Honey is not just a natural sweetener: it is a true ally for your health. Rich in vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals, and trace elements, it helps stimulate vitality, strengthen the immune system, and promote overall well-being. For centuries, Alpine populations have also used it as a natural remedy for minor ailments: honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, particularly beneficial for the throat and respiratory system.
The variety of honey depends on the flowers from which the bees collect nectar. Each type has its own organoleptic characteristics and specific properties: mountain honeys, rich in pollen and aromas, offer a unique and beneficial tasting experience. From delicate acacia honey to the more intense chestnut honey, the Dolomites preserve prized varieties that combine flavor and health in every spoonful.
DOP Honey from the Belluno Dolomites
The “Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” has received the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) under EC Regulation No. 241 of March 11, 2011, ensuring authenticity, quality, and certified origin. There are six types of honey, depending on the nectars collected by the bees: millefiori, acacia, linden, chestnut, rhododendron, and dandelion.
The regulation describes the characteristics of the six DOP honeys:
- Millefiori: from light yellow to amber, sweet and soft, with a marked tendency to crystallize.
- Acacia (Robinia): clear and transparent, delicate and very sweet, floral aroma, typically liquid.
- Linden: from yellow to greenish, slightly bitter aftertaste, fresh and balsamic scent, pasty texture with delayed crystallization.
- Chestnut: dark brown, slightly sweet, bitter and tannic, pungent and aromatic scent.
- Rhododendron: from almost colorless to light beige, delicate taste, vegetal and fruity aroma, liquid initially and then fine-grained pasty.
- Dandelion: yellowish reflections, slightly or moderately sweet, usually acidic, slightly bitter and astringent.
These honeys are a true excellence of the Belluno area, produced by bees in pristine environments and regulated by strict guidelines that ensure quality and purity.
Honey from South Tyrol: Quality and Tradition from the Farmsteads
In South Tyrol, honey quality is paramount. Local beekeepers follow strict hygiene controls and harvest only mature honey, avoiding high temperatures to preserve aroma and nutrients. Each variety maintains an intense and authentic flavor, reflecting the richness of alpine flowers, chestnut trees, and linden trees in the mountain landscapes.
Many South Tyrolean farmsteads, affiliated with the Gallo Rosso brand, offer honey directly from the producers. Whether delicate flower honey or stronger forest honey, each jar guarantees purity, regional authenticity, and genuine flavor. Purchasing directly from the farmsteads or local shops is the best choice for those seeking natural, genuine, and high-quality honey.
