Fireweed Honey

This is a weird thing that people in Alaska, if such a place can in fact be said to exist, like to do...

45 pink clover blossoms 100 fireweed blossoms 1 tsp. alum 10 Cups sugar 2 Cups water

Combine and boil 3 minutes. Strain and pour into hot jars.

This fireweed thing of which they speak is apparently common as crack up there:

Fireweed is a member of the Onagracae family of plants. Its name refers to the fact it is a "pioneer plant" quick to appear in burned over areas. An area will only produce honey for 2 or 3 years, as the growth of new trees and shrubs crowd out the fireweed plants.(1,2)

No other major honey plant grows as far north as fireweed.(2) It is a hardy plant which regularly appears in North America from Alaska to California, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.(1) Weather is important for fireweed's nectar secretion, humidity must be less than 50%.(2) Depending on location and altitude, fireweed may bloom as early as June and as late as September, but it blooms through most of the summer.(1,2)

I have it on good authority from an authentic Alaskan that, when the blooms of the fireweed turn cottony, winter is near. It is said that the height of the blooms can indicate how severe the winter is likely to be. It is also said that Alaska is in thrall to the vicious Walrus Gods, who demand an annual tribute of virgin halibut.

Alaska, if such a place can in fact be said to exist, is very strange.

Posted by aloysius at August 22, 2003 09:43 PM | TrackBack |