Hello Peter and All,
<This blended material I presume is not then being sold as "table honey"?
Sure is and labeled grade 1. They even take melter honey and blend in also.
Blending is common practice with packers.
The largest importer of Argentine honey in the U.S. is a friend. Around
fifty beekeepers took a tour of his plant a couple years ago and he
explained the blending process with both Argentine and China honey.
I respect Rudi and respect the problems beekeepers in Argentina face. I
never met a beekeeper I did not like. I am sure Argentina produces some
excellent honey in areas. Could be as I said earlier that the packers plants
I have been at only bought the bakery grade.
As for the China honey most has excellent color but smells like it was
strained through dirty socks. Has a unusual flavor which is not bad but as
comes from the barrel might cost customers if not blended. I am sure not all
China honey is as I have seen.
I do not want to give Allen D. a big head but all Canadian honey I have seen
and tasted is excellent.
I have seen some honey produced in Mexico which could only be called bakery
grade.
As Rudi says not all dark honey tastes bad.
I will surely raise a few eyebrows but most packers would consider
"Buckwheat honey" as bakery grade (needing blended) and offer a dime less
than amber.
However Buckwheat bottled and sold a specialty honey could bring a higher
price than water white.
Sincerely,
Bob