John Sturman writes:
 
>I am looking for tips and suggestions as to how to guide the members in
>constructively sampling, and comparing flavors, appearance, etc. of the
>different honeys.  What have other clubs done in the past?  I am looking
forward
>to comments.
 
Even a very simple tasting where beekeepers bring a jar of whichever honey
they fancy is an interesting experience and can be a valuable education.
Some honeys can be identified by the colour of the comb, others need a few
clues such as the time of year collected.  A sealed frame can be a guessing
competition as to the nectar source or you can have blind tastings to see if
beekeepers can actually spot the difference between different varieties (and
then name the honey types).
 
The taste of the lighter honeys contrasted with the naturally darker honeys
and ground flora as against tree nectar sources are all good discussion points.
 
I suggest you keep the procedure informal and encourage members to bring as
many types of honey as they can lay their hands on...and then let it
develop.  It is a very rare beekeeper that does not like a honey tasting.
 
Betty McAdam
HOG BAY APIARY
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
J.H. & E. McAdam<[log in to unmask]
http://kigateway.kin.on.net/hogbay/hogbay1.htm
 
Why not visit the South Australian Superb Websites Ring?
http://kw.mtx.net/sawebring/sawebring.html