Scientific Analysis of Hackney Garden Honey

I have sent my honey for analysis of content to the University of Wales and the National Honey Monitoring Scheme (NHMS).  These samples help NHMS assess the long term floral resources in an ever changing environment.  The 2021 sample enables plant DNA barcoding and enables pesticide residue analysis.  A sample is also kept in the National Honey Archive.

Every honey crop will taste slightly different because of the plants that the bees have visited.  The analysis below is for the summer honey crop in 2020 and identifies the main plants visited by the bees and also content against the national standards for natural sugars and water content.

Does my honey meet the national standard for sugar content?

Yes, the natural 'flower' sugar content should be 70-88%.  Hackney Garden Honey sample of 2020 was 80% and 2021 82%

Does my honey have the correct water content to prevent the growth of yeasts that cause fermentation and spoilage?

Yes, water content must be below 20% to be safe.  Analysis in 2020 identified 18.5% water content and in 2021 it is16%.  This is because I never extract honey until it has been capped off with wax by the bees.

What plants do my bees collect nectar and pollen from?

The top 15 most abundant pollens found in the 2020 summer honey were:
37% Bramble
17% Privet
15% Green Alkanet
6% Ilex Perado (Holly)
4% Mock Orange
3% Ceanothus
3% Sycamore
3% Lime Tree
2.5% Cat's Ear
2.5% Musk Rose
1% Stag's Horn Sumach
1% Noolke Cypress
1% Bastard Cabbage
1% Elder
Plus traces of numerous other flowering plants and grasses

Buff tailed bumblebee with full pollen sacs on a Cambrian poppy                                 Red coloured horsechestnut pollen stored by honeybees