# Is sugarbag like domestic bee honey?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 28, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475 "2008-02-28T04:01:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/1 "2008-02-28T04:01:16Z")
Is the honey produced by the Australian native bee, almost the same as the honey from a domesticated honeybee? I wouldn’t find it hard to believe that a difference in enzymes between species could change the flavor. Using the same pollen source, will the honey taste the same or different?
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### Author:  [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/2 "2008-02-28T14:00:01Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord]
I wouldn’t find it hard to believe that a difference in enzymes between species could change the flavor.
[/QUOTE]
I am a total ignoramus on honey production, but I have read in various places that the milk of different animals tastes different. So maybe the same is true here.
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/3 "2008-02-29T01:05:57Z")
I’m hoping a bump at this time will set this thread where the Australian Dopers will get to see it and respond.
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### Author:  [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/4 "2008-02-29T01:20:47Z")
I’ve never seen or tasted it, but [this site](http://www.sugarbag.net/honey/) says
> [@](#):
>
> The flavour of sugarbag is reminiscent of lemon and eucalyptus. Vic Cherikoff describes it as like a blend of quality honey and mellow port. Try it drizzled over vanilla ice cream or other dessert. Just a teaspoon goes a long way.
I take the last sentence to mean it’s a stronger taste than normal honey.
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/5 "2008-02-29T01:44:34Z")
[QUOTE=Askance]
I’ve never seen or tasted it, but [this site](http://www.sugarbag.net/honey/) saysI take the last sentence to mean it’s a stronger taste than normal honey.
[/QUOTE]
[Eucalyptus Honey is a little funny on its own:](http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=445766)
> [@](#):
>
> Eucalyptus honey comes from the mild regions of Argentina. Its sweet taste, and mint fresh aroma clearly denotes a strong presence of eucalyptus pollen. Its color is pure amber then it quickly crystallizes turning a darker color. Treasured for its medicinal values.
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### Author:  [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/6 "2008-02-29T07:22:14Z")
There are apiaries here that sell honey from single flower species. They each have their own, distinctive flavor.
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### Author:  [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/7 "2008-02-29T11:27:54Z")
Beekeeper and honey collector here.
I have worked and tasted honey from different mellifera species,gathered from different floral sources,at different geographies.
As noted,where the nectar was gathered affects the flavour,i.e. goldenrod from New York state is different than that from western Pennsylvania,and South African eucalyptus is different from Californian though they have similarities.
I can’t tell the difference between Carniolans and Italians in the same bee yard though.
But the OP’s bees are a different species,Austroplebeia and Trigona,so I wouldn’t find it hard to believe the flavour varied,either.
One question that arises is whether the “sugarbag” bees work the same nectars as the melliferas,since a comparison couldn’t be made otherwise.I have always been curious what crown vetch honey is like,but melliferas don’t work it,whereas bumbles love the stuff.
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2008, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sugarbag-like-domestic-bee-honey/439475/8 "2008-02-29T12:32:26Z")
It’s certainly a different product than the stuff from domestic bees. How much is because of the plants collected from and how much is from the bee enzymes isn’t clear. The comb is not nicely patterned like the domestic honeybee comb. You certainly don’t have a lot of pollen floating in the domestic bee honey. I have to wonder if eucalyptus is a flavor you can eat with many dishes. Let me guess. It goes with lamb right? I still wouldn’t mind trying some one day.
Thanks for taking the time to answer this people.