Judging Honey

son800 · November 04, 2014, 02:40:29 AM

What do Judges look for in honey competitions?

Michael Bush · November 04, 2014, 09:10:33 AM

Useless counterproductive details that ruins the honey combines with irrelevant details that have no effect on the honey. THey want you to heat it until there are no crystals whatsoever left (which destroys the flavor and the enzymes) filter it to death (which removes every last spec of pollen and propolis) and then bottle it in a perfect bottle (as if that would help the flavor) at the perfect height, with not a bubble or a spec in it... In my opinion to win anything other than a black jar contest, you have to ruin the honey.

BeeMaster2 · November 04, 2014, 12:44:20 PM

:goodpost: Michael.

Dallasbeek · November 04, 2014, 02:29:15 PM

In our local beekeepers club, we judge by flavor, but that's just us. The prize is getting to taste honey. What more could a beekeeper ask for?

Michael Bush · November 05, 2014, 09:19:50 AM

>In our local beekeepers club, we judge by flavor, but that's just us. The prize is getting to taste honey. What more could a beekeeper ask for?

Good for you! There has been, in recent years, an upswing in "black jar" contests where all that matters is flavor. In my opinion that is all that counts and requiring actions that destroy the flavor is just foolish.

minz · November 06, 2014, 07:10:26 PM

Son, you need a copy of the rules. Each one will be a little different. For the most part they will look at the moisture content (under 18%) cleanliness of the glass (use an unwashed cotton rag to wipe the jars it will not leave a film and use gloves), all jars filled to the same level, up into the threads; air bubbles or debris in honey, scum on top of honey, clean lids and threads (replace the lids before you give it to them).
Well I got to say that MB generally has really good links and useful information, it did not happen here and to a new guy?

Eric Bosworth · November 07, 2014, 01:29:25 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on November 04, 2014, 09:10:33 AM
Useless counterproductive details that ruins the honey combines with irrelevant details that have no effect on the honey. THey want you to heat it until there are no crystals whatsoever left (which destroys the flavor and the enzymes) filter it to death (which removes every last spec of pollen and propolis) and then bottle it in a perfect bottle (as if that would help the flavor) at the perfect height, with not a bubble or a spec in it... In my opinion to win anything other than a black jar contest, you have to ruin the honey.

How do they judge comb honey then? It is kind of tough to do all of that with comb honey.

biggraham610 · November 08, 2014, 01:06:35 PM

Quote from: minz on November 06, 2014, 07:10:26 PM
Son, you need a copy of the rules. Each one will be a little different. For the most part they will look at the moisture content (under 18%) cleanliness of the glass (use an unwashed cotton rag to wipe the jars it will not leave a film and use gloves), all jars filled to the same level, up into the threads; air bubbles or debris in honey, scum on top of honey, clean lids and threads (replace the lids before you give it to them).
Well I got to say that MB generally has really good links and useful information, it did not happen here and to a new guy?

Pretty sure opinions are welcome here. Also pretty sure it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Michael wasn't talking about a "white glove" honey competition. I only read that the competition he spoke of was a competition based solely on aesthetics. I agree, that is no true measure of a honey. More a measure of packaging. G :chop:

deknow · November 08, 2014, 01:51:51 PM

Most judges (that I've spoken to) are looking for clear honey, fill level, no honey on the bottom of the cap, no bubbles in the glass of the jar.

When it comes taste, they take points off for off flavors....otherwise flavor is irrelevent in judging.

I find this and the honey queen programs to be the silliest aspects of beekeeping.

biggraham610 · November 08, 2014, 02:57:16 PM

Quote from: deknow on November 08, 2014, 01:51:51 PM
Most judges (that I've spoken to) are looking for clear honey, fill level, no honey on the bottom of the cap, no bubbles in the glass of the jar.

When it comes taste, they take points off for off flavors....otherwise flavor is irrelevent in judging.

I find this and the honey queen programs to be the silliest aspects of beekeeping.

X2 X:X G

johng · November 11, 2014, 02:40:22 PM

I was just reading the comments the judges wrote about each honey sample at our local fair. Fill level, bubbles on the top, lint on the jar, honey on the inside of the lid, and moisture over 18% were noted on several of the entries. Most contest require you to entry three samples, each sample has to be exactly alike, its more about appearance rather than taste.

We did have a category called black jar honey where the honey was judged solely on its taste.