Dingfeng Beekeeping Farm Introduction
The flowers of different seasons vary, and bees will collect nectar from different flowers. Longan flower honey is the most common and popular flavor, while another uniquely flavored type is wildflower honey, primarily sourced from Hedyotis corymbosa, a plant that many may not have heard of. However, when it comes to a plant found in the fields that pricks and sticks to you, they may have an impression of it: Hedyotis corymbosa, commonly known as "ghost needle grass," is known for this characteristic, and some people simply call it "Chatzhamo." The flowers of Hedyotis corymbosa have white petals and yellow stamens. Although it may seem bothersome, the honey produced from it is very tasty! Because there are usually other flowers nearby, the bees collect nectar from many flowers, hence it is also called "wildflower honey." The longan flower honey produced in spring has a rich and thick flavor, and a sip will bring a sweet aftertaste. Wildflower honey is available year-round, with a more delicate flavor but a stronger floral aroma, providing a refreshing sweetness tinged with slight acidity, quenching thirst—don't think it's spoiled! Honey containing natural fructose, glucose, and enzymes can be directly absorbed by the body, which is why more and more people are using it as a substitute for sugar. The owner recommends it can be mixed with warm or cold water for long-term drinking; the white crystals formed in cold weather can be used as jam on toast or biscuits, or as a healthy ingredient in cooking. If you enjoy trying new things, you can also mix two types of honey to develop creative flavors! As there are many honey products on the market, but the quality varies greatly, Mr. Wang also instructed on two simple tips for readers to distinguish real honey when purchasing: pure honey has a deep color and is not easily transparent. You can place a finger behind the bottle to test visibility, although wildflower honey is naturally lighter in color; the second method involves shaking the honey jar; pure honey will produce dense bubbles, while artificially diluted honey will have fewer bubbles that dissipate quickly. The owner stated that even with the same batch of bees, differences in water sources, soil, and climate can affect the quality and taste of honey, which relies on decades of experience. The honey produced has a moisture content of less than 20%, making it truly "pure" honey, earning him the first prize in the longan honey competition in Hsinchu County. When asked about beekeeping secrets, the owner, who produces and sells his honey, shrugged and said there were no special tricks; in fact, understanding and adapting to nature's rhythms can yield the most abundant rewards from nature.
