Extraction is the separation of honey from the comb. Honey that leaves the hive in perfect condition can be spoiled at this stage; preparation and order therefore determine the quality.

Before extracting: ripeness

The criterion is capping, not the calendar. When the bees have evaporated enough water they cap the cell.

A frame that is mostly capped can be extracted. On a partly capped frame the moisture must be measured; honey taken too early ferments and the whole batch is lost.

The extraction room

• It must be closed to bees. An open room invites robbing and makes work impossible
• The air must be dry. Honey draws moisture from the air; honey standing open in a damp room takes up water
• It should be warm. Cold honey flows badly; excessive heat spoils quality
• It must be clean. Food hygiene rules apply

Uncapping

The wax cappings over the cells are removed with a fork, a knife or a heated knife.

Cappings wax should be collected separately: it is the cleanest and lightest-coloured wax source and is ideal for having your own foundation made.

Extracting

• In a tangential extractor, start slowly, turn the frame, then increase speed. Spinning a full side hard breaks the comb
• In a radial extractor both sides are spun at once; no turning is needed
• Avoid damaging the comb; drawn comb is a valuable asset

After extraction

Coarse straining

Wax particles and coarse debris are removed. Fine filtration should not be used — it removes the pollen grains as well and erases the trace of the honey's geographical origin.

Settling

Honey does not go straight into jars. It is left to stand; air bubbles and fine wax particles rise to the surface and are skimmed off.

If this step is skipped the honey in the jar looks cloudy and frothy.

Materials

Honey is acidic and corrodes unsuitable metal; the corroded metal enters the honey.

• Suitable: Stainless steel, food-grade plastic, glass
• Unsuitable: Untreated steel, copper, zinc, galvanised metal

The value of separate extraction

Extracting separately by flow period and by apiary gains three things: it makes a single-flower claim defensible, it preserves differences in character, and it provides traceability if a problem arises.

Combining everything in one tank loses all three.

Comb after extraction

Extracted combs can be returned to the colonies to be cleaned. Do this in the evening and watch for robbing.

Combs to be stored must be dry and clean, and protected against wax moth.