How to Prepare Honey for Competition

Prepare your honey for entry in the county fair by using the same criteria the judge will use.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Beehive Frames
• Hive Tools
• Hives
• Honey Extractors
• Cheesecloth
• Honey
• Fine Wire Strainers
• Honey Jars With Lids

1. Choose jars that are suitable, uniform and clean. Any trace of detergent, soap, or oil will appear on top of the honey.

2. Use jars without air bubbles in the glass.

3. Fill each jar to the same level. The air space should not be visible when lid is on.

4. Use only clean, new caps.

5. Let honey sit in the extractor until all wax particles, air bubbles and any foreign matter rises to the top. Honey should be free from crystals, foreign matter, or air bubbles.

6. Strain honey from extractor into jars by using a fine strainer and cheesecloth for that clean, shiny, blue-ribbon honey.

7. Choose your lightest-colored honey to enter.

8. Enter honey with a good flavor and aroma.

9. Hold jar of honey up to light - it should look bright and clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with the fair about the rules for entering your honey. Talk to other beekeepers in your area about what they do to enter their honey.