CHESHIRE BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

Apes curamus et nos curant (We look after bees and they look after us)
Founded 1899
Registered Charity No. 227494
We've been buzzing over 100 years 1899-2016

Bee Candy

If a colony seems very lightweight at this time of year(early Spring), they need an emergency feed. It's too early to give them syrup: bakers� fondant is the usual recommendation, placed on the top bars or over the feed hole.

Personally, in an emergency, I have not found fondant easy or convenient to obtain. I usually make candy with a 2kg bag of sugar. The process takes about 20 minutes of hands-on activity, which seems much better than the time and expense of tracking down fondant. It is easy to do and here�s how.

Boil 400ml water in a 3 litre pan, remove from the heat and add 2kg granulated sugar.

Stir to mix well and return to a high heat.

Stir continuously to avoid burning at any cost.

As the crystals melt, the mix will get thinner and milky looking.

Like milk, as the mix comes to the boil, it can froth out of the pan so be ready to slide the pan off the heat.

Turn to the lowest heat and continue boiling and stirring, sliding off the heat if the liquid threatens to boil over.

After a short time, the liquid will clear and the foam will subside.

It is now handy, but not essential, to have a jam thermometer to clip in the pan.

Increase to a moderate heat and boil to a temperature of 243�F.

This is between �softball� and �hardball�.

If no thermometer is to hand, boil vigorously for 3� minutes, after the liquid becomes clear.

Now set aside to cool. As it cools, crystals will form on the pan surface that can be stirred in occasionally.

Eventually the liquid will go milky and begin to thicken. Putting the pan in cold water can speed up cooling.

The mix needs turning out into a container or containers. I have used cheap plastic lunchbox-type lidded containers and polythene bags.

If using a rigid container, pour the mixture when it thickens like porridge.

For a polythene bag, let it get a bit thicker. With the candy in the bag, lay it on its side, fold over the top and secure with sellotape.

When set, cut a hole in the underside of the bag, before placing it hole side down over the bees.

Rigid boxes also need a generous hole cutting in the lid.

Mike Vesty

© 2015 Cheshire Beekeepers' Association