Frequently Asked Questions
Our Most Asked Questions...
Does all honey taste the same?
Honey will vary widely in taste depending on the nectar source. Our Wildflower honey is a very floral honey. The Goldenrod honey by contrast is much warmer, almost a buttery taste. Basswood honey is very light and bright with an almost minty finish. Our Special Reserve is in a class by itself. While technically a wildflower honey, it tastes nothing like our regular Wildflower honey. Special Reserve is much darker in color and has a rich, deep, complex taste. Some have described it as an almost molasses like richness. Yet it finishes with an almost raspberry tartness to it.
Is honey from Moonlight Honey organic?
No, our honey is not organic. To be certified as organic, all property within a 3-mile radius of each hive location is required to be certified as organic. The USDA is very stringent in the certification of domestic organic food products and carries out on-site certification inspections. Virtually all “organic” honey on store shelves has been imported from foreign countries. The USDA does not perform on-site inspections or certifications for imported products. They only require the grower to sign a letter stating their product is grown under organic conditions. Be cautious of any honey claiming to be “organic”.
How much honey does a honeybee produce in its lifetime?
A single honeybee produces about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey during its lifetime.
How often is honey harvested?
Most beekeeping operations harvest honey once or twice a year. Moonlight Honey harvests honey up to 4 times a year. We harvest smaller amounts more often to get the varietal honeys such as Basswood and Goldenrod honey. Our other honey, Wildflower, is a mix of many different flowers and varies depending on the time of the season.
How is honey harvested?
Bees store honey in cells of the comb. After frames of comb are removed from the hives. Beekeepers need to remove the honey from the cells and collect it. The simplest method is called crush and strain. It involves crushing the comb and letting gravity pull the honey through a strainer. This method requires very little equipment, but is slow, inefficient, and leaves a great deal of honey in the crushed comb. It also destroys the comb, so the bees need to rebuild the comb each time. Most beekeepers use an extractor to harvest honey. An extractor is nothing more than a centrifuge. A heated knife is used to cut the wax cap off the cells of honey. The frame containing the uncapped comb is then placed in the extractor. The extractor spins the frame and centrifugal force removes the honey from the cells. The honey is then collected, strained, and bottled. Any damage done to the comb can be quickly repaired by the bees.
How can I support local beekeepers?
You can support local beekeepers by purchasing their honey and hive products. How do you know its real honey if you don’t know the beekeeper? You can also plant bee friendly gardens, avoid the use of pesticides, and advocate for sustainable farming practices.
What is raw honey?
Raw honey is often preferred for its superior flavor and potential health benefits. There is no legal definition of raw honey. Because of this lack of clarity, many people have defined it to suit their own needs. Some claim to be “raw”; the honey must never be heated at all. Others classify “raw” to mean it has not been pasteurized. There is a huge difference between these 2 “definitions”. “Raw” honey should still contain the pollen and enzymes that were present when harvested.
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