Best Southeastern European Honey Types
Produced in the districts of Gortynia and Mantineia in the Arcadia prefecture, Meli Elatis Menalou Vanilia is the first Greek honey acknowledged by the European Union as a protected product. At least 80% of this honey comes from black fir, while the rest is mixed flower honey.
This world famous product owns the 'vanilia' name to its color that can be described as being between pearly white to caramel. The honey is not collected from the blossoms, but rather honeydew produced by microorganisms on the trunk of the black fir.
Ikarian honey is a Greek type of honey produced on the island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea. The honey is prized for its high quality, which is a result of the unique geographical and topographical attributes on the island. It has a medium to dark brown color coming from the herbs, pine trees, and other island flora.
The flavor is very rich and the honey is unfiltered, unheated, and unpasteurized. As there is no industrial farming on the island, the pollen and nectar collected by the bees are free of pesticides and chemicals. Filled with natural vitamins and minerals, the honey is often consumed by locals every day by spoonfuls, and it is believed that it is the reason why most of the people on the island live over the age of 90.
Pefkothymaromelo Kritis is a special variety of thyme and pine honey produced In Crete, an area which has the highest density of bees in the world. The sediment of this honeydew, or forest honey, contains pollen grains from up to 20 different plants in each honey sample.
Pefkothymaromelo Kritis has medium clarity and sweetness, and its flavor is mild, with floral notes and hints of wood and resin. It remains fluid for at least 12 months from the day of harvest.
Meli Kissouri is a type of flower honey produced in the Karistia region of Greece. This autumn heather honey is made by nectar bees collected from purple heather (Erica manipuliflora and Erica verticillata). It is characterized by its dark color with red-copper tones, slightly bitter taste, and strong, persistent aroma.
The honey crystallizes quickly due to high glucose content and contains over 65% heather pollen.
Đerdapski med is a Serbian honey originating from Golubac near the national park Đerdap. This floral honey is usually made from black locust flowers (Robinia pseudoacacia) and linden tree flowers. The color of the honey varies from light yellow over light orange to dark orange.
The consistency is not as thick as in most other honey varieties. The aromas are subdued and pleasant with herbaceous and floral notes, while the flavor is rich and pleasant. Đerdapski med is extracted from the honeycombs twice a year and the diverse flora of the National Park Đerdap makes it pretty unique.
Fruškogorski lipov med is a Serbian honey originating from the Fruška Gora area. The honey is made from linden tree flowers, and the Fruška Gora area has more than 1500 herbal varieties apart from the linden trees. The extraction of honey is done exclusively on the territory of Fruška Gora national park.
The honey is unfiltered and unpasteurized so all of the healthy ingredients from the flowers go directly into the honey. In order for the honey to be called Fruškogorski lipov med (Fruška Gora lime honey), it must have a minimum of 60% linden pollen, and some varieties have more than 90% of linden pollen, which makes this honey unique and prized across the world.
Kačerski med is a Serbian type of honey originating from the Šumadija and the Kačer river area. This floral honey is made from the flowers of black locust, linden, and medicinal herbs. The color is golden-yellow, the aroma is neutral, and the flavor is mild.
The honey contains at least 85% black locust honey, up to 10% meadow flower honey, and up to 5% linden honey. During the honey production, the bees and hives don't abandon the Kačer area.
Best Southeastern European Honey Producers
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Beestories Honeys
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2020

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
BEST Hellenic Fields Honeys
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
BEST Melicreta- Leontaraki Ourania Honeys
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Chatzisoultanoglou Vasileios Honeys
Bee Naturalles is a honey producer based in Greece. They specialize in producing high-quality, raw, and unfiltered honey. The company focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly beekeeping practices. Bee Naturalles offers a variety of honey products, including thyme, pine, and blossom honey.
Their products are available both domestically and internationally.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Bee Naturalles Honeys
Melira is a honey producer located in Attica, Greece. The company specializes in high-quality honey products derived from various types of flowers and trees. Melira is known for its innovative packaging and commitment to preserving the natural properties of honey.
Their product line includes flavors such as thyme honey, pine honey, and heather honey.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2022

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022, 2021
BEST Melira Honeys
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2021
BEST To Meli Tis Arkoudas Honeys
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2021
BEST Gea Olympou Honeys
Bees melody is a honey producer located in Greece. It specializes in producing a variety of high-quality honey products. They focus on natural and sustainable beekeeping practices. The company emphasizes the importance of preserving local bee populations.
Their honey is sourced from diverse floral regions across Greece.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Bees Melody Honeys
Best Southeastern European Honeys
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Bee Naturalles' Organic Oak Honey is a premium product sourced from organic oak forests. This type of honey is typically dark and rich in flavor, often noted for its complex, woody, and slightly fruity undertones. It is harvested using sustainable practices to ensure the preservation of the natural environment and the health of the bee population.
The honey is raw and unprocessed, preserving its natural enzymes and nutrients.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Forest honey by 12Stremmata is known for its rich, unique flavor that comes from the diverse plant life in forested areas where bees collect the nectar. This type of honey typically has a darker color and a more robust taste compared to honey derived from single flower sources.
Forest honey is often praised for its higher mineral content and antioxidant properties, making it a popular choice for those seeking natural, health-promoting foods.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AUTHENTIKO is a product crafted by Melicreta- Leontaraki Ourania, known for its blend of thyme, aromatic herbs, and coniferous trees. This unique combination is likely designed to capture the essence of Mediterranean flora, offering a distinct and fragrant experience.
Thyme is well-regarded for its robust aroma and potential health benefits, while aromatic herbs and coniferous trees add complexity and depth to the overall scent and flavor profile.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
Μέλι ανθέων ευκαλύπτου made by Chatzisoultanoglou Vasileios is a type of honey derived from the nectar of various flowers, with a significant contribution from eucalyptus blossoms. This particular honey is known for its aromatic flavor and rich texture, offering a unique blend of floral and slightly medicinal notes that are characteristic of eucalyptus nectar.
The production process adheres to traditional beekeeping practices, ensuring high quality and preserving the natural properties of the honey. This honey is often sought after for its potential health benefits, including its antibacterial and soothing properties.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022, 2021




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