If lots of nectar producing flowers blossom, the bees may store much more honey than they could ever eat by themselves. This excess honey may be harvested by beekeepers. In some parts of the world a great deal of excess honey may be made by the bees. Other areas, such as the New England states of the USA are very poor for bees and many beekeepers can harvest only a tenth as much honey each year. The reasons some areas may be very good and others poor are related to local climates, soil types, and density of nectar-bearing flowers.
Honey comes in many forms.
Extracted honey is liquid honey which has been removed from the honey combs by the use of centrifuge equipment. These machines are called extractors. Comb honey is honey which is still in the original wax combs made by the bees. This honey is less adaptable to cooking or mixing in tea, but is relished by connoisseurs who prefer its natural flavours. Honey comes in lots of different colours and flavours.