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Because the behaviors of honeybees and their subspecies are different , it ’ s a good practice to create a mix of species to hedge against seasonal variability .
produced a later summer honey that was dark with a molasses flavor , most likely due to those crops .
Another factor making differing honeys is our temperate and fickle weather . In spring of 2021 , I was fortunate to collect a very light honey — my absolute favorite . Other years , there have been late frosts , or weeks of rain that eliminated locust blossoms ’ contribution to that honey crop . It ’ s interesting to note that the black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ) can contribute more nectar than any other source through the entire season . When those flowers are not available , the bees will seek other forage . Those years , the honey production can be greatly reduced , and the spring honey can be quite dark and very flavorful .
An interesting sidenote about honeybees is the extraordinary numbers of workers needed to produce honey . I collected well over 1,000 pounds of honey in 2021 , my best in 20 years of beekeeping . It takes eight bees to make a single teaspoon of honey in their short six-week lifetime . There are about 72 teaspoons per pound of honey , and therefore it takes over half a million bees to
forage for 1,000 pounds of honey . Those workers make an astounding two billion visits to flowers . The numbers are staggering , and it ’ s astonishing that honeybees work that enormous number of flowers within a short radius of only a couple of miles .
Just like wines and cheese , there are many types of honeys , like the mono-floral varieties such as clover and sourwood honey , buckwheat , and medicinal manuka honey . But I believe that our local Ag Reserve honey holds a special place in the world , with its variable environmental characteristics , or terroir of our region . The seasonal differences , with our pristine woodlands and farms , all contribute to making great tasting local honeys .
Pairing honey with foods is an adventure I ’ m keenly interested in . The lighter spring honey seems to go well with tea , a mild cheese , or as a glaze on pastry ; however , the darker honey calls for more robust flavors and pairs well with prosciutto , or even smoked oyster .
50 shades of honey ? You bet , and the attraction to the nectar of the gods will remain eternal . As will the desire for unique flavors created by the spirit of our area that reflects the lovely world around us .
Joe Long ’ s honeybees have been producing honey in the Ag Reserve since 2002 . A board member of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance , Joe tends hives at historic Button Farm and promotes best practices and social responsibility at beekeeping demonstrations through the season . His honey can be purchased at Poolesville Hardware , R B Savage & Sons Farm , Locals Farmers Market , and directly at Honeyfx @ Greenfx . net .
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