bee candy question

[rober]

I've read several recipes for making candy boards. they are all pretty similar. some include cream of tartar. what does cream of tartar add to the blend? also has anyone added some mega-bee to the mix?

[merince]

Cream of tartar acidifies the syrup and helps break down the sucrose into glucose and fructose. The last 2 are the simple sugars that are utilized by bees. If you don't acidify the syrup, the bees will break down the sucrose on their own. I achieve the same by using vinegar.

You can add pollen or pollen substitute once the syrup cools down and starts to solidify. I usually just pat it on top.

If you are curious, here is my blog post (and printable recipe) for my candy board:
Fall Inspections: Bee candy boards and upper entrances

The post also has a link to a YouTube video that shows the process.

[rober]

I saw 1 recipe using cream of tartar & vinegar. sounds redundant.

[danno]

I use 2 quarts of water, six tbl of cider vinegar and 25 #s of sugar.   Heat to 270, cool to were it doesn't have that rapid boil and pour into molds