March 13, 2013
I contacted Jim and Sharon and they are ready to taste the honey. No one has complained, but I am still concerned. These veteran honey producers are willing to test it and I can't wait for their nod of approval. I think the honey has a smokey overtone that is a little bitter when it first hits the mouth. After the palate gets the full taste the smokiness disappears and the nice honey flavor comes through. I think I know why this is happening, but I'm not going to explain it until I get Jim and Sharon's assessment on Friday. See you Friday.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
What kind of honey is this?
March 12, 2013
Ok. I don't know what this is. It's sweet like honey. I like it in my coffee and on my toast, but there is something different about it. My sweet wife, my son, and my brother in law all say it is just fine and tastes like normal honey. I'm not so sure. I am so "not so sure" that I am going to take some to a decades long commercial honey producer for a taste test on Friday. On my way to work I drive by the cafe where Jim and Sharon eat breakfast every morning. I really can't wait to get their opinion.
Ok. I don't know what this is. It's sweet like honey. I like it in my coffee and on my toast, but there is something different about it. My sweet wife, my son, and my brother in law all say it is just fine and tastes like normal honey. I'm not so sure. I am so "not so sure" that I am going to take some to a decades long commercial honey producer for a taste test on Friday. On my way to work I drive by the cafe where Jim and Sharon eat breakfast every morning. I really can't wait to get their opinion.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
We Have Honey in the House!
March 8, 2013
We harvested a little over 41 lbs of honey from 73 lbs gross weight (supers, wax and honey). We are very happy with the harvest. But what a sticky mess! I was up to my elbows in honey. Anyway, what follows is a pictorial history of the process.
Recognizing that Ramona and I put in 5 full days between us to scour the house, prepare the processing area and process the honey, I decided that I really only want to extract once a year (if possible). However, I have a plan to collect as much clover honey as possible this summer and if we end up with as much fall honey as we did in 2012 we'll have two extraction cycles. I am particularly fond of clover honey.
We harvested a little over 41 lbs of honey from 73 lbs gross weight (supers, wax and honey). We are very happy with the harvest. But what a sticky mess! I was up to my elbows in honey. Anyway, what follows is a pictorial history of the process.
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| Jars and lids are clean and ready to go. |
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| The cats are in prison. |
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| Extractor, supers, scraper, and tray are ready. |
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| De-capping with the knife. |
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| Loading the centrifuge. |
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| The harvest (some jars were already given away). |
Recognizing that Ramona and I put in 5 full days between us to scour the house, prepare the processing area and process the honey, I decided that I really only want to extract once a year (if possible). However, I have a plan to collect as much clover honey as possible this summer and if we end up with as much fall honey as we did in 2012 we'll have two extraction cycles. I am particularly fond of clover honey.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Overwinter Stuff
March 8th, 2013
Over winter things slow down at Airyriperakes. In early January I made some bee candy and put it on top of the frames in my two remaining hives. I also mowed 4 acres (roughly) and broadcast my seed mix. I hope I timed it right. We were expecting moisture on the very Saturday I put down the seed, which is why I was at the farm before dawn. That particular front never materialized but we've received some nice rain and snow since then. I am really looking forward to the bloom, which will be very visible from the road and from the farm house on the east side of the pond. Needless to say we won't be haying that meadow again. In the picture below the wildflower field is beyond the old barn and grain bin.
Ramona and I decided that we will extract our honey tomorrow. I'll take vacation today and get everything ready for the extraction. I'll also make a batch of sugar water and start spring feeding today. Ramona spent the last two days deep cleaning the kitchen. Now that is a labor of love (for honey).
Over winter things slow down at Airyriperakes. In early January I made some bee candy and put it on top of the frames in my two remaining hives. I also mowed 4 acres (roughly) and broadcast my seed mix. I hope I timed it right. We were expecting moisture on the very Saturday I put down the seed, which is why I was at the farm before dawn. That particular front never materialized but we've received some nice rain and snow since then. I am really looking forward to the bloom, which will be very visible from the road and from the farm house on the east side of the pond. Needless to say we won't be haying that meadow again. In the picture below the wildflower field is beyond the old barn and grain bin.
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