Small Batch Soft Set Honey - Stewart Spinks From The Norfolk Honey Co.

[@Ashley10304]

Very thorough video, Stewart. At 2:00 you mention the risk of fermentation in granulated honey. Are there any methods to prevent this before reaching this stage (i.e. processing into soft set sooner, storing at a certain temperature etc)? Also, in your experience is it normal to expect a trace smell of fermentation in buckets of granulated honey?

[@judenew5442]

I have read various sources for module 2 for making creamed honey. When watching you on this video I can see the warming process is important for all the reasons you state, the implement you were using to mash the honey, was also introducing bubbles of air into the honey seed. I was under the impression that when mashing the implement had to be kept under the surface so that there are no air bubbles in the seed. Can you comment on that for me please Stewart?

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Jude, Thanks for commenting. It is importnant to try to minise the amount of air that gets introduced into the honey as you stir or mash it but actually I don't think it's a huge issue as the honey is given time to settle before going into the jars and again, with a little warmth to keep the honey soft, the bubbles are given time to rise to the surface. I think for most beekeepers this will be sufficient, anything for the "show bench" then maybe more care is required but for just a few jars of soft set honey I think it's ok. I've certainly never had any complaints about any of the soft set honey we've produced over the years. Stewart

[@judenew5442]

Thank you for your reply. I have a question about the heating jacket you are using. I have one, I need to soften my honey in the settling tank. The instructions are not clear. I have plugged it in but not sure where the probe sits to measure the temperature of the honey (or do I need to know accurately if it is runny) Does the probe sit between the bucket and the blanket when its wrapped around or inside the honey bucket?

[@judenew5442]

Watched the video again just seen where the probe goes. Sorry should have paid attention!

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Jude, Glad you spotted it. We've been using the cabinet regularly as our larger warming tank is out of action at the moment and it's been very effective. Stewart

[@PennsylvaniaBeekeeper]

Stewart, is this supposed to be a whipped honey or a creamed honey? There are various resources stating that whipped and creamed are different, yet many KZbin videos suggest the two are the same. What is your opinion, and what would you call this style, creamed or whipped? I feel like you are suggesting this is a creamed honey; however, the texture doesn't look similar to your other creamed honey videos. It looks more like a whipped honey. -Darren

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Darren, I would say it’s a creamed honey but we try to avoid using the term creamed so that others don’t assume it has cream in it. I have heard the term whipped honey but never investigated that style, I guess it involves stirring quickly and maybe introducing air into the honey? I think the two names are used interchangeably and that probably confuses the situation further. This honey production method produces a very fine grained, soft set honey that is spreadable and delicious. I’m not sure that helps answer your question Darren, but if you haven’t tried it do give it a go. Stewart