2.17 Praparing comb honey, soft set, naturally set, liquid honey, wax, candles and mead for the show bench Flashcards
Starting with small blocks how can beeswax be prepared for the show bench.
• Obtain a 6in oven proof glass bowl. Polish the inside of the bowl with jeweller’s rouge
9or Brasso) until your arm hurts.
• Wash and rinse thoroughly then place in plastic bag until required.
• Select your very best wax. Filter between 65 to 90C through lint (fluffy side inside)
twice. Then filter through filter paper such as a coffee filter.
• Take your bowl. There is no need for a releasing agent. The inside should be absolutely
dry and sparkly.
• Heat the mould and a piece of thick glass big enough to cover the mould to 70C,
• Gently pour the required amount of wax as set by the show rules into the mould. If
there are any bubbles prick them as they surface.
• Put the glass and the mould in the warming oven at 70C making sure it is level.
• Allow to cool slowly. The aim is to allow the wax to cool at such a rate that it sets
throughout the wax at the same time.
• It is now time to release the block and it’s tricky. Place the bowl upside down over a
folded tea towel so that no damage is done when it drops away. If it doesn’t come first
time, give it a gentle tap. If it still doesn’t move, place half an inch of cold water on top
of the mould with 4-5 ice cubes and place in the fridge. Within 30 minutes the block
should float up.
• Remove any flakes from around the edge. Polish with lint soaked in methylated spirits.
• Exhibit in a glass case.
Criteria that a show judge uses to evaluate the following class:
Six 454 jars of light honey labelled as offered for sale (including retail points)
The show judge is looking for :
Cleanliness, Clarity, Aroma, Brightness, Colour, Viscosity, Water Content and Frosting.
In this class they will also be checking that the label meets the legal requirements, its design and the presence of a tamper label.
Clarity.
The judge will use a torch to shine through the jar looking for any impurities, any
“extraneous matter’ that should not be there. Customers are likely to do the same on the
grounds of poor cleanliness and hygiene.
The judge will also be looking for the first signs of crystallisation in the honey. The presence of a smoke haze of minute crystals or worse will very soon bring about crystallisation.
Retail points; the atmosphere in shops is seldom ideal and crystallisation is likely to be
hastened if there are any imperfections in the honey. Cleanliness is paramount.
Aroma.
Taste should match the aroma. An unpleasant taste can stem from contact with products of a pronounced odour or use of a strongly tainted cleaning material amongst
others, e.g an unpleasant tasting floral source such as ragwort. The taste should not give a tickling or burning sensation at the back of the throat.
Brightness and colour.
Liquid honey should be bright and clear. If it is dull looking and not about to granulate
then it might contain some honey dew. This will be rejected by the show judge and the
customer is unlikely to buy more and may seek a refund.
Viscosity and water content.
Honey should not be so thin that it falls rapidly from the
judge’s tasting rod when sampled. Neither should it be so dense that it balls on the tongue. From a retail point of view, the first is a sign that the moisture content is too high and the honey is ‘unripe’ and therefore likely to ferment on the shop shelf. If too dense the
exhibitor/vendor may have over-processed the honey to obtain brightness and reduce the water content.
Frosting.
These patterns of crystals spoil the look of the honey and as such will deter the purchaser but they do not spoil the taste or aroma. It is not acceptable in a honey show.
In addition booth the show judge and the customer will require clean jars, new bright lids,
the honey surface free from dust and air scum or froth around the surface.
The Label
Must meet the legal requirements: an accurate description of the product; name and
address of the vendor; weight in grams at less 4mm high; weight in imperial in brackets if
required; lot number, best before date: country of origin.
For both show and retail an attractive design will appeal as will the design of the tamper
label.
Frosting
This ugly pattern forms on the inside of the jars, mainly under the shoulders of the jar. It is caused by air in the honey being squeezed out as the honey crystallises. It occurs more in naturally crystallised honey than in soft set honey
Honey should be prepared 7 days before a show. Scrape any impurities on top of honey off before showing.
