>>> [log in to unmask] 03/22/02 04:13PM >>>said:
"raw honey unheated in any way"

this is totally unrealistic. will the honey not be uncapped with a hot
knife? will you throw it away if it sugars in large containers? what about
honey from melting wax, throw it away? I am all for raw honey, but some heat is necessary in most beekeeping operations. etc. etc.

Response:
It is not at all unrealistic for me (as a hobbyist).  No extra heat besides the ambient temperature is added to my honey.  Yes, of course most of it crystalizes sooner or later.  That's "proof" that it's raw.  No, I do not use a hot uncapping knife.  If my customers want to heat their honey to reliquify it, that's up to them, but I advise them against it because I understand that not only does honey degrade when heated (the higher the temperature and the longer it is kept at a higher temperature, the more quickly it degrades), but volatiles are also lost (called by some "bouquet").  I sell unheated, unfiltered honey.  Now, whether it's better than somebody else's who heats theirs may be debatable, but I believe it is, and belief and perception is what I market to.  I don't make any claims, but I cater to peoples' beliefs and sell my honey at a premium price and feel good about it.

Layne Westover, College Station, Texas