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.