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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Dick Allen <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 18 Aug 2006 22:24:45 -0400
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Re: honey picking up color from dark comb.

Maybe a bit darker, but not by a tremendous amount. I sometimes place darkened brood comb in 
supers, as those brood combs have not been subjected to medications.  From what I’ve personally 
seen, there isn’t any difference in the color of extracted honey. 

In Coggshall/Morse book ‘Beeswax’, the authors address that issue. They point out that a 
misleading demonstration is to place a piece of old, dark comb in a jar and pour water around it. 
After 30 to 45 minutes the water darkens, thereby “proving” that old comb darkens honey. What 
the authors point out is that honey and water are different. They also cite the work of G. F. 
Townsend published in ‘Bee Culture’, 1974 “Absorption of colour by honey solutions from brood 
comb”. Townsend, the authors report, showed fully ripe honey actually picks up relatively little 
color, although the amount could be measured. 

Regards,
Dick Allen

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