Last Years Capped Honey or This Years Capped Honey?

[Jen]

Is there any visual difference between last years capped honey and this years capped honey?

[RAST]

Mine is dirtier, but this years is all new super comb also.

[Jen]

Hi Rast  This is what I'm asking... I open up a hive box that hasn't been open yet this year. There are plenty of bees, and they are operating normally. How can I identify last years honey that hasn't been touched by the bees yet, and this years new capped honey?

Can the wax caps change appearance the longer it stays capped?

[Wandering Man]

As RAST said, the longer the cappings are on the honey the darker the color.  I've been reading about Ross Rounds lately and they recommend keeping the box with the rounds as the top box because the more the bees walk on the cappings the darker and thus less appealing the comb honey in the rounds.

[Bakersdozen]

I have to agree with RAST and Wandering Man.  The honey will darken as it ages and the bees walking on the cappings will also darken the wax.  In the case of comb honey, you do want to put the comb honey super on top or monitor closely to pull as soon as it is capped. 

[Jen]

Got it! Thanks guys