Raw amber honey straight from the hive "yucky!"

[Honeycomb]

There are a couple of people I know who are kind of weirded out by the honey which came straight from my hive. They just are not into it at all, and don't even want to try it. They have this notion of how honey is supposed to be, you know, the cheap generic stuff that all looks and tastes the same. One person thought it looked 'kinda dark' and also wonders just how clean it is, as if bees were using the hive as some kind of urinal as well. I think he thinks that if it isn't strained and heated to the nth degree that it is unsanitary. One woman who is the mother of a friend of mine, refuses to try it. Has anyone had this kind of experience with people? My honey is beautiful and delicious and has absolutely nothing wrong with it. I do remember though the first time I had ever tried honey that was different than 'typical' honey. I was surprised at how different it tasted, and did not realize that there were so many different varieties of honey, with different colors and flavors. Can anyone point me to a good link or article that goes into the honey varieties, what makes them different, and also discusses the cleanliness of it as well as how enzymes are preserved by not heating it, etc...I would like to just have something educational that I can pass on to these people and anyone else who thinks 'different' honey is strange or unsanitary.

[honeybeekeeper]

Here is a link that gives some information on types of honey that might be helpful! If you need more information you can try the google search, you will be able to find alot of information on there!

http://www.honeyo.com/types.shtml

[indypartridge]

There are a couple of people I know who are kind of weirded out by the honey which came straight from my hive. ... Has anyone had this kind of experience with people?

Yes, these are the same people who are weirded out by the thought that the meat comes from animals. To them, "chicken" is something in sterile packages they buy at MegaMart. Eggs are lily-white and come in cartons, not the dirty brown things hens poop out. They don't want your bee-vomit, they want the "pure" stuff from the store. They probably prefer lo-cal "imitation" honey.

[raosmun]

Yes, these are the same people who are weirded out by the thought that the meat comes from animals. To them, "chicken" is something in sterile packages they buy at MegaMart. Eggs are lily-white and come in cartons, not the dirty brown things hens poop out. They don't want your bee-vomit, they want the "pure" stuff from the store. They probably prefer lo-cal "imitation" honey.

Ya; and they breed and vote to. s

[Andrew Dewey]

I wouldn't depend solely on academic articles to show your honey is both good and safe to eat. Talk with your customers about what you do - sanitation practices, straining (you do get the bee parts out, right?) and then tell them anecdotal stuff about honey found still good to eat in the pyramids - that kind of thing. Tell them that honey is a wonderful natural food that takes on the characteristics of what the bees forage on. And your honey is extra great because it is local artisan honey, produced in small batches, making extra/additional processing of the honey unnecessary.

[scdw43]

I like the breed and vote comment.

[B Reeves]

My son inlaw has the same problem with our chicken eggs, and hard work
Bob

[Stanisr]

I am a High School Agriculture teacher and I have delt with this problem for many years. You may try your state land grant college for info, but my experence is that most people like you described are closed minded and you are fighting a loosing battle.

[lighto]

Ya; and they breed and vote to. s

LOL

[wildflowerlanehoney]

same breeders and voters in ohio!

[Omie]

Maybe you need to start offering or promoting your honey to people who 'get it'.

[Grant]

I run into a few of these folks at the farmer's markets, and some people that think I'm exploiting those poor bees.

Here's a hint: you'll never convince them. Unless you like debating brick walls as a hobby. Even then you'll not convince them.

I usually smile, nod and wish them well. Then turn to a customer who wants my honey and I greet them with a statement like, "And how can I improve your health today?"

Grant
Jackson, MO http://maxhoney.homestead.com

[Roland]

Culture better customers.

Roland

[hemichuck]

I was way down in the inner city one day taking down a bee tree and a guy a couple of doors down came out and ask if he could have a piece of comb with some honey in it so I broke him off a little piece.He walked off down the street and within 10 minutes about 20 more people showed up wanting a piece of comb honey.They pretty much wiped out all the exposed comb that I took down and they were all over the street corners with sticky fingers and big smiles.

[tct1w]

Yeah I guess there are always some in the every crowd. If they dont like the honey,doesnt think it sanitary,or whatever just let it go. As someone said earlier,find folks that appreciate what you are doing. I am lucky and the people I sell honey too appreciate what they are getting. Good luck Dave

[PeterC]

Everyone when I tell them i have some bees jump at the chance to get the "Good" stuff from me instead of the store bought honey.
When my bees get into full swing I could be onto a good thing here

[bee happy]

Send your friends to this site. Might convince them that what you are producing is the best kind of honey.

http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/

[valleyman]

Raosman,
Sad, but you just summed up the majority of the American populus. Honey, they don't know about except what they've read or heard on TV. what they don't realize that we are in an age, and supreme court rulings, that the writers or TV don't have to tell the truth with no ramifucations. This is the most uninformed populus in the world, because not many take the time to learn the truth.
Anyone that doesn't understand the purity and differient tastes of honey can't be helped.

[S&H]

Send your friends to this site. Might convince them that what you are producing is the best kind of honey.

http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/

$14.70 for a 1 lb jar; nice if you can get it, especially considering that no straining is done.

[Hemlock]

I live out in the country so I can say I've never seen such behavior. To get beef, pork, chickens, turkey, eggs, fish, vegtables, fruits, and flour we go to someones farm. I can't imagine anybody would dislike raw honey! It boggles the mind!

Hey, if they want to eat flavored HFCS or boiled honey then let them. More good Honey for us. To that end, anyone who visits & stays with us is always handed a spoon and escorted down to the hives. Where I pull a frame for them to dip the spoon into and sample the honey. We have yet to see a refusal thankfully.