Fermented Honey

heaflaw · May 30, 2007, 01:43:43 AM

I have about 3 gallons in various jars which I harvested early last fall that I think has fermented. I has a very bitter taste and some of the jars have a bitter smell as soon as they are opened. When I realized they had fermented, I froze them but the bitterness is still there. Can the honey be saved for use? Can I feed it back to the bees?

BMAC · May 30, 2007, 08:59:21 AM

If it has started to ferment then mix in 15 gallons of water with your 3 gallons of honey and throw in some wine yeast and let it ferment out.

The fermentation process should not make it bitter. Are you sure it is fermenting?

JP · May 30, 2007, 10:56:37 AM

If it smells like something you wouldn't want to eat than why would someone else want to try it ? I personally would either ditch it or contact a meade maker. Just my .02.

Cindi · May 30, 2007, 11:16:30 AM

Maybe it is just the type of nectar that was gathered. I heard that buckwheat honey to some people tastes crappy!!! I do not have any experience with that. Great day. Cindi

BMAC · May 30, 2007, 11:29:21 AM

i agree with Cindi. I believe some types of nectar are just bitter.

As far as whether you like it or I like it, that is personal taste. Quite litterally personal taste. I cant stand Vermouth in any form. If you were a Martini drinker you would think I have bad taste.

Quite possibly heaflaw has friends that have the taste for that honey.

One sure way to determine if it is fermenting is to listen for pressure releasing as the jars are opened. Being that wild yeast (which is what causes fermentation) give off CO2 and alcohol during their fermentation process.

annette · May 30, 2007, 01:07:20 PM

I have read here from some experienced beekeepers, that the bees do not mind eating fermented honey. Why not just give it back to them?

Annette

doak · May 30, 2007, 01:54:46 PM

The "bitterweed" does make bitter honey.
As for fermenting, when you harvest honey, if there is any that is not capped, hold the frame up flat ways, if it runs out it has too much water and will ferment. If it doesn't run out it should be ok.
My .02
doak

heaflaw · May 31, 2007, 12:11:02 AM

Thanks for everyone's responses. I can not stand the taste of vinegar and to me that is what it tastes like, which is why I think it has been fermenting. I will check for pressure escaping when jars are opened. If I can't find any friends who like it, I will either give it to my bees or to my pseudo friends. Maybe a present to my former wife!!!

If anyone else has advice, I'd appreciate it.

doak · May 31, 2007, 12:30:34 AM

I don't think I would want to give it to my bees. May give them a bad case of dysentery.
JMO doak

Cindi · May 31, 2007, 10:08:28 AM

There must be a way, if the honey has fermented, to bring it back to a palatable state. No clue how, but I wonder if it could be done by heating slightly and reducing moisture content with something like silica gel, which will take moisture out of the air, and moisture out of the honey in that area as well? Anyone had any dealings with fermented honey?

As Doak said, I would not feed it back to the bees for fear of making them not feel very well and getting the dysentry. Have a wonderful day, love the life you're livin'. Cindi

Scadsobees · May 31, 2007, 02:48:12 PM

You may be able to stop the fermentation, but you cannot remove the byproducts of the fermentation which is the bad flavors.

It is still edible if palatable. I don't think it would hurt the bees, especially in the summer when they can fly and poop. Or finish off the fermentation and call it MEAD....

Rick

Cindi · June 01, 2007, 11:08:39 AM

Good, finish off the fermenting like Rick said, and then you have the Mead. That would be your lucky day. Have the wonderful day, great life. Cindi