County honey shows are one step up from local associations’ honey shows and are normally held before the National Honey Show where the best in the country can be found.
A Schedule describes the classes (categories) to be judged. The descriptions in the schedule are detailed so that those who enter the honey show know exactly what the judge will expect to see. Honey judges are very experienced. Their comments help us to improve the way that we handle and present our bees’ honey and wax. The judges disqualify entries that do not conform to the description in the schedule, so that they are comparing like-for-like.
This is a summary of helpful comments made by judges. Each class is initially judged according to criteria and the show schedule. For example, a candle will initially be “marked” on its wick placement, wax colour and base; honey jars that are sticky or have damaged lids will be rejected. As the entries in each class are whittled down, the final selection is made using the judge’s expertise and training.
Aroma
Honey and beeswax have a distinctive and natural aroma that is volatile. Keep your honey jars tightly lidded and your wax exhibits in a clean, clear polythene bag for at least a week before the Show so that the judge can appreciate the aroma when the jar or bag is opened.
Jars
Sticky jars are always rejected, whether the stickiness is on the exterior or the upper edge. While a small trace of honey can be excused because of travel, the inner surface of the lid must not be sticky. Jars must, of course, be free of damage; as must lids. The seal inside metal lids can flake, giving a powdery surface to the honey; be sure to wash lids thoroughly to avoid this.
Light, medium and dark liquid (runny) honey
- Hint: a judge will shine a strong torch upwards through the bottom of the jar to look for particles and granulation.
- Dust particles or air bubbles on surface are unacceptable, as is any sign of sediment
- Honey colour must be correct for the Class. Check with grading glasses
- Granulation is unacceptable. Even if you never heat your honey, you should warm show honey carefully to 48-52 °C to remove crystals in runny honey classes
- The 2 jars must be the same honey – the judge checks colour and viscosity
- Jars must not be under-filled or over-filled
Naturally crystallised and soft set honey
- Hint: a judge may turn the open jar upside down to check that the honey is set. They look for a smooth top and fine granulation.
- Honey must not have separated in granulation (main sugars in honey are glucose and fructose which can granulate at different speeds causing separation)
- Debris can still be detected in set honey, and is unacceptable
Comb honey
- Hints: honey in the comb should not be granulated. Comb must be free of pollen. Chunk honey must have a good upright piece of comb honey and the jar filled with clear liquid honey.
- There must be no pollen in the comb
- Comb needs to have a sharp cut, with no flakey edges
- Cut comb must be well-drained, not sitting in a puddle of runny honey, and it should fill the container
Frame for extraction
- Hint: a frame for extraction should be evenly capped, full, and free of pollen
- There must be no dust or dirt on the case or frame, and the frame should be scraped free of excess wax and propolis
- The comb should be wired – it is a frame for extraction
- Honey in the comb must not be crystallised
- There should be very few uncapped cells, if any
- Frames that have been partially used then refilled by the bees are not acceptable
Jars of honey for sale
- Tamper proof labels should not be used in this class
- Labels must conform to labelling standards in every respect
- Labels should not lie across the jar seam
A piece of beeswax of a specific weight
- A block that is cooled too quickly will have wavy lines, which spoil the appearance
- The mould should be smooth so that no marks are left
- The block will be weighed. The judge will normally allow +/- a few grams, and this may be stated in the schedule
Blocks of beeswax using standard 28g moulds
- Use good-quality, clean wax with a good aroma
- Clean and dry the moulds thoroughly – no specks of dust
- Polish the wax with a lint-free cloth
Candles
- Hint: the wick should be primed by immersing in molten wax before making the candle
- Hint: the candle must have a flat bottom. To achieve this, hold the candle firmly on a warm/hot surface
- Hint: the wick must be central, which the judge will check by looking at the bottom
- The seam from the mould should not be detectable
- There should be no sunken hole in the bottom (wax shrinks on cooling so should be topped up)
- The candle must be mounted according to the schedule
- Candles must match in every respect, including the colour of the wax
- Candles should not be painted or decorated unless this is allowed in the schedule
- Wicks should be cut to the correct length, and should be equal
- Wax must be clean. Dirty wax results in a lot of smoke when the lit candle is extinguished
Baking
- Hint: honey contains water. It cannot be substituted 1-1 with solid sugar. Cooking times and temperatures can be different.
- The judge must be able to taste honey. Use a strongly-flavoured honey
- Biscuits must “snap”, and additional flavourings must not overpower the honey taste
- The weight but be as given in the schedule
- A list of ingredients (if required in the schedule) must be provided
More Information
The National Honey Show offers booklets with more information.