Just bought a property with active hives and we are completely new to beekeeping. We’ve started to harvest honey from two side by side hives (out of five in a row). The honey in the first hive is beautifully clear and runny, while honey from the second hive is dark, crystalline and difficult to separate from wax and comb. The difference between the two is very obvious in the glass jars. Can anyone advise why there is such a difference, and what actions we can take to improve the quality of honey in the second hive? Thanks.
Hi @Ploversbarrow,
Probably honey was collected from a different source and in different time?
I am afraid not much could be done besides of dissolving sugar crystals by warming honey to 45°C maximum for a couple of days. If it tastes good - consume it.
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Hi there - welcome to the forum AND to beekeeping! 
@ABB is right, differences in nectar sources make for different types of honey. Here in the northern parts of the US, nectar from fall flowers tends to be darker and produce thicker honey that can crystallize more easily. This is helpful for bees’ overwintering needs - the lower moisture content won’t contribute to possible condensation inside the hive, and open cells of this honey can help absorb some humidity.
For our purposes, all the different sources the bees collect from can make for a lovely variety of honey flavors - and with the crystals, creamed honey can be made. Some beeks just make honey that is too chunky into mead - and remember, those frames might even be better saved to use as extra feed in times of dearth, when making up a new nuc or housing a swarm capture. In those cases, freeze the frames first.
Since you’re new, I hope you can join a local club or find a mentor - there’s a lot to learn and it can get pretty challenging without hands-on help. Either way, stick around here and keep us posted on how things go! 
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