Photo by Scott Liddell
The decreasing bee population may be old news, but the effects are hitting a critical point in the honey industry. According to Ron Phipps in his latest report, honey production is dying with the bees, yet honey demand in the market is increasing. Honey laundering is saturating the US market with cheap honey that is watered down with high-fructose corn syrup or containing harmful chemicals.
This substandard honey is driving pure honey out of the market, replacing a natural food source with an unhealthy substitute and driving pure honey producers and processors out of business.
Honey is naturally a mysterious commodity. No one follows each bee to see if it is pollinating the clover field or buzzing around someone’s soda can. But an unpleasant mystery is added at the processing plants, where different shipments of honey are mixed before being poured in bottles labeled “100% honey.” Many processing plants buy the cheapest honey; often they do not know if the honey was diluted or contaminated before import. Some don't care. In turn, it is impossible for the average consumer to know if the honey they buy was doctored or tainted prior to packaging.
Luckily, the Tacoma area provides easy sources for safe, undoctored honey for local consumers. Hobby beekeeping in this area has exploded in popularity over the last few years. Each beehive produces 3 to 4 gallons of honey per year, and many small-hive or hobby beekeepers gladly sell their honey to the public.
Local, small-hive honey is usually only strained and bottled. It contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and provides other benefits that are lost when the honey is processed in a large facility. Some people believe that small-hive honey has a better flavor, and that small quantities of local raw honey reduce allergies. This honey does crystallize faster, but the crystals will not affect flavor, and will melt back into honey under a low heat.
Pure, local honey can be found year round at produce stands like Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, and in farmers markets when in season. Many beekeepers sell their honey all year long, and will happily answer any questions you may have.
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