Crush & Strain: A Look at Natural Honey Harvesting

We've all been there. Trying to keep pace with a driven beekeeper, especially when they're operating on their own schedule. That's the delightful reality for Daddykirbs, who's documenting his beekeeping journey alongside his son, the Golden Son Beekeeper. This isn't your typical, perfectly-staged beekeeping tutorial – it’s a glimpse into a working apiary, full of hustle and honest effort.

This week’s video focuses on a crush and strain honey harvest, a method particularly appealing to those of us leaning towards treatment-free beekeeping and embracing the spirit of Sam Comfort and Michael Bush. It’s a technique that harkens back to simpler times, bypassing the need for a honey extractor. As Daddykirbs’ son demonstrates, it's a perfectly viable option, even for productive hives.

What’s fascinating about this video isn’t just the harvest itself, but the insight into hive management. We see a clear understanding of colony needs, with the beekeeper strategically removing frames from a honey-heavy box to provide more room for the bees to draw out comb. This isn't about maximizing honey production at all costs; it's about working with the bees, giving them the space they need to thrive. The observation that they’re replacing foundationless frames with frames containing foundation is a testament to adaptability – using what’s available to support the colony.

The Crush & Strain Method: A Natural Approach

For those unfamiliar, the crush and strain method is beautifully simple. Once the frames are removed, the honey-laden comb is crushed, and then passed through a series of filters (typically cheesecloth or similar) to remove wax and debris. The resulting honey will have a slightly “rougher” texture and a hint of beeswax flavor – a characteristic many Rogue Beekeepers appreciate. It’s a far cry from the sterile, perfectly clear honey you find in supermarkets, and a testament to a more natural, hands-on approach.

Lessons from the Golden Son Beekeeper

Beyond the technique itself, this video offers a few key takeaways for any aspiring or experienced beekeeper:

• Observation is key: The beekeeper’s constant assessment of the hive’s needs – brood patterns, comb development, honey stores – highlights the importance of attentive observation.
• Adaptability is essential: Working with nature demands flexibility. Using frames with foundation when they’re readily available demonstrates a practical approach to beekeeping.
• Embrace the imperfections: Crush and strain honey isn’t “perfect,” but it’s honest and flavorful. It’s a reminder that the best beekeeping practices often prioritize the health of the colony over the purity of the product.

Daddykirbs’ humorous commentary about his son's boundless energy is a welcome touch, reminding us that beekeeping, like any craft, is a journey of continuous learning – and sometimes, a race to keep up!

If you're intrigued by this approach, check out the links below. And don’t forget to explore the wider network – from the Rogue Lumberjacks providing the GodWood for our log hives to the Rogue Growers ensuring pollinator integration for our food forests, we're building a community rooted in natural principles.