Socotra Honey from Yemen | Multi-endemic Monofloral • UNESCO Bio-region Classification
A molecular structure with a high density of polyphenols: a honey from an isolated island ecosystem, with a chemical composition that diverges from continental honeys.
Location and Growing Variables
Biotope
Harvested on the Socotra archipelago, in the Indian Ocean. The limestone and granite soil, combined with a semi-desert climate, supports a flora of which 37% of species are endemic (notably the genera Euphorbia and Aloe). This geographical isolation obliges the bees to forage on singular botanical essences, found nowhere else.
Harvest
Extraction carried out by local beekeepers according to strict seasonal cycles tied to the endemic flowering. The complete absence of polluting industry and of plant-protection treatments on the island ensures a total biological integrity of the nectar.
Technical Data and Processing
Cold hand extraction. The honey undergoes no thermal pasteurisation, preserving the full active enzymes, vitamins and heat-sensitive phenolic compounds.
Marked by a low moisture level and a high concentration of minerals. Its composition is distinguished by a notable presence of specific antioxidant molecules from the resins and saps of the island's endemic trees.
Coarse filtration only, keeping the natural sediments (pollen, propolis micro-particles) that contribute to the complexity of its profile.
Organoleptic Characteristics
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MouthfeelA texture that varies from lot to lot, from a viscous fluidity to a fine, creamy crystallisation. The attack is complex, with a balanced interplay between natural sugar and a note of mineral acidity.
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Aromatic SpectrumAn atypical olfactory architecture marked by herbaceous top notes. The heart reveals nuances of dried fruits, wood resin and warm earth, reflecting the botanical diversity of the Socotra ecosystem.
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Distinctive CharacterThis honey is prized for the singular richness born of its endemic flora and of an extraction that leaves it entirely raw.
Parameters of Use and Storage
Administration: To be savoured by the teaspoon, on its own, to appreciate the full complexity of its profile.
Technical recommendation: Do not heat above 40 °C, so as not to inactivate the enzymes and the heat-sensitive antioxidant compounds.
Storage: Store in a neutral glass jar away from direct sunlight. Its molecular stability is high, but a steady room temperature (20 °C) is advised to maintain the consistency of its texture.
