On 1 Nov 2003 at 20:57, Bob Harrison wrote:

> I have been shown two different brands of "really raw honey" and both
> looks
> as if comb and all were put in a blender and a few chunks of propolis
> were
> added for good measure.
>
> Have I guessed the secret formula for making "really raw honey"?

I don't know any suppliers who actually add propolis, but the cappings are
mixed back with the honey so, that some get packed in each jar. It's
primarily goldenrod, so it crystallizes rapidly. Some bee parts add to the
mystique.

Some of the literature suggests that the honey is from bee trees, not
cultured bees, which of course gives a good laugh for any knowledgeable
beekeeper.  And of course the claim that the honey is untreated....   I did
know one beekeeper that was supplying this company that actually did
take it seriously, and left his bees untreated for varroa, for one winter. He
lost about half, and the rest were so weak in the spring, he had a time
getting them going again in time to make any honey the following year.

I call it marketing mystique. "Organic" is simply the best standard
beekeeping practices.  Truth is peripheral, of course.

The beekeepers themselves don't seem to get any higher price. The good
thing is that it saves the bother of dealing with cappings.

Dave Green   SC  USA
Garden Bees:  http://gardenbees.com

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