[Beewildered61]

Some folks on another forum I am on, asked me if I had heard of it. They posted a link to a blog someone had, that was saying they had heard of some beekeepers getting purple honey, but usually it was only a small amount, and they didn't know where/what type of plant it came from.....

 

[beemandan]

I have seen kudzu honey that could be described as purple.

 

[snl]

I think Prince sang the song "Purple Rain."

 

[Dominic]

Reminds me of that smarties honey in France that turned out Blue, or that factory (some kind of candy I think) that turned out red honey in the States...

I'd have it analyzed if I were them, to see what kind of pollen can be found in it.

 

[Edymnion]

Yeah, my first reaction upon hearing that someone got funky colored honey is "Somebody's neighbor put up a hummingbird feeder in a dearth."

 

[snl]

There was a beekeeper up in Balto. He kept wondering why his honey was so dark. Turns out the bees were flying across the harbor and getting their "honey" from a Molasses tank!

 

[Mr.Beeman]

I've only seen purple honey once. It was just after inhaling beehive air. lol
Sorry ... couldn't resist.

Never seen it actually.

 

[beemandan]

There was a fellow in south Alabama who was able to make kudzu honey. He said that it only produced a surplus on occasional years. His was purple.
Also...a link to more info.
http://www.honeybeesuite.com/purple-honey/

 

[Paul McCarty]

I thought some Buckwheat honey had a purplish tint. Don't see it much so can't really say.

 

[gone2seed]

Kudzu,though I would describe the color as lavender.

 

[beeware10]

we used to have a yard by a vineyard. after harvest the bees picked up juice from the broken grapes. have seen up to 10lbs in a super.

 

[Beewildered61]

thanks... I have heard of some of the same things, kudzu, blueberries, grapes and the candy factory in France.... I wondered if bees like wisteria and if it might be purple? I would think there is so much kudzu though there would be lots of purple honey if it was from that? Just thinking out loud here....wonder if I scattered blueberries and grapes around the edges of the garden would the bees get it? or would I just draw a bunch of yellow jackets?

 

[Jacobs]

In 2007, one of our Guilford County Beekeeper members harvested a few frames of it. The family and bees actually were located near the Fort Bragg area. Our local forum board has a posting about it, including several pictures of honey, and an e mail from Don Hopkins, chief NC apiary inspector, discussing the various theories behind it. My recollection was that it was a very sweet, light bodied honey. I don't recall any distinct flavor like fruity, etc. That may just be my faulty taste buds.

 

[Beewildered61]

thanks... do you by chance have a link, or could I access it?

 

[Jacobs]

Here is the link to the post on our local forum. I don't think I'm violating any rules by posting it, but the moderators should feel free to remove it if they feel it does.

http://www.guilfordbeekeepers.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=440&hilit=purple+honey

 

[dustin19d]

I pulled several gallons of purple honey from one of my hives this year. We are located in Hoke County, NC near Ft. Bragg.

I contacted Professor David Tarpy from the Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University and while he didn't seem to interested in me sending in a sample for analysis he did point me towards the research his predecessor, Dr. John Ambrose did on the subject back in the 70's.

Here is a link where you can read a little about his studies
http://www.ourstate.com/blue-honey/

And if you want the try the honey out yourself, here you go:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171520746384...84.m1555.l2649