Japanese knotweed yields a monofloral honey, usually called bamboo honey by northeastern U.S. beekeepers, like a mild-flavored version of buckwheat honey. Darker than any honey I have seen yet. Member. 2 years ago. Bee lovers have found another use for Japanese knotweed. It says: If the insect is what the name implies, write the two words separately; otherwise run them together. “An orange honey from the Mediterranean tastes different as well.” Charles Mraz of Champlain Valley Apiaries (motto: “The flower’s fragrance is its flavor”), is a third generation bee keeper. My town has already cut the knotweed down once and it’s all grown back in months time!! Our Raw Honey for Rooibos is produced from the nectar of Japanese Knotweed. I’m a beekeeper and I’ve heard that bees can’t pass the winter only with this kind of honey, due to very quick crystalization. Thus we have such names as house fly, blow fly, and robber fly contrasted with dragonfly, caddicefly, and butterfly, because the latter are not flies, just as an aphislion is not a lion and a silverfish is not a fish. 1 - 50-count bag of Honeysticks to soothe the throat, 1 - 0.75oz tube of Honey and Beeswax Handcream to ease dry hands. Our Summer Wildflower Honey has a dark amber color with a full bodied natural flavor harvested in late summer when bees forage on golden rod, Japanese knotweed, cucumber, squash & pumpkin, and herbs such as thyme, lavender, bee balm & oregano. The distinct dark amber color and deep, rich flavor make it a superb choice for sweetening your rooibos teas. I encourage you to try some if you haven't, or maybe your holding back thinking its flavor profile is similar to buckwheat honey. Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica (formerly Polygonum cuspidatum), is an herbaceous perennial in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Our golden rod is in full bloom and the knotweed should be blooming within the next week. If it weren’t for them, the only significant honey plants we’d have this time of year would be goldenrod (which is unreliable) and a number of asters (which have kind of small, sparse blooms). Although they may seem small and insignificant, pollinators are vital to anyone who eats. This has a very slight maple syrup flavor. But she sure is cute, all cuddled up in that flower. Our honey is never heated or filtered to remove bits of beeswax, pollen, or other impurities. The non-native European Honey Bee is the state insect of: Not one native bee is a state insect. Bamboo honey is difficult to produce and isolate as a monofloral honey. It could be steamed. The hollow stems are often cut into lengths and bundled for use as native bee habitat. The honey has a dark, molassy appearance, but the flavor is much sweeter than that of Buckwheat Honey. Please note the honey … “I think the honey we get here in the Champlain Valley of Vermont has a really remarkable flavor and a complex range of flavors,” he said. The signature color adds a distinct flare to any dish that you add knotweed honey to. An interesting honey, and hard to find. In the US, Japanese Knotweed it is an invasive plant that is related to buckwheat. We have also used it in honey roasted butternut … Only a few drops are needed, so try about 10 or 20 drops (0.5ml to 1ml) per kg of food and adjust to taste. Being warm at serving time also enhances the flavor. The European honey bee has been in North America almost as long as the Europeans who brought it. Japanese Knotweed gives us the best tasting honey in Maine redbrookhoney. Is a rich full-flavored honey with a subtle berry (think black berry) finish. A cute presentation for a honey connoisseur! Neighbors have the same.”. Still, it is good and definitely worth a try—you can often find it sold as “bamboo honey,” especially on the east coast. 1 - 80-count bag of Honey Candy to soothe the throat. He calls his honey clover honey because much of it is based on clovers. Nothing is native, not plants or honey bees. The owner of this invasive marvel says, “Standing next to the knotweed almost sounded like you were standing next to a hive.” She also said, “I hear knotweed is invasive and hard to get rid of. Each jar is labelled with the name of the varietal. After it conquers the yard it will conquer the house. Origin: Pennsylvania, USA | 3" wide x 3.5" tall If you require larger volumes please contact us. Its Well liked by bees, the blossoms provide bee forage when little else is available. The amber honey has a pleasing flavor. Lady’s Thumb (Polygonum persicaria) This is sometimes called heart’s ease, spotted knotweed, and spotted lady’s thumb. zzwergel. My bees are buzzing so loud, happy as can bee, or is me that’s happy? It makes sense. … Mine tastes nothing like buckwheat, which I compare to molasses in taste. Its a great table honey for tea and toast, just as good for baking. We will wait for the bees to finish having their fun, and then work on removing the knotweed. Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe 3.02K. In UK, it is considered illegal to plant or grow this specied in wild but could be grown simply in the garden or own land. Has a nice malty flavor, perhaps with a very subtle toffee undertone. The honey bee is an insect and is preeminently a bee; “honeybee” is equivalent to “Johnsmith.” I’ve been noticing that most of the best fall honey plants we have around here are invasives: -Spotted knapweed Its knotweed honey! Make no wonder our fall is usually the heaviest nectar flow. Fall Dark Honey - Mixed floral variety consisting primarily of Japanese Knotweed. My side yard looks like I’m growing knotweed as a crop. Our Bamboo Honey is made by 100% by our bees here in Pennsylvania. In the US, Japanese Knotweed it is an invasive plant that is related to buckwheat. If so, how does it spread? See Campaign for Solitary Bees https://www.facebook.com/Solitary.bees. Thank you. The sauce would also dress up baked pork chops. It was a beautiful and dark honey. Small pieces get carried around on tires, in streams, by animals, birds, etc. Our honey is all-natural, made proudly in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts by our own honeybees, and possesses no flavor or color additives of any sort. Some of my local members have commented on the taste & smell of the honey. The closest relative of a North American native bee to make the list is the Tarantula Hawk Wasp, the state insect of New Mexico. Learn how your comment data is processed. The pictures below were taken in Kirkland, Washington yesterday afternoon. All of our honey is 100% pure U.S. honey - there is no blending or alteration done to any of our honey! It can even be used as a simple spread on biscuits. "Hives smell like dirty socks, but the taste is good". Dave. I just harvested 77.5 pounds of Japanese knotweed honey between Covington & Black Diamond, WA… OMG it’s dark, darker than the buckwheat honey I’ve had, and the flavor is wonderful… You can’t even see the bottom of a tablespoon of this stuff. Japanese knotweed flowers are valued by some beekeepers as an important source of nectar for honeybees, at a time of year when little else is flowering. Bamboo is a common nickname for Japanese knotweed, because the stalk of the plant is hollow and segmented similar to Bamboo stalks. It grows in patches on hillsides. Please browse the categories below to learn more! I ask because it is a beautiful plant that was abuzz… When I put the car window down, honey bees flew into the car. In 2019, the company released Dance Language as a variety 4-pack, with each bottle featuring a different single-source honey, including blueberry honey, Japanese knotweed honey, black button sage honey and meadowfoam honey. Along with condensation from respiration, the bees do fine on it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It is non-discriminatory, encompassing both honey bees and wild bees. The flavor has been described as sweet and nutty. I love it…top 100 worst weeds… but if we just overlook that…. Shop’n Save sells japanese knotweed honey. Get the best price for raw honey in bulk. -Queen Anne’s Lace Honey Dust is a free-flowing combination of sugar and honey, making a sweet powder treat. Either way goldenrod and knotweed are abundent and that’s a good thing! We recommend using Bamboo Honey in autumn and winter baked goods, bread, pies, cookies, and cakes. Although the sweet white clover and yellow hawkweed seem to be around for most of the summer. Our bees gather Knotweed nectar from the fields of a pumpkin farm in Sultan, WA. It derives from a plant called Japanese Knotweed, which is also known as American Bamboo, Mexican Bamboo, or Smartweed. Lately, I’ve been enjoying them sauteed with a few other abundant spring greens, along with some tomatoes, which really compliment the sour flavor of the Knotweed. We are a family-owned beekeeping business that specializes in artisanal varietal honeys, beeswax candles, and related products. But if you can look past