Rivendell Bees - Autumn Honey

Honey bees can continue producing honey during the early part of autumn, provided there are still enough nectar-rich flowers available for them to forage. 
Typically, bees slow down their honey production as temperatures drop and daylight hours decrease, but autumn can still provide them with a valuable nectar source before winter arrives, and we may be lucky enough to share in the seasonal bounty with them!
Some of the plants that bloom later in the year provide bees with the nectar they need to produce honey. Key sources of nectar in the autumn include ivy, heather, balsam and Himalayan balsam, and late flowering wild flowers.
The flavour of autumn honey tends to be more robust and full-bodied compared to honey produced in the spring or summer. 
Ivy nectar contributes a bold and sometimes pungent taste, and can be a little more bitter than other varieties. It tends to crystallise quickly.
Heather honey is prized for its distinctively rich and aromatic taste. It can have a smoky, floral flavour with earthy undertones, and it often has a slightly gelatinous texture.
If wildflowers contribute to the mix, the honey may take on more delicate floral notes, although this depends on the specific flowers available to the bees.
We harvest autumn honey in small amounts, as it's crucial to leave plenty of stores for the bees over winter.