ARKANSAS BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION BEE & HONEY FACTS

Click Here for Some "Beelicious" Honey Recipes Arkansas Beekeepers In the News From NBC News Online: Arkansas beekeepers produce record crop Little Rock, AR -- Arkansas beekeepers produced a record honey crop last year, pushing the state from 10th to 8th in the country. The National Honey Board says Arkansas produced 5.65 million pounds of honey last year, an 11% increase. California ranked first, with 27.6 million pounds. But total US production fell to a 12-year low of 186 million pounds. Also, prices fell to lows around 45 cents then rose after tariffs were imposed on overseas imports. Beekeepers predict the higher prices won't last much longer, though. LEADING PRODUCTION STATES Honey is produced in every state. The following states are the top honey producing states for 2001: California 27,625,000 $18,509,000 North Dakota 26,880,000 $17,472,000 Florida 22,000,000 $13,640,000 South Dakota 15,275,000 $9,776,000 Montana 13,872,000 $9,017,000 Minnesota 10,935,000 $6,889,000 Texas 7,663,000 $4,904,000 Arkansas 5,655,000 $3,732,000 Wisconsin 5,427,000 $4,125,000 Louisiana 4,770,000 $2,862,000 Color, Flavor and Form Honeys differ in color and flavor depending on what blossoms the honey bees visit in search of nectar. Honey color ranges from almost colorless to dark amber brown and its flavor varies from delectably mild to richly bold. As a general rule, light-colored honey is milder in taste and dark-colored honey is stronger Honey comes in a variety of forms including liquid, whipped and comb. Free of any crystals or wax, liquid honey is extracted from the comb in the hive by centrifugal force, gravity, straining or other means. Whipped honey (also known as creamed honey) is finely crystalized so that it remains creamy and spreadable. Comb honey is honey that comes as it was produced - in the honey bees' wax comb. Storage Store honey at room temperature - your kitchen counter or pantry shelf is ideal. Storing honey in the refrigerator accelerates the honey's crystalization. Crystalization is the natural process in which the liquid in honey becomes solid. If your honey crystalizes, simply place the honey jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve. Or, place the honey in a microwave-safe container with the lid off and microwave it, stirring every 30 seconds, until the crystals dissolve. Be careful not to boil or scorch the honey. Health Benefits Research has shown that unlike most sweeteners, honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. Honey, a rich source of carbohydrates, provides a quick source of energy. Honey's unique composition makes it an effective antimicrobial agent, useful for treating minor burns and scrapes, and for aiding the treatment of sore throats and other bacterial infections. Note: Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.