Wildflower Honey Basics

Honey is created when bees collect nectar from nearby flowers and take it back to the hive.  The bees partially digest the nectar into more simple sugars and store it in their honeycomb.  They fan their wings over the honey, which creates airflow around the honeycomb and helps to evaporate the water.  Eventually, the nectar loses moisture and condenses into thick, sweet honey.   Honey contains less than 18.6% water, but water generally makes up approximately 70% of nectar.

Folks often ask us what the difference is between wildflower honey and other honeys, such as mesquite and clover.  The type of flowers from which the bees visit and collect nectar will influence the color and flavor of honey.  When bees visit many types of flowers found around their hives, the honey is referred to as wildflower honey (polyfloral).  The taste and flavor of wildflower honey will vary each season, depending upon which flowers are most dominant when the bees are collecting the nectar.