This being our first year with bees, this question might seem silly to some, but I've seen this comment posted elsewhere on the web...
Is goldenrod honey fit for human comsumption? Does it stink? Does this 'essence' occur only when the bees are 'drying' the honey? Is honey made at this time of year when the goldenrod blossoms good, or no good? Or is it purely personal taste?
We haven't started to harvest yet, but we will quite soon. The bees are still drawing out and filling comb in the supers, and we're fairly certain that, as there are many, many acres of river flats nearby, now covered with blossoming goldenrod, the nectar being stored in the upper supers is coming from the goldenrod...along with whatever else they find out there.
It never crossed our minds that some flowering plants might produce honey not fit for consumption. Earlier this year we went through much discussion about the varying theories on honey from rhododendrons that may or may not be toxic...general feeling is that it's not a major issue.
Now we read here and there that some folks out there are 'claiming' that honey from goldenrod is 'unfit' for human consumption. I find that to be a bit of a stretch, and perhaps just personal opinion.
So...what do you know about the subject?
Thanks.