I've just gotten my first real "harvest" (five frames out of 20, they've been busy) and after extracting it by crushing and straining, I've ended up with a lot of very dark, almost molasses-like honey. It also has a very distinct "tangy" flavor. It's definitely not fermentation, as having experimented with my own wine, I'm pretty familiar with the taste of fermentation.
But there's definitely a "tangy" flavor. Perhaps it's a super strong flavor of the surrounding flowers (two flower nurseries within a mile) that all mingle together, but I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed such a flavor with their super dark and thick honeys?
Perhaps I could just call it "gourmet" and sell it for twice the price? :-D
I usually get dark honey in the fall. Dark honey has a much bolder / stronger flavor. Some customers want the dark honey but most want the lite.
Steve
Poplar honey is kinda dark, but I would not call it tangy.
My first year I got dark tangy honey. I was from the popcorn tree. Also known as Chinese Tallow tree. The seeds make it look like it is covered with popcorn. I don't know if you have them up there. Down here it is illegal to plant them, they spread very quickly and take over an area.
In a good year they make a lot of nectar. I have not seen any honey from it for the last 2 years.
Jim