A highly prized polyfloral honey harvested in the meadows of Georgia’s alpine zone. Honeybees collect the nectar of the vast array of alpine flowers, many of which are endemic in Georgia,  blooming at altitudes of 1700- 2500 meters above sea level. It is harvested at the end of the summer by beekeepers engaged in transhumance. The honey harvested in the alpine zones differs throughout the regions due to the geographical location, where specific types of flower grow differently. Thus the taste of alpine honey is more complex and aromatic than others. It contains a higher level of glucose thus alpine honey crystalizes faster than some other honeys. The honey is golden-yellow, sometimes yellow-brown with pleasant aroma (very sweet)and has a pleasant sweet taste. It contains a lot of nutrients. This is honey with strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

A polyfloral honey harvested from the nectars of miscellaneous and undefined flowers widespread in Georgia. The colour varies from amber to dark amber, some of them are even darker indicating that it contains honeydew. It can contain pollen of various flowers such as clover, currant, Caucasian comfrey, linden, white willow or drupaceous plants. It can have different aromas, but has a  delicate and somewhat spicy taste. The ratio between glucose and fructose can be different depending on dominant flower. The honey has different healing properties. Locals usually use it against flu, diarrhea, fluid retention and viral respiratory infections.

It is one of the most popular honeys in the world for its mild taste and lightly fragrant bouquet. Honeybees create it from the harvested nectar of acacia. The various types of acacia are widespread throughout Georgia including the dominant False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia). Georgian beekeepers harvest acacia honey at the end of the spring. The honey has a light transparent colour with a rose-gold tint and sweet orange and floral notes. It is mild and easily digestible. Due to the high consistency of fructose, it crystalizes more slowly than other types of honey. As it is very sweet, it is used as a healthier alternative to sugar, even recommended for people with diabetes; has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect and is used as a prevention of stomach and duodenum ulcers. It is a natural post workout recovery food.

Amono floral honey made from the nectar of the linden flower of the lime tree. Tilia Caucasica, the Caucasian Lime tree is widely spread in Georgia, which blooms in the beginning of the summer. The colour can vary from amber to darker colour, but generally it is lighter in colour. Darker linden honey is more characteristic of Western Georgia where the blooming period of linden matches that of chestnut and other honey flowers making the aroma more distinct. The flavour of the honey can be described as fresh and woody with a hint of mint, balsamic and camphor aromas. Linden honey is sweet sometimes with a touch of bitterness. Glucose prevails slightly in the sugar ratio which makes the honey prone to crystalize faster than acacia or chestnut honey. Linden honey contains a brilliant combination of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients, minerals and acids which makes it perfect additional cure for many diseases. It is highly recommended for use during flu, coughing and high temperature.

Solidago or Goldenrod honey is a mono floral honey made from the nectar of the Solidago flower or Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea ssp. Caucasica). It is widespread in the Kolkheti lowland of Western Georgia. Solidago blooms at the beginning of autumn and the honey is harvested at the end of October. The honey has a light transparent colour but it crystalizes very fast as the glucose content is very high. Beekeepers usually use it for feeding the bee colony during overwintering. 

Matrobela which translates from Georgian as drunk honey is a toxic honey harvested from the nectar of endemic flowers such as Rhododendrom ponticum and Rhododendrom luteum. Locals gave it such a strange name due to its hallucinogenic and laxative effect. It is also known as a “mad honey”. The honey contains grayanotoxin (andromedotoxin) which is responsible for creating the effects. The toxin is secreted by rhododendrons for defense against herbivore animals. In certain circumstances, honeybees collect the nectar from that flower species and transmit the toxin into honey. Depending on the dose, intoxication can have several symptoms such as low blood pressure vomiting, salivation, in some cases even loss of coordination, muscular weakness, paresthesia and irregular heartbeat. Beekeepers try to avoid getting such honey in their hives. However, there are consumers around the world who prize this exotic honey. This honey is used for medical purposes and the treatment of various diseases.  

Jara honey is a very rare top-quality organic wild honey found in Georgia. It is 100% pure and wild.

Wild beekeeping techniques are rare these days, but Georgia is one of the few places in the world that has preserved wild beekeeping in remote dwellings located in the subtropical and alpine zones of Western Georgia. Here, only a ten dozen beekeepers continue the difficult but ancient tradition of the domestication of wild bees – which is an excellent example of mutually useful coexistence of wild nature and humans.

Jara hives provide an opportunity to create true and uniquely flavoured wild honey through the replication of the tree hollow concept – the natural home of wild bees, without artificial wax and free from the involvement of beekeepers. Jara honey is also served with the honeycomb. This is top-quality honey produced from wild flowers, earning a place of honour on your table.

Follow the link and discover more about Jara: jarahoney.com