Why is honeydew special?

Holm oak honey is a very unique type of honey in the beekeeping world. Unlike traditional honeys, which come from flower nectar, holm oak honey is made from honeydew, a sweet substance that bees collect from oak and holm oak trees instead of flowers. This honey stands out for its dark color and intense flavor with characteristic woody nuances.

Below, I'll explain exactly what honeydew is, how it's produced, and what makes Holm Oak honey so special, including details about its flavor, color, origin, and harvest season.

What is honeydew?

Honeydew (also known as honeydew ) is a sugary substance that comes not from the nectar of flowers, but from trees. In the case of holm oak honey, honeydew occurs in holm oak forests. Small insects feed on the sap of holm oaks and, in doing so, secrete a liquid that is deposited on the bark and leaves. This sweet substance is honeydew, and it is the raw material that bees use to make holm oak honey. The bees collect this juice from the tree in the same way they would normally collect nectar from a flower, then take it back to the hive to transform it into honey.

The honeydew phenomenon usually occurs during warm periods when vegetation is active, and in the case of holm oaks, it coincides with the end of summer. As flowers become scarce toward the end of summer, bees find honeydew a valuable food source.

Peculiarities of Holm Oak honey

One of the first differences observed with the naked eye in holm oak honey is its dark appearance. Its very dark amber hue is due to its origin and composition: coming from sap and honeydew rich in minerals and natural compounds, the honey acquires darker pigments than light flower honeys. Its texture is usually dense and thick, with relatively low humidity. Furthermore, it tends to crystallize slowly or even remain liquid for long periods, due to its characteristics.

In terms of flavor, holm oak honey is characterized by its strong, intense, and full-bodied flavor. In fact, at Miel Mayem, we emphasize that our holm oak honey has a pronounced flavor with distinctly woody notes. The aroma of holm oak honey complements its intense flavor: it is a subtle aroma, with resinous or balsamic notes that evoke the holm oak forest from which it originates.

Another aspect that makes holm oak honey special is its nutrient richness. Since it comes from tree juice, it typically contains a higher concentration of minerals (such as iron, potassium, and magnesium) and antioxidant compounds (polyphenols) than many light honeys.

Finally, holm oak honey is unique due to its seasonality and geographical origin. Because it is harvested only between late summer and early autumn in certain areas, it is a less common honey on the market.

Varieties of Encima de Miel Mayem honey

At Miel Mayem, we work with holm oak honey using traditional methods, respecting its origins. You can find it in two versions: natural holm oak honey , with a more fluid texture, and raw holm oak honey , spoon-packed directly from the drum to the jar. Both preserve the intense flavor and unique character of this forest honey.

Discover all our honey varieties in our online store or visit us at our physical store in L'Alcúdia, at Calle Gutiérrez Mellado, 5. You can contact us via WhatsApp, call us at +34 623 232 074 or send us an email to hola@mielmayem.com .