How Beekeepers Harvest Honey Responsibly

Harvest season is the highlight of a beekeeper's year, but responsible practices ensure bees stay healthy long after jars are filled. Here's how the NorCal Nectar team balances honey production with hive stewardship.

Step-by-Step Honey Harvesting Process

1. Inspect the hive: Beekeepers confirm that frames are capped (sealed with wax) and the colony has surplus honey.
2. Remove frames gently: We use bee escapes and soft brushes instead of harsh chemicals to clear bees from frames.
3. Extract honey: Frames are uncapped and spun in an extractor, separating honey without damaging comb structure.
4. Strain without heat: Honey is strained to remove wax bits but never pasteurized, preserving enzymes and flavor.

Why Responsible Harvesting Protects Bees

Leaving enough honey ensures bees have food for winter. Keeping comb intact allows bees to refill cells faster, saving them energy. Avoiding chemical repellents prevents contamination of wax and honey. Responsible timing also avoids harvesting during nectar dearths when bees need every drop.

NorCal Nectar's Approach to Ethical Harvesting

We harvest only when each hive has at least 60 pounds of honey reserves. Our team works during cooler hours to reduce stress on bees and immediately returns empty frames so bees can clean and reuse them. Any honeycomb we sell is cut from frames with abundant stores, ensuring no colony goes hungry.

Want to learn more about the people behind the process? Visit Family Beekeeping Traditions in California.

Call to Action

Taste honey collected with care. Shop Honey Harvested with Care in California and add Honeycomb for a direct-from-the-frame treat.