HONEY, BEES & YOUR QUESTIONS
Honey FAQs.
A little know-how.
Explore honey FAQs from Lake Country Honey Co. in Alexandria, MN. Find practical answers about honey storage, crystallization, bees and pickup—or test what you know with our seven-question quiz.
01 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
Your honey has turned grainy. Has it spoiled?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
No—crystals are natural
Glucose, a natural sugar in honey, can form solid crystals that make the honey cloudy, grainy or firm. Crystallization alone is not spoilage. Enjoy the thicker honey as it is, or place a heat-safe glass jar in warm water until the crystals dissolve. Keep water out and avoid boiling water or direct heat.
02 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
Where should your everyday jar of honey live?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
In a cool, dry cupboard
Keep honey tightly covered in a cool, dry place. Protect it from moisture and excess heat, which can change its color and flavor.
03 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
Why can honey look lighter or darker from one harvest to the next?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
The flowers the bees visited
Honey color and flavor can change with the nectar source. A lighter or darker jar is often just a sign that the bees were visiting different flowers during that harvest.
04 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
Is a little honey okay for a baby under 12 months?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
No—wait until after the first birthday
Do not give honey to children younger than 12 months, including in food, drinks or on a pacifier. Honey can cause infant botulism.
05 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
Are honey bees native to North America?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
No—they were introduced
European settlers brought honey bees to North America in the 1600s. Native bees were already pollinating its plants and remain essential pollinators today.
06 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
What makes a garden more useful to pollinators?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
Different flowers blooming across the seasons
Plants that bloom from early spring through fall provide food over a longer season. Pollinators also need suitable nesting places and, for some insects, larval host plants.
07 / HONEY, BEES & BEYOND
A colony looks busy. Can Varroa mites still be a concern?
Choose an answer to see the explanation and real visitor responses.
Yes—mite monitoring still matters
Varroa feed on developing and adult honey bees and spread viruses. Regular mite checks guide management; monitoring after treatment helps show whether it worked.
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FIND YOUR ANSWER
Honey FAQs: find your answer.
Choose a topic, then open a question for the full answer. Looking for your next jar? Shop our local honey or see Alexandria pickup details.
01 For your jar, pantry and table.
Honey questions
Your honey has turned grainy. Has it spoiled?
Glucose, a natural sugar in honey, can form solid crystals that make the honey cloudy, grainy or firm. Crystallization alone is not spoilage. Enjoy the thicker honey as it is, or place a heat-safe glass jar in warm water until the crystals dissolve. Keep water out and avoid boiling water or direct heat.
Where should your everyday jar of honey live?
Keep honey tightly covered in a cool, dry place. Protect it from moisture and excess heat, which can change its color and flavor.
Why can honey look lighter or darker from one harvest to the next?
Honey color and flavor can change with the nectar source. A lighter or darker jar is often just a sign that the bees were visiting different flowers during that harvest.
Is a little honey okay for a baby under 12 months?
Do not give honey to children younger than 12 months, including in food, drinks or on a pacifier. Honey can cause infant botulism.
Do the ounces include the weight of the jar?
No. Our listed ounces are the net weight of the honey. They do not include the jar or lid.
What does raw, unfiltered honey mean?
Raw describes honey that has not been pasteurized. Unfiltered means it has not undergone fine filtration to remove natural pollen; straining out larger wax pieces is different. Color, flavor and texture can vary with the flowers bees visit. Crystallization alone cannot tell you how honey was processed.
How much work goes into one jar?
It varies with nectar sources and conditions. Our interactive flower patch uses published estimates to compare the flower visits and worker-bee contributions behind each jar size.
A note for families: Do not give honey to children younger than 12 months.
02 For curious minds and fellow beekeepers.
Beekeeping
Are honey bees native to North America?
European settlers brought honey bees to North America in the 1600s. Native bees were already pollinating its plants and remain essential pollinators today.
What makes a garden more useful to pollinators?
Plants that bloom from early spring through fall provide food over a longer season. Pollinators also need suitable nesting places and, for some insects, larval host plants.
A colony looks busy. Can Varroa mites still be a concern?
Varroa feed on developing and adult honey bees and spread viruses. Regular mite checks guide management; monitoring after treatment helps show whether it worked.
How far can honey bees travel for flowers?
They routinely travel a few kilometers and can reach about 7.5 miles from the hive when nearby food is scarce. Visit Buzz-ucation to explore that distance around Alexandria.
What is a nuc?
A nucleus colony is a small honey bee colony with a laying queen, workers, brood and food stores on frames. It provides an established start for a hive; exact contents and availability must be confirmed.
What is propolis?
Bees collect sticky plant resins and use them in the hive to seal crevices and smooth surfaces. This material is called propolis.
What is bee pollen?
Foraging bees collect pollen from flowers and bring it back to the colony. Ask us about the source, collection and availability of local pollen.
Can you help me get started?
We offer virtual and in-person consulting, tutoring and one-on-one beekeeping classes at your hives or ours. Tell us your goals and experience so we can discuss a suitable session.
03 For your next jar—or a larger conversation.
Orders & pickup
Can I ask about a larger quantity?
Yes. Contact us about bulk sizing. We will confirm availability, packaging and pricing with you before you make plans.
Do you accept returns?
We are not accepting returns for any reason at this time. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
How does Big Ole pickup work?
Choose Big Ole Central Park, 200 Broadway St, Alexandria, and a 15-minute pickup time at online checkout. Pickup is Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 9–11 am. Order by 9 am at least two calendar days ahead. For cash, request your jars and wait for us to confirm your meetup. Can’t find a time that works? Call or text Leah at 320-223-9773 and we’ll arrange a time that will.
Do you deliver?
Yes. Local delivery is $5 per order in ZIP code 56308, within four days. Order online and enter your delivery address and instructions at checkout. We also ship to the contiguous 48 states; shipping charges are calculated from packed order weight at checkout.
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes! We would love to talk about wholesale options. Tell us what you have in mind through our contact form. Contact us about wholesale
Looking for something else? Ask us
Send us a message about what you have in mind. We will let you know whether it is something we can provide.