Comb honey production part 2: cut comb

By far the easiest type of comb honey to produce is called “cut comb.” It requires no special hive equipment nor any special bee-handling techniques. It can be obtained from just about any type of hive and the options for packaging are many. Since the requirements are few, it is the most economical comb honey to produce.

Cut comb honey is produced by cutting the honeycomb free from its frame or top bar and then subdividing the comb into smaller pieces. These pieces—generally square or rectangular—are packaged for sale or for gifts in some type of container such as Styrofoam trays or clear plastic containers.

Those beekeepers using Langstroth hives often use shallow supers for cut comb honey, although any size super will work. Some of the bee equipment suppliers sell a square cutting tool—a thing that resembles a cookie cutter—that will assure your pieces are of uniform size. However, since the comb will vary in thickness, most beekeepers who sell cut comb honey price it by weight.

Here are some tips for preparing cut comb honey:

• This may seem obvious, but remember that you can’t use plastic foundation or wired frames if you intend to make comb honey. The supply houses sell ultra-thin foundation for making comb honey—a product that is more tender than the thicker sheets used for wired frames. Alternatively, you may use foundationless frames and thus avoid using commercial foundation altogether.

• Drip management is very important when working with cut comb honey because you want to keep your pieces as clean and dry as possible. After cutting away the frame, take care that it doesn’t drip on the comb by lifting it straight up and then sliding a cookie sheet or piece of cardboard under it.

• Use a very sharp knife or cutting tool so that the comb is cut rather than squashed. You want to damage as few cells as possible so care must be taken to keep your cuts clean. It is best to wash the knife or cutting tool between every cut to avoid smearing honey on everything. A hot knife makes a better cut than a cold one.

• After your comb is cut, place the pieces on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath. Allow the honey to drip overnight so all the damaged cells have a chance to drain completely. Cut comb prepared in this manner is attractive and not messy.

• Once the pieces are drained, carefully transfer them to trays or containers. The pieces can then be wrapped, weighed, priced, and marked in any way you like. Remember, however, that cut comb is very delicate and easily damaged. Even little things—like pulling the plastic wrap too tight—is enough to compress the comb and create a leak.

• Stacking can cause a problem as well. If you must stack your cut comb pieces, consider using rigid plastic containers.

Cut comb is often the first comb honey that new beekeepers produce. It is simple, fun, and an easy way to share your new hobby with friends and family. Cut comb is also popular at farmer’s markets, fairs, and craft shows. It is probably the best way to process honey if you only have a small amount, but it works equally well if you have much more.

Rusty