Twilight Valley Apiary

02/08/2026

All 12 colonies survived the winter storm! They were out taking advantage of the first 65 degree day since the storm and frigid temperatures
Alyssa Hubbard Mathis Mark Mathis

02/08/2026

My honey has crystallized - Part 2 of 2
Liquifying honey, if desired.

Three important factors that will ensure the quality, health benefits and taste are maintained.
1) Patience is key: Allow the honey to gradually embrace its liquid form without rushed heating that could destroy its natural integrity.
2) Stirring: Gentle and periodic stirring helps even heat distribution to dissolve the crystals.
3) Temperature Monitoring: Use a reliable digital thermometer to monitor the process. At 104 degrees enzymes and antioxidants begin to weaken and breakdown….. Hotter the honey = fewer health benefits.
******DO NOT microwave******
+The following is a guide and will vary based upon the size of your pot and honey container.

Heat a pot of water to 110 degrees, remove from heat source. The water level should cover at least three-quarters of the jar but not higher than the base of the lid. You do not want to introduce water into the honey.

Remove the lid from the Jar and place in the warm water. Gently stir every 10-15 minutes. In about 45-60 minutes the water will drop below 96 degrees. Remove the honey and reheat the water bath to 104 degrees, place the honey back into the warm water and gently stir every 10-15 minutes. Your honey should be around 95 degrees now.
The honey temperature will need to be maintained at 95-98 degrees for a couple of hours. Repeat the water reheating process every 20-30 minutes to accomplish this (removing the honey each time you reheat and never heating the water above 104). Continue the gentle stirring frequency.

+For heavy crystallization, you may need to maintain the honey temperature between 97-100. This can be done by increasing the water reheating frequency notes above and it could take up to 3-4 hours.

Once liquified, remove the honey from the bath, seal it and let it cool naturally.

12/31/2025

My honey has crystallized. Is it bad? 🤷‍♂️🧐
Part 1 of 2

Local fresh raw honey typically means there has been minimal to no processing. When compared to “grade A” processed honey found in most grocery stores, local fresh honey will contain natural elements like propolis, pollen and beeswax particles which makes local fresh honey a superior choice for health benefits including antioxidants, enzymes and antibacterial properties.

However these natural elements also contribute to how quickly honey will crystallize along with the ratio of glucose to fructose (nectar source) and moisture content. This crystallization is natural and is a testament to the purity and natural state of raw honey. Many people prefer honey in this state especially on toast, drizzled on deserts or a spoonful when fighting a cold.

In our next post we will discuss this in greater detail and how to liquify honey (if desired) without destroying the health giving enzymes….. Do Not Overheat your honey!
Alyssa Hubbard Mathis, Mark Mathis

12/25/2025

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! All colonies look healthy and taking advantage of this warm Christmas and bringing in dandelion pollen!
Alyssa Hubbard Mathis, Mark Mathis

11/11/2025

It's actually true! Honey bees have a fantastic sense of smell, all thanks to 170 odorant receptors in their antennae. To put that into better perspective, humans have about 350-400 olfactory receptors, while fruit flies have about 60. These receptors enable honey bees to detect a wide range of smells, allowing them to identify the unique scent profiles of flowers and locate nectar-rich food sources.

11/05/2025

In this edition of 'It's Actually True,' Tuesday, we are sharing my absolute favorite fact about our sweet little girls. While they are lovely to look at, make no mistake, they are nature working at its most efficient!

In autumn, honey bee colonies evict their drones. The worker bees force the drones out of the hive, as they are no longer needed to mate with queens and would be a resource burden during winter. This annual event marks the end of the drones' lives, making way for new drones to be raised in the spring.

11/03/2025

First frost didn’t keep this colony from venturing out!

11/03/2025

Lots of activity after our first frosty morning, 11-2-25

11/03/2025

A peak into one of our honey 🐝 colonies. However they thought it was too cold for a picture (rightfully so) which resulted in a couple of stingers planted in my hand.

10/28/2025

Actually true Tuesday comin' atcha!

Did you know that the queen bee slows down her egg-laying activities to reduce the number of bees in the hive to help conserve resources and ensure survival during the winter months?😀

10/21/2025

It's actually true, Tuesday!

Did you know that as the cold draws near, honey bees will cluster around the queen to insulate her from the cold to survive the winter?