May honey: description, features and extraction time

May honey is one of the most valuable and delicious natural products, used by humans not for decades or centuries, but for thousands of years. Scientists continue to study it, discovering new unique properties that have a positive effect on the human body.

One of the varieties of honey is May honey, which is usually extracted in June and is considered the product that opens the honey harvest season. Strictly speaking, this nectar is not purely spring honey but more of an early summer product. It got its name thanks to the delicate taste and aroma notes of early flowers from which bees collect pollen in May.

Features of may honey

The first nectar collected by bees in May and June generally consists of pollen from various plants. This is a polyfloral honey with a light texture and a minimal crystallization period.

Its taste and aroma depend on the region where the apiary is located and the types of honey plants surrounding it. Most often, May honey has hints of acacia, as well as apricot and apple blossoms.

If there are meadows in the bees’ flight zone, they may also collect pollen from dandelions, sage, coltsfoot, and other early flowers. In this case, the nectar acquires a darker shade and a richer taste.

Characteristics of spring nectar

May honey is characterized by:

• A more liquid consistency compared to other types of honey;
• A light color, ranging from greenish to yellow;
• A pronounced sweet taste without bitterness;
• A light, barely noticeable hint of menthol in the aftertaste;

The product is primarily composed of glucose and fructose, which are fully and rapidly absorbed by the human body. Additionally, it contains over 300 micro- and macronutrients, including enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Notably, 100 grams of the product contain only about 300 kcal.

It is recommended that a healthy adult consume about 2 tablespoons of honey daily. This helps maintain the body’s tone, strengthens the immune system, and positively affects the functioning of most organs.

Reasons for fast crystallization of may honey

In the first half of summer, honey produced by bees at the end of spring has a liquid consistency, but after just a couple of months, it becomes thick, opaque, and made up of soft, easy-to-chew granules.

Crystallization is a normal, characteristic process for natural nectar, indicating its high quality. May honey crystallizes faster because it contains more glucose than honey harvested later in the summer. Another reason for fast crystallization is the lower activity of bees at the beginning of the honey season. The bees process the pollen less thoroughly, so the honey soon thickens.

When to extract may honey

May honey is traditionally extracted in the first half of June, although there is no universal time for collection. This depends on how early spring arrived and on the weather conditions in April and May. For example, if it rained often, it is better to wait a week or a week and a half before starting nectar extraction. Honey can be extracted as soon as at least a quarter of the honeycombs are sealed.

Another sign that the first honey harvest period has arrived is the end of bee swarming. At this time, the bees are most active and efficiently collecting nectar to raise young bees.

Since May honey is very liquid, its extraction requires special care and delicacy from the beekeeper. To avoid damaging the frames while successfully extracting nectar, high-quality honey extractors are essential.

Electric honey extractors from CraftOil – the best solution for large and small apiaries

The producer of fragrant, delicious, organic, and incredibly healthy plant oils, CraftOil, offers an excellent selection of equipment for beekeepers. The catalog includes electric, automatic honey extractors of various types (radial, chordal, mixed), made from certified stainless steel.

Models like MR-28n, MK-4 (300 mm), ML-9 (230 mm), MK12 (230 mm) and others are compatible with different types of frames, have various modes, and can even be customized for individual beekeeper needs. They are equipped with convenient controls and do not require the operator’s presence during operation.

We offer equipment for both large and small beekeeping operations, and we guarantee quality and long service life. Want to know more about our beekeeping products? Interested in our craft oils? Our consultants have all the answers. Just leave a request on the website or write to us via messenger.