that detail, it is actually a pretty plant with large spade-shaped leaves and showy cream-colored flowers. This website is made possible by people like you. It originated in Asia, where it is eaten as a spring vegetable, and is used in a number of herbal remedies. Our raw Bamboo Honey is actually not from bamboo at all. I’ve read that the flowers are all female, making the seeds sterile. Knotweed honey has a very light flavor profile despite the dark color, a little more body up front with a smooth finish. The goldenrod is in bud,now, and if we get the expected rain from the remnants of Isaac, we should be OK for Fall. This honey is a very dark honey and also has a pleasant sweet taste to it. Where I live Himalayan balsam is the flavour of the month, you can see the bees returning covered in the white pollen as if they had been frolicking in flour. Your support matters. My friend, colleague, and bee-keeper in upstate New York showed me a picture of her Japanese Knotweed honey for this season. Curated Honey Sampler Set Muslin bag filled with four 3.3 oz jars of honey and a wooden honey dipper Spring Blossom Honey Summer Wildflower Honey Japanese Knotweed Honey New England Cranberry Honey Our Spring Blossom Honey is a light, golden hon Bamboo is dark like Buckwheat, yet has a sweeter flavor. Right at this very moment when no other plant is even thinking about it. Oregano! Honey Bee Suite is dedicated to honey bees, beekeeping, wild bees, other pollinators, and pollination ecology. I used it for a crumb bar recipe I normally prepare to use leftover cranberry sauce during the holidays, and it turned out fantastic. At this time of year in western Washington, you can hear these bushes before you see them. The sophisticated flavor complements a morning cup … Because it grows in most any condition, bee farmers find bees love its flowers and the honey that comes out, often called Knotweed Honey or Bamboo Honey, is a lot like Buckwheat Honey. It’s funny. Invasive yes. Knowing that the color of the honey gives a good indication as to the antioxidant content, I knew this honey was full of antioxidants and I had to try it! Mine is thick with bees right now. We’ll have to plant some enticing non-invasive flowers next year to make up for the lost habitat! This Care Package is designed for 5 or more people. Copyright 2004-20 The Bee Folks All rights reserved. Therefore! The stem diameters vary just enough to provide suitable housing for a wide range of tunnel-nesting bees, including mason bees and leafcutters. This gift box contains 10 different varietal honeys in 2oz bears. The World Conservation Union lists Japanese knotweed among the top 100 worst invasive plants. —From Anatomy of the Honey Bee by Robert E. Snodgrass. I have knotweed nearby ..within a mile and a half. It is a MAJOR nectar source here. This gift box contains 5 different varietal honeys in 2oz bears. The dark color of knotweed honey comes from it's rich mineral content. I frequently overwinter my bees on crystallized honey. Comes in a rustic linen bag. But what’s the best thing about knotweed? It comes from the Knotweed plant which is found predominately along waterways. Here hundreds of colonies died because of it. Regardless of dictionaries, we have in entomology a rule for insect common names that can be followed. Let the honey continue to flow. Japanese Knotweed produces a dark honey, Goldenrod honey is a medium honey, and Lambs Ear honey is light. Although it provides a significant source of nectar to honeybees when little else is blooming, this plant is an undesirable invasive plant. Bamboo Honey comes from the American bamboo plant, also known as Japanese knotweed. I’ve tried it and, personally, I don’t taste a resemblance. The conclusion to this experiment was that Japanese Knotweed honey added the most flavor to the cookies. It’s actually fairly pleasant. No, you can’t see it. But a lot of other plants are in there as well. It originated in Asia, where it is eaten as a spring vegetable, and is used in a number of herbal remedies. The solstice is here and so is bee season. Once the flowers die back, she should cut up the stems for native bees and get rid of the rest. If you are baking then please remember that some of the flavour will ‘flash off’ so … Japanese Knotweed root is one of the best remedies against Lyme disease. From asters and goldenrod; jewelweed and Japanese knotweed. I will try to photo them, I tried last year but just got blurred images, my camera skills aren’t too good! But common chicory (Cichorium intybus) is classified as a noxious weed here, and all I can say is Thank Heaven for chicory! Update! Comes from Hickory PA, not far from here. They sound like candidates for pollen tramps of the year. US$0.00, Candles That Look Like a Drinking Vessel, But Aren't. 19 Posts #13 • Sep 17, 2018. Its purpose it to discuss contemporary issues in beekeeping and bee science. Read more in Stephen Buhner’s book ‘Healing Lyme.’ It is the plant that many vitamin makers use for their resveratrol supplements. You will love the aroma and flavor of these raw honeys. Serious honey lovers only! Japanese Knotweed Honey, 9oz jar Yup, sounds like knotweed. Using varietal honeys is nothing new in brewing, but showcasing how varietal honeys impact beer flavor in a single 4-pack truly influenced the way consumers and brewers view … The honey is typically referred to as Bamboo Honey instead of Knotweed Honey, because the plant looks like bamboo. From asters and goldenrod; jewelweed and Japanese knotweed. For example, the knotweed flower is a valuable source of nectar for honeybees, which in turn produces mild-flavored knotweed honey for beekeepers. Many beekeepers manage to harvest a monofloral honey from the vast stands found locally. Use those roots! It is not near a stream. For a bee, the warmer seasons are a Mardi Gras parade of nectars. -Purple Loostrife Member. For a bee, the warmer seasons are a Mardi Gras parade of nectars. Cancel Unsubscribe. The sample I had crystallized quickly at a rate similar to buckwheat honey. The plant spreads by rhizomes which can be very, very long. . Good work, Minnesota! I love asparagus, I just don’t think it makes the best-mixed drink. It is designed to be informative and fun, but also to remind readers that pollinators throughout the world are endangered. My bees’ frames are full of bright white pollen, and nothing kills it or sets it back – a new crop of blooms every morning. This honey is a very dark honey and also has a pleasant sweet taste to it. The bees make this honey from the nectar of Japanese Knotweed flowers that typically bloom during late summer. It actually looked like molasses. Stick with knotweed infused alcohol for best results. Oh, and I’m pretty sure chicory is introduced. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Mine tastes nothing like buckwheat, which I compare to molasses in taste. Okay, we all know that Japanese knotweed is an invasive species, prone to tearing up your driveway, cracking your foundation, and choking rivers and streams. Thanks for the advice. The honey our bees gather from these plants is dark, robust, with an earthy, nutty, sweetness that stands well on its own, pair well with cheeses, breads, and add a real signature to a dish. The European honey bee has been in North America almost as long as the Europeans who brought it. Due to a nature of our HONEY handling and a fact that our product is totally raw, the color as well as the texture of honey may vary. If you cut up a rhizome with something like a rototiller, each of the pieces can grow into a new plant. The 15ml bottle contains around 300 drops* of high strength honey natural flavouring. I’m looking forward to seeing them all dressed in “flour.”, This is the best picture I got, unfortunately you can’t see the pollen on her back. Japanese knotweed yields a monofloral honey, usually called bamboo honey by northeastern U.S. beekeepers, like a mild-flavored version of buckwheat honey. -Tansy Wherever the pieces land, they can grow into a new plant. Tweet. In the second experiment, I made my family’s traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe with honey instead of sugar. The Japanese Knotwood (Fallopia japonica) is a towering bamboo like plant and a rich source of late season honey. At Crystal Honey, all our raw and unfiltered honey is harvested, extracted, and jarred straight from the hive. Other Facts: It was introduced in the 1800s to the Britain by Victorians as an ornamental plant. Right now. A cute presentation for a honey connoisseur! Once cooked, the flavor of Japanese knotweed changes a bit and it tastes a bit more like asparagus instead of rhubarb. We refuse to process our product to an always s same commercial year around look! 01/08/2020 at 9:12pm # I prefer my honey crystallized- less drippy, does not run off toast as quickly, yet blends into tea easily. -Thistle It’s not poison, it’s just a little short of water. We Extract