Honey

Registration Ends: Monday, Sept. 5, 11:59pm
Entry Drop Off: Saturday, Sept. 10, 10am-12pm
Entry Pick-Up: Sunday, Sept. 11, 12pm-4pm Winners Announced: Sunday, Sept. 11, 12pm

Winners will be announced on the Fair Main Stage and on the DC State Fair website.

DC Gateway Pavilion
St. Elizabeth’s East
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
Washington, DC, 20032

 

Awards Given 

Blue, red, and white ribbons will be awarded in the following categories:

  • Best Honey

Judging Criteria

  1. Density (Moisture content over 18.6% - zero points) (20 points)

  2. Absence of granulation or crystallization (20 points)

  3. Cleanliness: absence of lint, dirt, wax and foam (20 points)

  4. Flavor: absence of flavors not produced by bees (20 points)

  5. Container appearance: cleanliness and uniformity (20 points)

Explanation of Criteria

Density or Moisture Content: All honey contains moisture or water. Excess moisture increases the growth of yeast cells that can result in fermentation and make honey unfit for human consumption. Judges often use a cut-off point of 18.6% and disqualify entries with additional moisture, in this case entries will receive no points and advice on honey handling. 

Absence of Granulation or Crystallization: All honey will eventually solidify (granulate or crystallize). Neither crystallization nor granulation are good attributes for liquid honey prepared for judging or for sale. Crystals create unpleasant grit in the honey. A more serious problem is that the formation of granules/crystals in liquid honey will increase the moisture content of the remaining liquid portion of the product which can lead to fermentation. 

Cleanliness: Cleanliness including the absence of lint, dirt, wax, and foam are among the most easily controlled factors by the beekeeper.  The terms are self-explanatory with the possible exception of foam, which refers to air bubbles trapped in the honey.

Flavor: Flavor is a very subjective characteristic. In this situation the use of flavor as a factor in judging honey will be limited to checking for off flavors not produced by the bees (I.e. residue from mite treatments, feeding).

Container Appearance: Honey should be presented in a clear glass jar with no imprints or labels (and no Mason/canning jars). The minimum size is 8 oz, but one-pound jars are preferred. Honey fill should be even with the “fill line” below the cap to ensure accuracy and uniformity of volume. The judges will pay special attention to the cleanliness and lack of wear to the container and its lid. This attention to container and lid cleanliness includes the inside of the lid.

You cannot enter if

  • You are a commercial honey producers.

Entries not claimed by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the Fair will be donated.