Preparing Honey for Show
The thoughts of a honey show steward, courtesy Dave Atherton
Main requirements: Hunger to win, patience & remember to read the rules.
Comb Honey
Start the season with new frames lightly vaselined
Face of comb should be proud of frame.
Sections
Make sure the section box and packaging are clean
Cut Comb
Make a cutting template using a plaster cast
Use heated sharp knives to cut. Drain before placing in the container. Check weight.
Run Honey
Before extraction remove propolis to remove crystalisation foci.
Extract light before medium before dark
Strain then filter. Use fine filter (100tpi)
Heat to 120 oF for 2-3 days then 140 oF to clarify. Not too long to avoid HMF
Bottling must be perfect in matching jars, with clean lids.
Avoid bubbling, debris and crystalisation
Chunk Honey
Chunk needs to be 50%, cells angled upwards, no bubbles
Liquid honey should be same standard as Run honey and from same source as chunk
Ling
Prepare by pressing. Use the right cloth to get correct bubble size and distribution
Is it 100% ling?, is there contamination with wax fragments, check weight.
Creamed
You’ll need 10% crystalising honey (eg OSR)blended with any light honey.
Strain then heat honeys seperately to 90oF overnight. Mix slowly together using eg a paint stirrer. Make sure there are no bubbles. Leave for a day, then bottle. Problems are insufficient setting or coarse crystal grain