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Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

Buckwheat can be cultivated throughout the north temperate zone.   At one time beekeepers in New York state could depend on a crop of buckwheat year after year.  However, buckwheat is no longer grown as it once was.   Lucky however is the beekeeper who happens to find a field like the one above.   It is a late crop sometimes planted when other crops due to wet weather can not be planted early and it is sometimes used as a second crop.  It is a short crop which means that three seedings can be made in one year on the same ground.  It flowers about 20 days after planting.   A field of buckwheat looks like a white blanket of snow.  The bees eagerly work it and produce large amounts of honey from it.

Description of nectar

I can speak first hand of buckwheat  honey.  It is very dark in color and has a strong taste.  If a jar of buckwheat honey is held up to the light, a slight purplish cast can be seen.  It looks almost like used oil.  It is in demand today because it is no longer grown as it once was and a number of people desire nothing else.   We have found it delightful on pancakes.  It granulates slowly.