Tree honey, also known as honeydew honey or forest honey, is a unique type of honey sourced not from flower nectar, but from honeydew. This honeydew is a sweet, sticky substance excreted by insects like aphids as they feed on plant sap. These insects primarily feed on trees, both coniferous and deciduous, though it can also come from grasses and other plants.
Understanding Honeydew Honey
Honeydew honey differs significantly from nectar-based honey in several aspects:
- Source: Instead of flower nectar, it originates from the honeydew excreted by plant-sucking insects.
- Flavor Profile: It often has a distinctive, strong, and sometimes earthy or slightly bitter flavor, unlike the more floral notes found in many nectar honeys. The flavor can vary widely depending on the tree species and insect involved.
- Color and Texture: It can range in color from dark amber to almost black, and may have a thicker, more viscous consistency than nectar honeys.
- Nutritional Content: The specific nutritional profile may vary, but it typically contains unique sugars and minerals compared to flower honeys.
Production of Tree Honey
The process involves insects feeding on trees, excreting honeydew which is then collected by honeybees. These bees process the honeydew, storing it in their honeycombs where it undergoes maturation and dehydration, eventually becoming the honey we consume. The bees are drawn to this sticky, sugar-rich substance much like they are to floral nectar.
- Insects: Aphids, scale insects, and other sap-sucking insects are the primary sources of honeydew.
- Tree Species: A wide variety of trees contribute to honeydew production, including conifers like pines and firs, and deciduous trees like oaks and maples. The type of tree significantly impacts the honey's flavor and characteristics.
- Bee Activity: Honeybees actively collect the honeydew and transform it into the honey that we consume.
Distinguishing Features of Tree Honey
While its origin is different, tree honey shares the fundamental characteristics of being a natural sweetener and providing potential health benefits. It is important to remember that the taste and quality of tree honey can vary greatly due to the wide range of potential sources.
