Dingfeng Bee Farm Introduction
The flowers of the four seasons vary, and bees collect nectar from different flowers. Longan flower honey is the most common and popular flavor, while another uniquely flavored honey called multifloral honey primarily comes from a plant known as Hsienfeng grass. Many might say they have never heard of it, but when referring to the wild plant that sticks to you as you run through fields, they might recall it as commonly known as "ghost needle grass." Hsienfeng grass has white petals and yellow stamens; although it may seem bothersome at times, the honey produced from it is quite delicious! Since other types of flowers often grow near Hsienfeng grass, bees gladly gather from a variety of sources, hence the name "multifloral honey." Longan flower honey produced in spring has a rich and fragrant taste, with a sweet and pleasant aftertaste. Multifloral honey, available throughout the seasons, has a more delicate flavor but with a strong floral aroma, offering a refreshing sweetness combined with a hint of acidity that quenches thirst—don't mistake that for being spoiled! Honey, which contains natural fructose, glucose, and enzymes, can be easily absorbed by the human body, leading to an increasing number of people using it as a sugar substitute. The owner recommends mixing it with warm or cold water for prolonged consumption. The white crystals formed in cold weather can be used as jam spread on toast or biscuits, and it's also healthy for cooking. If you enjoy trying new flavors, you could mix both types of honey to develop creative tastes! Although there are numerous honey products on the market, quality can vary widely, so the owner also shared two simple tips for readers to distinguish real honey when purchasing: pure honey has a deep color with low light transmission; you can test visibility by placing a finger behind the bottle. However, multifloral honey typically has a lighter color. The second method involves shaking the honey jar; pure honey will create dense bubbles, while artificially diluted honey will have fewer bubbles, which dissipate quickly. The owner stated that even if it comes from the same batch of bees, differences in water sources, soil, and climate all affect the quality and taste of the honey, relying on decades of experience. Their honey has a moisture content of less than 20%, making it genuine "pure" honey that earned them the top prize in the Longan honey competition in Hsinchu County. When asked about beekeeping secrets, the owner, who produces and sells their honey, shrugged and said there are no shortcuts; by understanding and adapting to nature, one can receive the most abundant gifts it offers.
