Best selection of arbutus honey.

Index: Our raw Arbutus honey Benefits and properties Recommendations Indications Origin

Summary:

Other interesting studies: Where to buy high-quality raw honey?

1. Our raw arbutus honey 

Firstly, we show you the most important characteristics os arbutus  honey:

a) Color

This unique honey stands out for its naturally dark hue, often approaching black. When it crystallizes, it transforms into a beautiful reddish-brown or deep amber color. Its appearance may vary slightly if bees collect nectar from other nearby floral sources, resulting in a darker tone.

Discover the full spectrum of its rich, natural colors below.

Photo 1: Colour range of raw arbutus honey.

b) Aroma

A honey obtained in Spain with a very peculiar and unique aroma. In addition, this honey has a genuine bitter touch, and the fresher the honey is, the more bitter it is. The bitterness of this honey is due to the heteroxides, an active principle that has a urinary and genital antiseptic action.

Here is also a video about the arbutus bush where we can see the bush, its leaves and flowers.

Video 1: Arbutus tree

c) Crystallization

The strawberry honey has a rapid crystallization and sometimes creates two phases for a higher moisture content.

d) Tree or arboretum shrub

Also, the arbutus is a shrub that usually does not exceed 5 meters and grows in the areas of the Mediterranean climate.

e) Pollen

The pollen contained in this honey is mostly from the humid arbutus. Although we can find pollen from heather, cistáceas, fabáceas and asteráceas.

Picture 2: Pollen spectrum of strawberry tree pollen

f) Flowering and harvesting

Unlike other common honeys, honey of arbutus is very scarce and difficult to produce. In addition, it usually coincides with other blooms. Moreover, we have only found one beekeeper in Cadiz to produce it.

Moreover, the arbutus flowers at the end of summer, and the honey is obtained at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Picture 3: Leaves of a strawberry tree

2. Benefits and properties

Secondly, we show you the benefits and properties of this honey.

The honey of strawberry tree is a natural product and has many health benefits. According to popular wisdom, its properties come from its low water content, high sugar concentration and enzyme content. Also, components found in the pollen and nectar of strawberry tree has health properties.

We have also compiled evidence from different scientific journals. Evidence collected below:

• According to research from two universities in Spain (Granada and Vigo) and an Italian university, this honey has properties against colon cancer.
• According to the article published in the journal “Internatonal journal of molecular science”, strawberry tree honey inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells. This could be due to its antioxidant and phytochemical properties.
• Also the previous article, gives to the honey of strawberry tree greater bactericidal and antioxidant properties. Therefore, this honey will help to prevent colds, throats pains and degenerative diseases such as cancer.

With this we do not certify properties, since the only organism that can certify a property to a product is a pharmaceutical company. Therefore, strawberry blossom honey is not a drug.

a) Contraindications

People suffering from a strawberry tree pollen allergy should be careful when consuming this honey, as it contains this type of pollen. Also, the high consumption can lead to weight gain.

3. Recommendations 

This honey has bitter touch, which subtracts considerably the sweetness. Also, great cooks use this honey to pair cheeses, chocolate mousse and give a very special touch to the coffee. The bitterness of the coffee with the bitterness of the honey of Arbutus combines very well.

This honey is usually used in the combination and elaboration of vinegar creams, giving them a powerful and fine taste.

Great chefs:

Likewise, great chefs also recommend it for the following pairings:

• Pairing cheeses, chocolate mousse and giving a very special touch to coffee.
• The bitterness of coffee with the bitterness of arbutus honey combines very well. Also, in herbal teas.
• This honey is often used in the combination and preparation of vinegar creams, giving them a powerful and fine flavour.
• It also combines very well with somewhat bitter vegetables and artichokes.
• Finally, the bitterness of this honey goes well with fresh cheese.

It is therefore a delicious honey that is well worth trying.

4. Indications

Arbutus honey tends to crystallise very quickly and with a coarse granulometry, so it is likely that you will always find it crystallised. Please take into account its bitterness, which not everyone likes. It loses its bitterness over time, and the more recent the honey is, the more bitter it becomes.

a) Useful life

Furthermore, such honey may lose some characteristic after two years. The bitterness of this honey decays on time.

b) Destination population

Finally, this honey isfor general public. However, we recommend not to feed children under two years old.

5. Origin

Arbutus honey is obtained from various local beekeepers in Spain, which are as follows:

Beekeeper	Location	Characteristics
Antonio Simón	Madrid, Spain	Organic
Rancho Cortesano	Cádiz, Spain	No organic

Table 1:  Our beekeepers

We work only with local beekeepers who use only sustainable and respectful practices. Also, our beekeepers are involved in all steps from harvesting to bottling honey in order to get the finest honey. Consequently, we are sure that we offer high-quality with no adulterations, the real honey.

6. Where to buy arbutus honey?

Arbutus honey is a magnificent honey that is not easy to find. It can only be found in specialised shops and in some online shops.

a) In Madrid

In Madrid, we are one of the few places where you can find it. We can also send it to your home whenever you wish.

On the other hand, it is curious that in the province of Madrid they have as a symbol the bear and the strawberry tree. In Madrid there have been no bears for centuries, and the number of strawberry trees is very small.

b) Other provinces: Cádiz, Málaga, Granada, Cádiz (Grazalema)

These are the provinces where it is easiest to find this honey, as this is where the greatest quantity is produced. Shop in the Sierra de Grazalema in Cádiz, where the strawberry tree is found the most.

c) On amazon

In the e-commerce shop you can also find it.

7. History

The first writings about the strawberry tree are found in chapter 138 of book I of Discorides, where he speaks of its virtues.

Also, the bear and the strawberry tree is the symbol of the community of Madrid. The monument is located in the Plaza de Sol.

8. More information:

The following parameters must be met by a strawberry tree honey.

Chemical parameters
Colour (mm Pfund) Minimum 80	Humidity (%). Maximum 18,5	Fructose + glucose: Minimum 60
Sucrose: Maximum 5	Electrical conductivity (mS/cm): minimum 0.6Free acidity (meq/kg): Maximum 50
HMF (mg/Kg = ppm): Maximum 40	Diastasases (Schade Units): Minimum 8

Table 2: Directive 110/2001 CE, RD 1049/2003 in Spain

9. FAQ

In addition, these are the most frequent questions:

• Is this honey very bitter?

This honey, together with almond honey, is one of the most bitterest. It has a slight bitterness, but not too much but it depends on the taste of each person.

• Don’t you sell it in a larger format?

Arbutus honey is scarce and currently,  we offer for sale onlye bottles of 500 gr.

• What is the best strawberry tree honey?

Of all the beekeepers we have found who supply strawberry tree honey, for us, the best strawberry tree honey is supplied by Antonio Simón and Rancho Cortesano.

Sources:

Abc Newspaper “Arbutus tree honey slows cell multiplication in colon cancer”. May 17, 2019

“Finally, if you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Consequently, we are happy to help you.”