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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: DayValleyDahlias on October 13, 2008, 07:29:57 PM

Title: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: DayValleyDahlias on October 13, 2008, 07:29:57 PM
Dark, not good tasting...wonder what they did?  How do I feed the honey back to them without causing a ruckus?
Title: Re: First Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: Michael Bush on October 13, 2008, 07:48:02 PM
Jut put it in whatever feeders you use.  If it's a frame feeder, make sure there are floats.
Title: Re: First Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: rdy-b on October 13, 2008, 07:56:42 PM
If theres a probability that what you have is honeydew then dont feed it back the sugars are to complex and the bees dont winter well on it -what was the flow-I have goten honeydew from oaks and cedars -its like you cant get the bad taste out of your mouth -acquired taste for sure-RDY-B
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: DayValleyDahlias on October 13, 2008, 08:12:20 PM
Most of the honey was capped, one frame had very dark honey, and behind the capped honey was pollen.  It has a bitter aftertaste for sure.  Is is bad to eat?

I have no idea what they are taking at the moment, I have seen boston ivy in bloom, some rosemary

The pollen map says elm, cedar & juniper.

Can the honey make one ill?
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: rast on October 13, 2008, 10:04:19 PM
 Just curious, do you have any wet areas there with primrose willow? 1" yellow bloom, red stringy pollen on their legs and rotten tasting honey.
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: johnnybigfish on October 13, 2008, 10:25:51 PM
Does it taste like miracle grow, or ant bait?..or fertilizer? If it didnt killl the bees I would think it would be safe to eat. I'm looking forward to replies from people with more experience at eating honey than me.
your friend,
john
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: rdy-b on October 13, 2008, 11:10:18 PM
Quote from: johnnybigfish on October 13, 2008, 10:25:51 PM
Does it taste like miracle grow, or ant bait?..or fertilizer? If it didnt killl the bees I would think it would be safe to eat. I'm looking forward to replies from people with more experience at eating honey than me.
your friend,
john
We had better ask Paul I hear he is the brains in your operation operation - :-D  RDY-B
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: tillie on October 13, 2008, 11:43:07 PM
Around here privet hedge makes honey that people don't like - if the bees use it in quantity - a little makes the honey good.

Linda T in Atlanta
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: Michael Bush on October 14, 2008, 07:32:28 AM
I like strong honey.  But then I like strong coffee and it's really bitter too.  :)
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: greg spike on October 14, 2008, 10:31:23 AM
I've got a little Chinese privet honey this year, and it was my favorite. Dark, rich, powerfully flavored and its not that bitter. Great with yogurt and cereal.
But definitely not worth fighting privet suckers.
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: DayValleyDahlias on October 14, 2008, 12:06:46 PM
Okay so this is odd, after I strained the very dark honey through cheesecloth, and let it sit over night, it tastes wonderful...weird Oh well...hhhhmmmm
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: BMAC on October 14, 2008, 12:26:22 PM
that is good.  So you are going to keep your dark honey?

I just extracted the fall honey here.  I ended up with just over a barrel of fall honey.  Wonderful tasting stuff.  Excellent in coffee and on pancakes.
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: johnnybigfish on October 14, 2008, 08:38:57 PM
 Yeh, Rdy-b!
Lets ask PAUL!
Man, I was in a bad mood from fighting with Brad and Janelle, but after you
  mentioning Paul being the brains of my operation, I had to LAUGH!!!!
Thanks rdy-b for getting me in a good mood again!
Hmmm....I wonder if they are going to come back home?

your friend,
john
Title: Re: Today's Batch of Bitter Honey
Post by: Moonshae on October 14, 2008, 10:17:43 PM
You could always make a nice melomel with some strong fruit, like raspberries or cherries. They'd help to hide the less than pleasant flavor.