Honey harvesting is the process of removing ripe, capped frames from the hive at the close of a nectar flow, timed to ensure moisture content is low enough for stable, fermentation-resistant honey.
In trade practice
Harvesters select only fully capped frames, as uncapped honey with elevated moisture is prone to fermentation and will likely fail moisture specifications. A refractometer is used at the apiary or extraction room to verify moisture before processing. Buyers and QA teams should check that certificates of analysis reflect moisture readings taken from the harvested batch, not from a reference sample. Premature harvesting is a common cause of out-of-specification moisture results at intake.
In a specification
A purchase specification typically states a maximum moisture content, referencing the limit set in the applicable honey standard, and requires a certificate of analysis from an accredited laboratory confirming the harvested batch meets that limit.