Q: what are the different varieties of honey and how are they made?
A: If there is a floral / nectar source there can be a variety of honey; however as a bee keeper, we do not always harvest all honey. Check out the National Honey Board LINKED HERE for more information on this process, it is as complex as it gives beautiful results.
Q: where do the bees go during the minnesota winter?
A: Bar Bell Bee Ranch sends the bees to the Central Valley of California; Los Banos. We have entrusted a bee broker to assist with the arrival and placement of our bees in holding yards, and into almond orchards, when the time comes. There are bee keepers that winterize their bees, and even Bar Bell Bee holds a few hives back; specifically the top bar hive, it is kept in a warm, dry place away from the elements. LINKED HERE is more information about how to successfully winterize hives.
Q: how can I use honey in my every day life?
A: Honey by itself has endless uses; not just as a spread on toast or a sweetener in tea, but also as a beauty product ingredient, health supplement and nearly complete replacement for refined sugar! LINKED HERE is a honey converter; make the switch today and your body with thank you. A few ways we like to use honey in our house include;
Crackers and cheese
Melted with peanut butter and drizzled on popcorn
Replacing sugar in our jams, jellies, and even pickled beets
As a sweetener in our coffee and sun brewed ice teas
Slathered on salmon, a pork loin or sweet potatoes and grilled to perfection
Q: Whats the difference between Processed and Raw Honey?
A: Processed honey is heated to 140 degrees to a liquid state and filtered. Typically staying liquid while on the shelf; unless over time the honey crystalizes, which does not mean that it is spoiled, simply heat up water, put the bottle in the warm water and watch the honey return to the liquid state. If you have liquid honey that you just aren't using fast enough, you can freeze it and it will stay liquid. Raw / Unprocessed honey, sometimes referred to as creamed honey, is in a fine, creamy, sometimes hard, crystalized state. Similar to spreadable butter, this can be uses in the same ways as liquid honey however its easy to spread on toast and crackers!