  Let me know all about it!

If you enjoyed this post, you may want to follow my Beekeeping Board on Pinterest and also bee sure (sorry, I couldn’t resist) to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a minute of the beekeeping action!  

 

Shared on Small Footprint Fridays Link-Up, the Clever Chicks Blog Hop and the From the Farm Blog Hop!