Honey question

The Poot in Somerset · Jul 8, 2019

Hi all, I have just harvested honey that I stored over Winter in the frames - all capped. Have rested it in a sealed bucket for three weeks. On jarring it, it is very runny whilst all honey taken at the same time last year and jarred in September has granulated to a proper old solid state.
It smelt really "strong" in the bucket, but OK in the jars. It has a strong flavour with an after taste. I could see no bubbling in the bucket, just normal crud on top, easily removed with the cling film trick.
Could it be that it is about to ferment?
Is it bad practice to keep capped honey in the frame over Winter? I kept it in case the bees needed it through the Winter - it's just one super.
I'd appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

Poly Hive · Jul 8, 2019

Sorry to say but you are finding out why it's not a good idea to store honey in combs.

PH

Erichalfbee · Jul 8, 2019

I store capped brood frame stores and cut comb in the freezer
Seems to be ok on defrosting unless it’s ivy

eltalia · Jul 9, 2019

Reads to me as you've had partially capped in those
stored frames, enough 'seed' to set the rest off once
extracted and "jarred".

Bill

MartinL · Jul 9, 2019

The Poot in Somerset said:
It smelt really "strong" in the bucket,

Define "strong"????

What did it "smell" of???

The Poot in Somerset said:
It has a strong flavour with an after taste.

What was the "Flavor" ????

If it was gathered at the time Ivy was flowering you have the answer.
Flog it at £15 a jar to the health nutters, they'll put up with the dodgy taste thinking that it is obviously beneficial if it tastes like 5h!t :bump:

enrico · Jul 9, 2019

Even one or two cells that are uncapped can ferment and smell really strong. That's why I don't store wet frames as I feel bad giving it back to the bees!
I am not a lover of that aftertaste either. My only advice is not to store full frames ! Leave it with the bees and extract in spring if it is still there! (*_*)
E