The research also found that linden, acacia, and heather honey are creating something of a buzz.
The study comes ahead of Monday’s World Bee Day, established by the UN to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.
Honey production and consumption in Poland vary by region. The south specializes in honeydew honey, while the north produces Wildflower and creamy rapeseed honey.
In the east, dark buckwheat honey is the most popular, whereas the west is known for linden and acacia honey.
Varietal honey is typically produced in areas with large concentrations of specific trees or flowers, allowing bees to gather nectar primarily from one plant species.
Flowering times are important: acacia honey is usually produced in late May to early June, linden honey from June to July, and heather honey in the fall. Beekeepers caution that this year’s early spring weather anomalies could disrupt this schedule.
Bees “specialize” in producing specific types of honey. Beekeepers note that the insects tend to stick to one type of flower, increasing their efficiency.
For instance, if an apiary is near rapeseed fields, bees will continue collecting nectar from these flowers until they stop blooming.
Experienced beekeepers can distinguish honey types based on color, smell, and taste.
The Polish Honey Chamber emphasizes that honey from Polish companies undergoes advanced quality and composition testing to ensure it is free from antibiotics and pesticides, and to identify the specific pollens used.
Przemysław Rujna from the Polish Honey Chamber highlighted that varietal honey, such as linden or acacia, is becoming rarer in Poland. He attributed this to climate change and stringent regulations that differ from most EU countries.
Linden honey, known for its strong, pleasant aroma, is crucial in the EU honey industry and is a key export for many Eastern European countries, including Poland.
Polish Honey Chamber data shows that the average Pole consumes about 1 kg of honey per year, compared to the Western European average of 1.7 kg. In contrast, Italians and Germans consume around 2 kg annually, while Greeks consume 5 kg.
“This indicates significant potential for increasing demand,” the Chamber noted.
