The Art of Traditional Harvesting
The Art of Traditional Harvesting
Bees have a fascinating way of preserving their liquid gold. As bees gather nectar from flowers, they carry it back to the hive in their honey stomachs.
Back at the hive, they deposit the nectar into the cells of the honeycomb. To turn nectar into honey, the bees fan their wings to evaporate excess moisture, reducing the water content to around 18 to 20%.
Once the right moisture level is reached, the bees cap the cells with beeswax, sealing the honey within.
When honey is stored with high moisture content, it becomes susceptible to fermentation, leading to an undesirable taste and texture. That's why beekeepers wait until the bees have capped the comb before harvesting.
As we continue to savor the sweetness of honey, let us remember the age-old wisdom of traditional beekeeping and its contribution to the flavors on our tables.
Do not feed honey to infants under 12 months old.