Cool very slowly to minimise frosting
Granulation T G/W G/F V N S S
Temperature: >30°C none <10°C slow Stops altogether below 4.5°C
Glucose/Water ratio: The higher the ratio the quicker the granulation
Glucose/Fructose ratio: The higher the ratio the quicker the granulation (Rape honey has a high glucose content)
Viscosity inhibits granulation, as crystals cannot move easily
Nuclei promote granulation: crystals form around impurities
Stirring speeds granulation up
Speed: faster granulation = smaller crystals and smoother honey
Preparation of section cases for showing
There are two types of section
A. Standard Basswood, with three split sides
B. Round plastic type, which bees seem to prefer because there are no corners to fill and the queen will rarely lay in them
To prepare square sections (Basswood)
1. warm them prior to painting the inside of the section with molten wax excluding the corners
2. to prevent sagging, using only a thin strip of foundation standing only 1⁄4inch (6mm) proud of the section; insert it with points of the hexagons towards the top
3. After carefully removing complete sections, scrape burr comb and propolis off
4. Store upright in tins at <4°C
5. Prepare rounds in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
6. Good sections should weigh about 16oz (454g), have good even cappings with no weeping or granulation and no evidence of Braula or Wax Moth
Preparation of cut comb for show
Cut comb is produced from unwired, light, worker based foundation or “starters” 3⁄4” (2cms.) depth in Manley frames.
When the comb is fully sealed, it is removed, cut out completely around the frame timber and laid on its side, on a Waldron queen excluder over a large tray.
It is then cut into suitable pieces to fill the plastic container neatly in one piece. The usual container will hold 8ozs/227g of comb honey. Cutting may be done with a sharp pointed knife but preference is for a template obtainable from any bee supplier.
The cut comb sections must be left on a grid to allow any loose honey to drain off. Granulation around the edges of the cut comb will occur quite quickly so the producer should deliver in small lots to ensure a quality product.
Store at 4°C or less (freeze)
Look to ensure no pollen and the comb is not standing in honey as both a viewed badly by judge.
Beeswax candles
Judging criteria
Two candles normally required, one will be lit by the judge
Quality of beeswax must be as high as required for exhibition of wax blocks
Colour: pale straw to light orange
Aroma: pleasant wax aroma
Appearance: smooth surface, clear and bright, no air bubbles, cracks, particulate matter or other blemishes
Pairs must be a perfect match
Wicks must be positioned centrally top and bottom
Wicks must be of the correct size
Candle must burn correctly without spluttering
Must give good light
There should be no join marks from the mould
Candle should look good
Candle must be displayed erect in secure holders
A standard type of holder must be used if specified in the schedule
Preparation
1. Prepare wax using steps 1 – 5 of the wax block preparation
2. Select the correct diameter of wick for the size of candle
3. Prime the wick by immersing in molten wax, temperature less than 90°C. Leave for one minute then remove and hold straight until wax solidifies
Moulding candles
Latex moulds
4. The mould must be coated by a releasing agent of unscented washing up liquid or glycerol
5. Pour in molten wax ensuring that the wick remains straight and there are no air bubbles
6. Wait until wax has solidified but is still warm
7. Remove the mould and allow to cool
Silicone rubber moulds
4. No releasing agent required
5. Ensure mould fits perfectly at the join otherwise a mark will be left
6. Fill with molten wax ensuring that the wick remains straight and there are no air bubbles
7. Allow to cool completely before removing the mould
Solid moulds
4. Use releasing agent as per latex mould
5. Fill with wax and allow to cool thoroughly before removing from the mould
Dipped candles
6. Repeatedly dip the wick into a pot of molten wax, temperature 70-80°C
7. At intervals the candles should be rolled on a sheet of glass to keep them straight and round
8. The drip that forms on the bottom must be cut off at intervals
All candles
After moulding or dipping, the exposed wick should be dipped in molten wax. The base of the candle should be trimmed to ensure it is smooth and flat.
Wicks for candles
Correct size - flame will flicker, melt pool of 1/2 inch deep and extends to edge of container evenly. Wick burns with no carbon build up
Too small - the candle won’t burn out to the edge of the candle but will burn down the middle. May extinguish itself before all the wax has burned
Too big - Flame too tall and flickers. Melt pool greater than 1/2 inch deep . Excessive carbon causes wick to mushroom and
Judges looking for - candles
Identicle in every respect
Pure beeswax as specified (dipped, moulded, pressed
No surface flaws, bubbles mould, scratches, especially at the top
Colour pale yellow to golden orange
Scent
Correct wick, waxed and ready to light, central, good light
Light one to check wick is correct size
Suitably mounted
Lit in draft proof ventilated room for 20 mins
Judges looking for - beeswax
Weight and thickness reflect schedule Colour - pale primrose to orange Purity Uniformity Translucent Plasticity and good texture Polished or unpolished No cracks
Prep of soft set honey for show
7 days before show, scrape filtered honey left to ripen
Heat course grained honey to 32 °c over 2 days
Heat seed (10%) to 21°C (porridge)
Pour seed into liquid honey and stir steadily until distributed
Set aside for a few days to crystalise
Heat again to 30°C
Stir again (porridge) and bottle
Store at 12°C to set like butter
If no seeding necessary, heat to 30°C stir then bottle.
