On Tue, 24 Jun 1997, RICHARD BARNES wrote:
 
> Fellow Bee-Lers
>
> I just extracted 8 supers from 3 hives that have been on wild flowers and
> black berries.  I was surprised to see an extremely light honey.  The honey
> was lighter yellow than a manilla (sp.?) envelope.  Usually our honey is a
> golden brown not the light yellow color.  The honey is also a milder flavor.
> Greater than 90% of the cells were capped so I figure the moisture was right.
>
> We have had a really mild winter an a  pretty wet spring this year.  Could
> the extra rain have made the difference?  On the blackberries, I am talking
> 5-7 shades lighter.  I don't know the color grading system so I will use
> something as visual as possible.  Blackberry honey is usually the color of
> wood with a light walnut stain, but this year the honey is the color of pine
> with a clear varnish.  No brown shade only the yellow to nearly clear/white.
>
> Other beekeepers in the area are seeing the same on wildflowers.  Many of
> the local buyers like the darker honey because they like the stronger taste.
> No supply of dark so far this year only the light colored stuff.
>
> Any comments will be passed on at the next SW Oklahoma Beekeeper's
> Association  meeting.
>
> Richard Barnes
>
 
Richard, Blackberry honey, in my experience, when pure or in high
percentage is light in color as you describe.  It is aromatic and
definitely the flavor resembles a milder version of the taste of the
fruit.  Excessive rain can have many effects on honey volume and sugar
solids but it's difficult to generalize because local conditions vary so
much.
 
John A. Skinner           218 Ellington Hall
Extension Apiculturist    University of Tennessee
[log in to unmask]          Knoxville, TN  37901   (423)974-7138