our honey and put it in these pails which are then sealed until you open them. We’ve found that the raw form of crystalized honey gives the best flavor with a few extra nutrients from the unfiltered add-ins. In my climate the Goldenrod is coming into full bloom. All rights reserved Honey Bee Suite © 2009-2020 by Rusty Burlew. Perfect in coffee! His company produces tens of thousands of pounds a year from 700 or so hives. The plants may grow 5-8 feet tall in a dense, bush-like display. Well, we don’t have Japanese knotweed, and I hope we don’t get it. It is a miracle of nature, pollinating plants with abandon, while turning their nectars into one of nature’s most delicious substances. Shopping Cart Items: 0 Bombus affinis, the Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee, has been so honored. The Knotweed Rhubarb Sauce has a pleasantly sour flavor that works well in both savory and sweet dishes. You need a catchy name for your invasive honey. Do you have any photos? The Goldenrod and Lamb’s Ear cookies were very similar. . Beekeepers are everywhere. They are alive with pollinators and are particularly attractive to honey bees. Yet, ironically many would suggest the best time for applying herbicides is when the plant is in flower towards the end of summer. It is great on cornbread, oatmeal, or in sauces. Lots of folks use Japanese Knotweed shoots as a rhubarb substitute- and recipes using them in this way abound on the internet- but I prefer them in savory dishes. The honey has a dark, molassy appearance, but the flavor is much sweeter than that of Buckwheat Honey. This honey is the most popular as it is difficult to collect in volume. That’s easy: it’s in bloom.   Sub-Total : I’m looking at that list from Tim above for all the invasive plants and we have everyone of them here in Newfoundland. I’ve also seen it near homes that are miles away. Knotweed Honey is a dark, almost black, honey with a stronger malty flavor. There are several … Also an invasive species! $3/lb is about as low as you will see anywhere. Unless otherwise noted, all text and images appearing on HoneyBeeSuite.com are © Rusty Burlew 2009-2020 and may not be used without prior permission. ... over very low heat for a half hour, it remelts. Bamboo (Japanese Knotweed) Honey – Raw $ 13.00 – $ 342.00; Goldenrod Honey – Raw $ 10.00 – $ 300.00; Orange Blossom Honey – Raw $ 10.00 – $ 300.00; Variety Pack, Mixed Case of Raw Honey $ 35.00 – $ 310.00; Pure Beeswax $ 13.00; Raw Propolis Chunks $ 70.00; 100% of our honey is made by our bees; right here in your backyard. It commonly occurs in all regions. and cut them down, dry them, and make solitary bee nesting tubes! Introduced from Europe, this has naturalized in all states except Hawaii, particularly in damp or disturbed sites. Japanese Knotweed is also used in alcoholic drinks. For best results dilute our honey flavour into a key wet ingredient such as water, milk or egg. The honey is dark and flavorful, and many people compare it to a mild form of buckwheat honey. We focus on producing single-source wildflower honey, which we define as raw honey from one location and one time period. We now offer a Liquid option for customers wanting liquid honey. . Japanese knotweed yields a monofloral honey, usually called bamboo honey by northeastern U.S. beekeepers, like a mild-flavored version of buckwheat honey (a related plant also in the Polygonaceae Minnesota now has a state bee as well as a state insect. I just harvested 77.5 pounds of Japanese knotweed honey between Covington & Black Diamond, WA… OMG it’s dark, darker than the buckwheat honey I’ve had, and the flavor is wonderful… You can’t even see the bottom of a tablespoon of this stuff. Each jar is labelled with the name of the varietal. -Yellow hawkweed. Many people think it is some kind of bamboo because of its hollow stems and raised stem nodes, but it has no relation to true bamboo, which is actually a grass. And if you don’t harvest, it makes a great late-summer boost to a colony’s winter pantry. Yield: 1 drink Knotweed Gin and Tonic. Each time someone visits Honey Bee Suite, his or her location will appear on the map. The sap is used as dye rice noodles which provide a sour flavor. It is a miracle of nature, pollinating plants with abandon, while turning their nectars into one of nature’s most delicious substances. Loading... Unsubscribe from redbrookhoney? -Sweet white clover Some of our popular honey crops are privet, linden, and knotweed honey.