fermentation, how long till it is noticeable?

BlueEggFarmer · August 27, 2007, 08:03:59 PM

I pulled and bottled a whole medium, all frames were well capped.
After bottling and comparing the honey to an earlier batch it is very obvious that this recent batch is much thinner. The early batch is thick like STP oil treatment, this new batch is like 10 w 30.
I would not expect the bees to cap honey that is not ready but if it is not
how long would it take for fermentation to take place and be visually noticeable in the bottles?
Will there be a bubbling, brewing look to it?

Robo · August 27, 2007, 08:41:52 PM

It depends on the temperature as to how fast it ferments. If it is in container with air space, you will see it get a foam on top. If it is in a closed container, you will hear a hiss when you open it, or find it blown open.

Mici · August 28, 2007, 08:35:54 AM

i've noticed that honey thickens after a week or so. it may not be true but it sure looks/feels/flows like.

newbee07 · August 28, 2007, 09:52:37 AM

All of our bottles have a thin layer of white looks like bubbles on top. And all frames were capped exept maye 4 out of 120. Honey is great.

Robo · August 28, 2007, 09:57:46 AM

Quote from: newbee07 on August 28, 2007, 09:52:37 AM
All of our bottles have a thin layer of white looks like bubbles on top.

If you didn't let the honey settle before bottling, the white foam is just air and is normal.

BMAC · August 28, 2007, 10:03:11 AM

besides the pressure build up of CO2, you should also notice it get very cloudy. This is 100% acceptable when you are trying to ferment your honey.

I would suggest to use a known yeast strain though and not the wild yeast strains. They can ferment the honey into something that tastes terrible.

CWBees · August 28, 2007, 02:27:31 PM

Will bees use fermented honey?

annette · August 28, 2007, 02:54:14 PM

They eat it and it is fine for them.

Annette

JP · August 28, 2007, 04:32:55 PM

I could be wrong, but I don't think blue egg wants fermented honey.
Newbee07, the white stuff on top is just the honey settling. If you don't want that in your bottles, skim it off the top from your bottling container before you bottle the honey. I happen to enjoy the sediments on top, it contains some comb, perhaps a little propolis, and a little pollen, but mostly comb and some bubbles.

Blue egg, you will get different types of honey, depending on the flowers the bees are working, and sometimes the bees will gather honeydew from aphids, it is a secretion that is sweet but from what I hear does not make a good honey. If you are in any type of beekeeping club or if you have a mentor ask if you can sample your honey with a refractometer for moisture content.

BlueEggFarmer · August 29, 2007, 04:03:18 PM

Thank you JP and everyone, yes I do not want the honey to ferment and wanted to know what it will look like and approximately how long it would take for the fermentation reaction to be occur and be noticeable.

So far the honey was in a bucket with a tight lid for 1 week before pouring it into bottles, temps in the house going from 66 to 88, no extra bubbling other than the regular foam was on top, the lid which I pushed down to create a vacuum was still down - no pressure from escaping gases. Now it has been 3 days since pouring into pint and quart canning jars. Still no bubbling, no clouding, and no buildup of gases.
Perhaps I have dodge a bullet?
I will still take a bit down to Queen Right Bee supply to see if they can test it for me.

BMAC · August 30, 2007, 10:12:51 AM

BlueEgg if you like. You can mail me a small sample of it. I have a refractometer that is like +-.01% accuracy. Just take a small amount and seal it up in a zip lock bag.

If you want to let me know and I will PM you my home mailing address.

BTW. I didnt really think you wanted to ferment your honey. I was just being a little humorous about fermenting out the honey.

Bennettoid · August 30, 2007, 12:37:38 PM

Quote from: BMAC on August 30, 2007, 10:12:51 AM
BlueEgg if you like. You can mail me a small sample of it. I have a refractometer that is like +-.01% accuracy. Just take a small amount and seal it up in a zip lock bag.

If you want to let me know and I will PM you my home mailing address.

BTW. I didnt really think you wanted to ferment your honey. I was just being a little humorous about fermenting out the honey.

HMM, free honey, why didn't I think of that.