1. I bought some honey recently, and it was marked “Apricot Honey.” It smells good, just like apricots, but I don't like the taste.  Do bees really make honey like this?
   
2. I was told you are recommending not leaving honey supers on and pulling as usual about July 7. Is that correct?
   

Generally, no.  Most of the flavored honey on the market is infused with a concentrate of the fruit the processor chooses.  These are specialty products, and are sometimes referred to as added-value products by the marketers in power.  Most beekeepers refer to this as adulterated product.  I am no purist, and prefer to let the customers reject such products, leaving the processor to cease the practice.  If there is a group within the buying public that prefer this blend, then let the processor cultivate his circle privately.  Our club long ago decided that we as a group would not sanction the sale of such through club facilities.  There are plenty of outlets that will. 

There is a way for the bees to actually process a syrup that carries the flavor in the final product.  In Latin America this is very popular, especially the juice of a fruit they call “bitter orange,” which they mix with sugar syrup or honey and feed to the bees.  The product is said to be in great demand.  I once ran across some honey from west of here, and it tasted very clearly of apple.  It was sold as apple honey to the locals.  Bottom line—the beekeeper still believes it's honey the bees processed from apple blossoms.  Truth is, on the next farm they process early apples into cider and such, and dump the leavings in an area out back.  Need I say more?  (Honey-12-02)

Yes. We are, by in large, hobby beekeepers and should not have the tight time frame that commercial beekeepers have. This weather is terrible this year and the strict recommendation cannot be followed. If one can, I recommend one honey super on the hive unless you are working on cut comb. Remove the capped frames and consolidate by adding empty cell frames in the outside position. Using a brush flick the little darlings out into the ether and place this capped frame in a closed box for the trip home. Extract right away and return the empties to the bees on the next trip to remove honey-filled frames. Tighten the cycle and do not leave honey supers sitting round for the AHB.