Honey Contest

PRIZES 

Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following categories:

• Best Honey - Light

• Best Honey - Amber

• Best Honey - Dark

One blue (1st place) ribbon will be awarded in the following category:

• Best Honey - First-Time Entry

RULES

1. Individuals must be amateur beekeepers. 

2. Individuals entering the contest must be residents of the District of Columbia to be eligible to compete.

3. Individuals may submit one honey entry in each of three classes: (A) Light, (B) Amber (C) Dark. If the judge(s) determines that an entry is in the wrong color class, the judge(s) may move the entry to the correct color class.

4. All types of honey displayed must be protected from honeybees and other insects (clear glass jars are recommended for this purpose).

5. Except for first-time entry submissions, honey is to be presented in one-pound (1 lb) classic or queen-line glass jar without tamper proof seal. Individuals submitting a first-time entry (amateur beekeepers entering extracted honey in the competition for the first time) may submit extracted honey in any size glass jar with lid (example: 1 pint canning jar of 1 pound honey jar). 

6. Submissions should be in a clear, glass jar with no imprints or labels. 

JUDGING CRITERIA 

1. Density or Moisture Content (20%)

   1. Moisture content over 18.6% will result in zero points. All honey contains moisture or water. Excess moisture increases the growth of yeast cells that can result in fermentation and make honey unfit for human consumption. Judges often use a cut-off point of 18.6% and disqualify entries with additional moisture; in this case entries will receive no points and advice on honey handling.

2. Absence of Granulation or Crystallization (20%)

   1. All honey will eventually solidify (granulate or crystallize). Neither crystallization nor granulation are good attributes for liquid honey prepared for judging or for sale. Crystals create unpleasant grit in the honey. A more serious problem is that the formation of granules/crystals in liquid honey will increase the moisture content of the remaining liquid portion of the product which can lead to fermentation.

3. Cleanliness (20%)

   1. Cleanliness including the absence of lint, dirt, wax, and foam are among the most easily controlled factors by the beekeeper. The terms are self-explanatory with the possible exception of foam, which refers to air bubbles trapped in the honey. 

4. Flavor (20%)

   1. Flavor is a very subjective characteristic. In this situation the use of flavor as a factor in judging honey will be limited to checking for off flavors not produced by the bees (i.e., residue from mite treatments, feeding).

5. Container Appearance: Cleanliness and Uniformity (20%)

   1. Honey should be presented in a clear glass jar with no imprints or labels (Mason/canning jars allowed for first-time submissions only). Honey fill should be even with the “fill line” below the cap to ensure accuracy and uniformity of volume. The judges will pay special attention to the cleanliness and lack of wear to the container and its lid. This attention to container and lid cleanliness includes the inside of the lid.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Register for the honey contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2025-contests by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.

2. Bring your entry, accompanied with a removable label (not stuck to the jar) that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry and/or apiary, to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St NW on Saturday, August 23 between 11 am and 1 pm. Exact room location will be sent closer to the date.