Specialists of the company ECO-MedOK decided to analyze the situation in Ukraine with high-quality honey. What kind of honey is collected on the territory of Ukraine. What varieties of honey everyone knows, and what varieties are little known.
Let's talk about the most famous and popular varieties of honey in Ukraine, we counted about 7 types of such honey:
1. Acacia honey is the most famous and most popular, its popularity is due, first of all, to the long crystallization time. Acacia honey is in a liquid state for a year or more, thereby being very popular with consumers. Honey is harvested only 14 days a year in May during the flowering of acacias.
2. Sunflower honey - according to our experts, this honey is the most underestimated in Ukraine. Rapid crystallization and massive honey collections of this variety do not make it popular among consumers, but in vain. Basically, this honey is used in the food and cosmetic industries, this is due to a fairly low price and mass production.
3. Linden honey - produced from the nectar of linden flowers. Linden honey has a hue ranging from yellow to amber. Linden honey is sweeter than other varieties. The process of crystallization of this honey begins three months after the honey collection.
4. Buckwheat honey - a dark variety with a unique bitter taste. Collected from the end of June to the beginning of August. Crystallization begins about a month after the honey collection.
5. Flower honey (forbs) - is collected from a variety of flowering plants, based on this color, taste can be completely different. For a clearer definition, such honey is designated by the region of collection. The labels indicate in which region and when the honey was collected. It can also be indicated from which plants it is collected, meadow, forest, mountain. Without marking the region of production, we would not recommend buying such honey.
6. May honey - we can say that this is a variety of herbs, its only uniqueness is that it is the first honey that beekeepers collect at the very beginning of the honey collection season.
7. Rapeseed honey - less popular than previous varieties. Rapeseed honey is just beginning to conquer its consumer, this is due to its delicate, oily structure. The color is white, possibly with a yellowish tinge. Sickly sweet, crystallizes very quickly 3-4 weeks.
14 rare and less popular varieties of honey in Ukraine:
Next, let's introduce the less popular varieties of honey that are produced in Ukraine. Many of these honeys you could not even hear.
1. Phacelia honey - the consumer potential of this honey is very high. The taste is particularly spicy and tart. Crystallization takes a very long time for a year or more. In color, phacelia honey has a rich light yellow tint, but during crystallization, the color changes dramatically to cream with a white, and sometimes greenish tint.
2. Goldenrod Honey - The color of honey is quite unique and has a light brown hue. The taste is quite sharp with a slight bitterness. It is in a liquid state for approximately two months from the moment of honey collection.
3. Coriander honey - a rare variety, golden color with a hint of brown. The taste is specific grassy with a hint of medicinal herbs. Crystallization is very fast 1-2 months.
4. Sophora honey - collected from Sophora trees, originally from Japan. The color is white, it has special healing properties. Very rare in Ukraine.
5. Sainfoin honey - the color of this honey can be from light yellow to white. Crystallization occurs rather slowly, later honey acquires a creamy structure. The taste is floral, somewhat reminiscent of the taste of water from a rose.
6. Sweet clover honey - amber or white, interesting taste reminiscent of the smell of vanilla. Honey of this variety does not crystallize for a long time up to 2 years. Based on this, we can conclude that the consumer potential of sweet clover honey is quite large.
7. Honeydew honey is honey of animal origin, obtained when honeydew is collected by bees (a sweet liquid secreted by insects, worms). It is distinguished by the complete absence of honey smell, it is very sweet. Color, from dark brown to dark, sometimes with a green tint. In some countries, this type of honey is very valuable. Crystallization occurs quite quickly.
8. Pumpkin honey - belong to very rare varieties. The color is amber with a yellow tint, crystallization is very fast up to 1-2 months. The taste is very unusual vegetable, with a hint of melon.
9. Lavender honey - a unique honey of medium sweetness, slightly sour, absolutely unusual taste. The color after the honey collection is golden in the process of crystallization gradually turns white. It remains liquid for 6 months, then becomes creamy, does not harden. We consider the consumer potential of this variety to be rather high.
10. This honeycomb honey is light yellow in color, after crystallization it can become a white yellowish or greenish tint. The crystallization process occurs quite quickly 1-2 months, but does not completely harden, but acquires a creamy structure. Moderately sweet with a floral aftertaste.
11. Euphorbia honey - a dark variety, a dark brown hue. The taste is very specific with a bitter aftertaste. It remains liquid for a very long time of 1-2 years, which gives it certain commercial advantages.
12. Chestnut honey - is considered one of the elite varieties of dark honey, light bitterness gives it a special taste and unique aroma, slightly tart and nutty flavor. Chestnut honey is impossible to confuse with anything. It remains liquid for 2-3 years.
13. Sage honey is a rare variety for Ukraine, one might say exotic, moderately sweet with a slight bitterness. Amber to dark golden color. Remains in a liquid state for a long time 2-3 years.
14. Milk thistle honey - very rare, sweet with a slight sourness, a tart aftertaste is possible. Color moderately yellow to amber. It crystallizes quite quickly for 1-2 months, but after that it has a soft structure.
How to determine the grade of honey?
The only correct way to determine the grade of honey is by pollen analysis. Pollen analysis can only be done in a laboratory using special equipment and certain professional knowledge. There are several laboratories in Ukraine that do this analysis. According to the results of the analysis, the laboratory issues a certificate of conformity to a particular type of honey.
The conclusions made by the specialists of the company ECO-MedOK.
Prospects for the production and sale of varietal honey are very tempting. Beekeepers who reorient their production to varietal honey will be able to significantly increase their income. The ECO-MedOK company invites beekeepers to mutually beneficial cooperation in the sale of varietal honey in Ukraine.