>We get that here in UK when they collect the autumn ivy nectar which crystallises quickly. I assume they cap it when it solidifies even if they have not yet got it down to 17% water. The water content can be as high as 21%; if so, we can't sell it as eating honey (must be < 20% water) but as cooking honey.

Ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) honey tends to be wet - even in a dry season.  Although the legal limit for water content of this honey is 23% (ludicrously high as it will always ferment) it is frequently higher in my experience.  I dry it by stacking the supers 'staggered' and then use a fan heater to blow warm air at the stacks; I would never extract until it is below 20%.

I wonder whether the bees work on water content (seems unlikely as they lack refractometers!), or whether viscosity is involved in some way.

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W
 

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