Preparing for the Honey Show: Guidelines, Tips, and Essential Information
Entering a honey show can be incredibly rewarding, but meeting strict competition standards is the key to catching the judge’s eye (and avoiding disqualification!). Whether you are a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned competitor, this comprehensive guide compiles official guidelines, expert tips, and essential resources to help you prepare your entries to perfection.
🍯 1. Essential Jar and Lid Standards
Before selecting your best honey, ensure you are using the correct presentation vessels. UK competitions adhere to a very precise standard for extracted honey classes:
The Container: Honey must be exhibited in a standard 454g (1lb) squat cylindrical jar made of plain clear glass. (Note: While England and Wales strictly mandate glass, Scotland occasionally permits plastic alternatives—always check your specific show schedule).
The Lids: Use plain, gold-lacquered metal or gold/white plastic commercial screw lids. Lids must be matching, entirely clean, rust-free, scratch-free, and devoid of any commercial logos.
The Fill Level: Jars must be filled perfectly. No air gap should be visible between the surface of the honey and the lower edge of the lid when viewed from the side.
Mead Bottles: Mead must be shown in clear glass, punted wine bottles with sloping shoulders (approx. 75cl). They must be closed with removable white plastic-topped flanged corks (no standard wine corks or metallic screw caps allowed).
👉 Want a deeper dive into container specifications? Read the A Comprehensive Guide to UK Honey Show Jar and Lid Standards.
🏷️ 2. Entry Labelling Guidelines
Incorrect label placement is one of the most common reasons entries lose points. You must use the official class labels provided by the Show Secretary without altering them.
Quick Placement Rules:
Honey Jars & Mead Bottles: Affix the label horizontally near the base of the jar. For the National Honey Show, it must leave between 10mm and 15mm of space between the bottom edge of the label and the bottom of the vessel. (Note: Regional rules vary slightly; some English regional shows require exactly 20mm/2cm).
Cut Comb: Place one label on the top right-hand corner of the lid and a second label on the side of the long edge.
Frames for Extraction: Affix one label directly to the frame at one end, and the second label to the top right-hand corner of the protective glass viewing case.
Beeswax Blocks: Small blocks get a label on the bottom; larger blocks (200g+) should have the label placed on the side/slope (not the top or bottom).
❓ Unsure about how to label your entries? Click here to download the official National Honey Show Labelling Guide (PDF).
💡 3. Insider Hints and Tips from the Judges
Judges evaluate each class initially according to strict show schedules and criteria. Here is a summary of helpful comments made by honey judges to elevate your entries:
Liquid Honey (Clarity & Cleanliness): Ensure your honey is bright and crystal-clear. Check your jars with a torch before entering to spot foreign matter, wax particles, hair, or fine air bubbles. Slight, careful warming can clear bubbles, but do not overheat.
Crystallised / Soft Set Honey: The texture should have a perfectly smooth, fine grain (often achieved by "seeding" with a fine-grained honey like oilseed rape). The surface must be entirely free of froth, bubbles, or debris.
The Jar Threads: Before screwing the lid on, clean the jar threads meticulously. There should be absolutely no sticky honey residue on the threads or the inside of the lid.
Beeswax Quality: When melting wax for blocks or candles, use a double saucepan (never heat wax directly). Keep temperatures low (around 62°C–65°C); overheating will ruin the aroma and darken the beautiful yellow/cream colour.
👉 For a full breakdown of judges' feedback across various classes, view the Hampshire Beekeepers Honey Show Hints and Tips.
📜 4. Official Show Rules & Schedules
Never guess the requirements. Every honey show has subtle variations in its rules regarding weight minimums, class distinctions, and display guidelines.
Always read your show's schedule and rules carefully—twice! * To review the master standard of competitive beekeeping, check out the National Honey Show Guidance & Schedule (Page 17) for specific class breakdowns and grading glass definitions.
*** Good luck with your entries, and may the best honey win!