Preparation of wax block for show
Cappings only, wash in soft water and dry
Melt to 64°C in water bath
Filter 1 into clean soft water, lint fluffy side up
Filter 2 through filter paper into clean container
Select a perfect unblemished mould
When the wax is finally poured the mould will be standing in hot water in the washing up bowl. The level of this water must now be marked. Stand the mould on the grid in the bowl and pour water into the bowl until the level of the water is 1 inch below the level marked on the mould.
The mould must now be prepared for casting.
Thoroughly wash the inside with hot water and liquid detergent. Dry carefully with non fluffy cloth. Add two or three drops of both soft water and liquid detergent and rub this with the fingers all over the inside of the mould until the surface appears dry.
While preparing the mould put the jug containing the filtered wax in water in a large saucepan and heat until wax melts, taking care that the temperature of the wax does not rise above 90° C.
In the meantime put the mould upside down and the glass sheet in the oven to get just too hot to hold without gloves.
Pouring.
At time of pouring the temperature of the wax should be within 1° C of 70° C (158° F) and the hot water in the washing up bowl 66° C (151° F). Just before pouring stand the jug of wax in 1 inch ice water in a soup plate, to congeal any dirt which may be at the bottom.
Pour hot water into bowl and adjust temperature to 66° C and check that its level is that marked on bowl. Lower the mould into the water, being careful that no dirt or water falls into it. The mould will float before the wax is poured. Wipe the outside of the jug and pour wax into the middle of the mould. Examine for surface bubbles, and remove any by touching with a warm skewer. Cover the mould with the hot glass and cover all with a light cloth. By this method the hot glass keeps the surface of the wax hotter than the bulk of the wax and results in a smooth level surface, this is to be desired.
In the morning take the mould and wax out of the bowl. Pour off the water, refill the bowl with cold water and immerse mould and wax in it. The wax should float out but this may take a little time. If release is long delayed, remove mould and wax from the bowl, fill mould with water, add some blocks of ice and stand in refrigerator. When the wax floats do not attempt to remove the wax from the mould. Fill the bowl with cold water, place the mould in it so that the wax floats clear of the mould. Lay a clean folded cloth on the table and place the cake of wax air side down on it. Mop off any water on mould side with blotting paper. When the cake is quite cold carefully turn it over and carefully rub round the sharp edge with the thumb or a soft cloth. Be very careful to prevent any crumbs of wax being rubbed into the cake. Now examine the mould side with a lens for any specks. These and any smearing can be removed by polishing with surgical lint soaked with methylated spirit. If polishing is necessary and methylated spirit is used, the process is similar to french polishing, the wax being slightly soluble in the spirit a very thin film of wax is removed. Should more drastic polishing be required this may be done by the addition of a little carbon tetrachloride to the spirit, in this case always have a second pad of methylated spirit at hand to remove the waxy carbon tetrachloride. WARNING. Any use of carbon tetrachloride should be in a draught so that any fumes are dispersed quickly. On no account should one smoke, there is no fire hazard but the effect of drawing carbon tetrachloride vapour through burning tobacco is to produce phosgene. It is inadvisable to polish the air side which should be quite flat. Ideally there should be no polishing of either side, apart from gentle rubbing on the mould side with a piece of soft well worn silk.
Packing for Show
It is generally recommended that wax should be presented on the bench in a glazed case. There are at least three disadvantages. Cases often acquire a musty or wood smell which may be imparted to the wax. Cases take up a lot of room on the show bench. If cases are damaged in transit the glass may be broken and spoil the exhibit. More people are now putting their wax in plastic bags and protecting it with soft plastic foam inside an outer container. Make quite certain that the plastic bag and other packing have no smell. It is very seldom that a cake of wax that has been at one show is fit to be shown again. Dust and damage by the public who will finger the exhibit are responsible. Do not be dismayed, refilter and recast the cake. Provided that the suggested temperatures are not exceeded there will be no appreciable alteration in colour. There will be a loss of weight but you should have wax in hand from the original filtration and this can be added to the damaged cake for further filtering and casting.
Preparation of comb exhibits
Freeze for 24-48 hours (-10 to -18°C)
Free from brood, pollen, propolis, braula, etc.
Evenly drawn (suitable for uncapping to edges)
Cappings level, dry, no stains or weeping
Clean frame, new thin foundation, no wires, attached to comb on all sides
Labelled according to regs
Test: Aroma (honey from 1 cell), against light for pollen, propolis, evidence of syrup, etc. uniform colour, clean well presented showcase, correct weight.
