Fondant

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I thought I would be clever and make my own, I inserted this thread in the wrong section.

I have one hive which I thought was oK for stores as they stopped taking down syrup and were working mustard. When I hefted all the hives at the weekend I think this hive was too light, Bought a kilo of fondant from the bakers at £2.30 kg. At this price I decided to have a go at making my own. Found a recipe in a 1950s bee book.

3 lb of granulated sugar, 1/2pt of hot water, and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Put all ingredients in large pan heat to boiling and keep stirring, When boiling lower heat and boil for further 5mins to make sure temperature reaches 245oF. Do not burn the sugar as the bees will not touch it and will be a complete waste.

Cool to 200oF by putting pan into cold water. Stir until the syrup starts to go white, then stir with hand held mixer until stiff.

Pour into flat plastic container and leave to cool.

Seemed oK but now has gone really hard and slightly granulated. If the bees don't like it I can reheat and dissolve in more water and feed as syrup in the spring.

Also advised that Cream of Tartar is not suitable for bees.
 
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WHY are you buying this?
It is so easy and cheap to make? and has no other additives......

Because it can be bought cheaper than it can be made, especially for larger quantities, and it only contains water,sugar and glucose.
 
4kgs Sugar
800mls Water

Bring up to 116c

Made my fondant packs in 'take away' tubs.
Easy to place over cb whole.
Easy to see when empty too.

If in doubt pop one on your hive.

It can act as an indicator, if your bees can access it, how hungry they are.
 
Never forget that it is a long standing rule that you can save a starving hive with a bag of sugar, plunged in water.

This has been used by our forefathers.
 
My hives have a full super of honey, on each hive, as I believe they should have the food they would have in their stores, in the natural environment, so they can have the chance to evolve naturally, and fight for their lives.
 
As you've got 5 hives (and another season ahead of us :) ) - you might want to consider buying from Bako-online. Ok - you have to buy 6 boxes to get the free shipping - but as sugar is currently so cheap (<£10 a box), it's really something of an investment right now.
I bought 6 boxes just a couple of weeks ago, and already I'm considering buying more in order to keep a reasonable stock of it put by.

LJ

Bako on line say min order £100 & no delivery charge.
 
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