Author Topic: Dark capped honey vs light capped honey  (Read 4948 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Dark capped honey vs light capped honey
« on: October 28, 2015, 01:36:03 pm »
I inspected one of my hives yesterday, and to my surprise and delight, this hive produced 2 med frames of capped honey/syrup. Now, I fed syrup all of September so I know that some of the cappings contain syrup. Some of the frames are darker than the others. Can bees turn syrup into a darker color? Is there a way that I can tell if it's honey from nectar or honey from syrup?

I would like to rob 3 frames for myself and would like those frames to be from nectar if possible.
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline Perry

  • Global Moderator
  • Gold Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 7382
  • Thanked: 390 times
  • Gender: Male
    • Brandt's Bees
  • Location: Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Re: Dark capped honey vs light capped honey
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2015, 06:49:19 pm »
I don't think you will be able to determine which is which. I would pass on it given you were feeding.
"It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor."      
Forum Supporter

Offline riverbee

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 8924
  • Thanked: 410 times
  • Gender: Female
  • ***Forum Sponsor***
  • Location: El Paso Twp, Wisconsin
Re: Dark capped honey vs light capped honey
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 07:55:51 pm »
jen, the color of the 'honey' is determined by the source of the nectar collected. for example, basswood is very light in color, dandelion medium to dark color, goldenrod is darker in color.  here is the kicker....... cappings can range in color........... ;D from very white to a not so very white...........

given your situation jen, like perry said, i would pass and not harvest 3 frames; there is most likely syrup mixed in with whatever nectar they may have collected and most likely syrup.

sorry jen, just saying........... :)
i keep wild things in a box..........™
if you obey the rules, you miss all the fun.....katherine hepburn
Forum Sponsor

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Re: Dark capped honey vs light capped honey
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2015, 10:38:49 pm »
That is good to know and Thanks!
There Is Peace In The Queendom