Honey foam

sean · September 17, 2007, 02:58:40 PM

What is the cause of the foam in honey and is there anyway to reduce/stop it?

BMAC · September 17, 2007, 03:50:01 PM

It is typical when uncrystalizing it or when making creamed honey.

How are you causing it to foam?

Jerrymac · September 17, 2007, 05:07:13 PM

I think he is talking about the air bubbles when extracting.

buzzbee · September 17, 2007, 05:30:17 PM

I had a little on top of a 5 gallon bucket after it settled down from extracting. I poured the honey from the gate on the bottom and when i got to the foamy stuff I sat it out and gave it back to the bees.

doak · September 18, 2007, 12:22:52 AM

Let it settle for 3 or 4 days then take a large spoon or spatchla and scim it off. You will not get it all but the most can be taken off.
What little you do have at the last just keep for your stash. Nothing wrong with itjust isn't nice looking to sell.
doak

sean · September 18, 2007, 09:05:11 AM

I did let it settle for a few days. I was bottling some recently and after taking an un-corked bottle and placing it in the sun for a few minutes the foam started to run out of the bottle

Jerrymac · September 18, 2007, 10:20:48 AM

Are you sure this isn't fermenting on you?

Dick Allen · September 18, 2007, 01:20:19 PM

Quotetake a large spoon or spatchla and scim it off

After the scum has risen to the top, a sheet of plastic food wrap such as Saran Wrap laid on it and then pulled off picks up most of the scum.

BMAC · September 18, 2007, 05:33:11 PM

Quote from: Jerrymac on September 18, 2007, 10:20:48 AM
Are you sure this isn't fermenting on you?

Sounds maybe like it. Throw a little more water in there and put an airlock on it. Then bottoms up!!!

Enjoy your mead....

sean · September 18, 2007, 06:54:41 PM

Hah, its not fermenting. I have been told its probably the nectar source.

BMAC · September 18, 2007, 07:28:15 PM

Dont keep us in suspense here. What is the nectar source? What does the honey taste like?

sean · September 18, 2007, 10:04:33 PM

As best as i can tell is Coral(leptopus antigonon) some form of acacia and assorted shrubs and flowers. I havent developed that discerning a taste for honey as yet so i cant tell you what it tastes like

reinbeau · September 19, 2007, 08:28:32 PM

My herbal/garden flower/wildflower honey always has a bit of a scum on the top of it, I use the plastic wrap method on it and it isn't any problem.

sean · September 19, 2007, 10:17:26 PM

will try it with the next batch. Thanks

ApisM · March 29, 2013, 06:52:53 PM

I am having the same problem. After settling in bucket, I skim the foam off like usually. Then I bottle. A foam develops on top, and it crystalizes easier then other honey years. After if crystalizes, it has very coarse crystals, and I put in luke warm water and there is abundant foam in the jar. So I was wondering what is causing it too, the honey still taste quite good.

On another note, my 2010 honey has yet to crystalize. It is interesting to see how my honey changes over the years. I live in the boreal forest, so there are only wildflowers and no farms around.

edward · March 29, 2013, 07:47:43 PM

the foam is air and pollen