This may be true, however posing the question in a wide forum may lead to
insights and assistance in solving the problem which is a recurring one,
particularly inasmuch as there are participants from Europe, where floral
source is considered a much more serious and interesting matter than in
North America.
 
In the case of the brown honey question, perhaps someone on the list can
suggest a lab that can identify honey from samples by methods other than
pollen analysis which is a flawed technique - especially where the honey
comes primarily from a flower which is not a pollen source, such as
alfalfa.  I know that some adulterations can be identified, can floral
source?
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper
Rural Route One, Swalwell,  Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588      Email: [log in to unmask]
 
On Thu, 22 Sep 1994, Jane Beckman wrote:
 
> The sources of dark honey are going to vary from region to region.  Here in
> California, the usual source is bees working eucalyptus.  Unfortunately,
> this is a VERY STRONG and very dark honey, and less-than-desirable on the
> market.  However, I've picked up eucalyptus honey very cheaply for use in
> brewing (makes a decent mead), because of this.  Eucalyptus honey also seems
> to be very prone to quick crystalization.
>
> Your honey sources are going to vary from ecotone to ecotone, and often what
> is furnishing a major source for one group of hives is going to be quite
> different from what honey sources are available to hives a couple valleys
> over---or at least such is the case here in California, where you can have
> considerable variation of ecosystems over a fairly short range.
>
> Generalizing for state-wide, province-wide, or multi-state-wide areas, such
> as are discussed here on the bee list, is not generally useful.