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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: jtcmedic on September 02, 2020, 03:20:35 PM

Title: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 02, 2020, 03:20:35 PM
Well yesterday I pulled a deep off one of my hives that the caps were bubbling but for my area and the moisture was capped pretty well. After extracting it I used my  Refractometer  And it was at 20% have never seen capped honey with so much moisture, so we have been making some Jalape?o fermented honey with it, also making some honey Fermented cranberries. Will see how it played out.
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 02, 2020, 03:21:52 PM
[attachment=0][/attachment] here is one of the jars  sorry sideways
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 02, 2020, 03:25:37 PM
[attachment=0][/attachment]
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 03, 2020, 03:55:54 PM
So just checked it again, all I bottled are still at 20% but has a grape under tone in the flavor. Had this a couple years ago but didn?t have as high moisture.  Have a lot of cabbage palm in the area(20 k acre wildlife area) and know the nectar and honey has high moisture content any input would be great can?t place the sources, thanks
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: Barhopper on September 03, 2020, 09:41:39 PM
Was your refractometer calibrated? I get a pretty good cabbage flow and it?s not uncommon for it to be in the low 19?s.
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 04, 2020, 06:52:32 AM
Quote from: Barhopper on September 03, 2020, 09:41:39 PM
Was your refractometer calibrated? I get a pretty good cabbage flow and it?s not uncommon for it to be in the low 19?s.
Yes just tested it again was spot on in the calibration. Still sitting at 20
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: Hops Brewster on September 04, 2020, 12:10:45 PM
I hate when that happens.  It means another batch of mead or melomel.   :cool:
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 04, 2020, 04:01:03 PM
Quote from: Hops Brewster on September 04, 2020, 12:10:45 PM
I hate when that happens.  It means another batch of mead or melomel.   :cool:
it was 2 gallons but Like I said it was all capped, so it is strange. Will have to open some ice the mead I made from last time, it hope it aged well
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: JurassicApiary on September 10, 2020, 12:49:48 PM
jtcmedic, I too have been struggling with excessive moisture in capped honey.  I've had several small batches this summer (1-2 gallons each) come out higher than expected (18.8%, 19.2%, 19.6% & 20.2%).  I see you're in Florida and I'm in Hawaii--both states with high humidity.  I wonder in this is playing a role in this since honey is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture straight from the air?  I live in a rainforest and my humidity is always between 70%-99%.
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: Ben Framed on September 10, 2020, 02:30:55 PM
Have either of you considering fixing up a drying room? Or a temporary drying room?
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: JurassicApiary on September 10, 2020, 03:02:47 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on September 10, 2020, 02:30:55 PM
Have either of you considering fixing up a drying room? Or a temporary drying room?

I don't have a room that I can commit to drying in, however I do have garage space.  I'm currently looking into making a drying box by combining a dehumidifier into an old refrigerator.
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 10, 2020, 08:15:48 PM
I have thought about making a drying box, but the humidity has been high
Title: Re: Capped high moisture honey
Post by: jtcmedic on September 10, 2020, 08:16:21 PM
Quote from: JurassicApiary on September 10, 2020, 03:02:47 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on September 10, 2020, 02:30:55 PM
Have either of you considering fixing up a drying room? Or a temporary drying room?

I don't have a room that I can commit to drying in, however I do have garage space.  I'm currently looking into making a drying box by combining a dehumidifier into an old refrigerator.
that is cool