BULGARIAN LIME HONEY

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Traditionally gathered from the nectar of Lime Tree Tilia blossoms surrounding the River Danube in the fertile agricultural region of Southern Dobrudja in Northwest Bulgaria, blossoming during the period of late June to late July.

Lime grove Tilia blossom

These trees can live over 1000 years and grow up to 100 foot tall. They have been revered throughout history for over 2000 years and were known as the mystical tree of life.

Bees collect it from the nectar of greenish yellow flowers of the queen of  honey plants, as the people rightly called linden. One lime of middle age, growing in favorable conditions, with optimal weather conditions can give 40 or more pounds of high-grade honey..

The honey is light, fragrant, pleasantly sweet, but with a barely perceptible bitter aftertaste and a slight astringency. Its flavor profile is rich and includes balsamic, menthol and minty, hay or light woody notes. It’s not particularly acidic, but decidedly sweet and has a medium-fast crystallization time. A fresh linden honey often begins to crystallize about 4 months after harvest. While at first it’s liquid, as it matures it takes on a thicker consistency.

Please know that raw honey does crystalise and this is a natural process that occurs mainly due to the natural glucose in raw honey. For more information on why honey sets visit this article and for a more scientific explanation go to wikipedia.

1) Natural antibacterial. For the most part, the antibacterial properties of linden honey are a result of its content of a natural antimicrobial called hydrogen peroxide, which reduces bacteria growth. The low moisture content and acidic pH of the honey also help stop bacteria growth at the site of the infection, further contributing to its antibacterial action, but also calming effect. Pollen helps boost the immune system response. Honey in general is most effective when in direct contact with bacterial agents and irritated mucous membranes, which explains why it is eaten to help treat respiratory infections such as colds, flu, laryngitis, pharyngitis or rhinitis and their symptoms.

2) Good for sore throat and cough. Linden honey is especially good for cough and sore throat, common symptoms of a variety of respiratory tract infections. Its viscous consistency helps the honey stick to the throat lining, forming a sort of protective coating that prevents further irritation and allows it to heal. This also helps suppress the cough reflex, helping calm cough. The antibacterial properties actively contribute to fighting off the infection, by either stopping its spread or reducing bacteria numbers. But for linden or any other types of honey to be effective, it is important to avoid processing and heating, both of which affect their beneficial properties, potentially rendering the honey ineffective.

3) Helps get rid of phlegm. Linden honey may help get rid of phlegm in the throat because of its mildly astringent properties which contribute to breaking down the sticky mucus, helping dislocate it. This should helps us eliminate it by coughing it up. Warm linden tea can help get rid of mucus in the nose as well.

4) Source of vitamins and antioxidants. All honey varieties contain small amounts of essential nutrients such as vitamins, dietary minerals or amino acids, but also antioxidants. Linden has vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus zinc, but also antioxidant polyphenols, flavonoids and even tannins and some essential oils with antioxidant effects. All of these elements are what makes linden honey healthy.

5) Energizing effects. Linden and all honeys hold natural tonic properties, helping raise energy levels and improve mood and even appetite. Such effects are believed to be a result of the natural sugars and other nutrients found in the honey (amino acids, pollen etc). For me, linden honey is a great help for hypoglycemia because it restores good energy levels quickly, giving me the time and strength to prepare a good meal.

6) Hepatoprotective properties. Linden flowers have been traditionally used in various preparations for promoting liver health and, now, the honey derived from their nectar is said to have similar properties. The honey is said to encourage the release of bile, helping with good liver function and thus contributing to liver health. By maintaining a healthy liver, capable of detoxifying the body of toxins, linden honey is awarded the attribute of natural cholagogue, meaning hepatoprotective.

7) Soothing action on the stomach. Because of its characteristics (naturally thick consistency and low moisture) and beneficial antibacterial properties, linden honey has a soothing, calming action. People often eat a tablespoon of raw, unprocessed linden honey on an empty stomach in the morning to relieve stomach discomfort, improve digestion and relieve stomach irritation caused by gastritis. The honey is also eaten for treating stomach ulcers.

It has been shown that the natural sugars in the honey have a prebiotic effect, feeding the good bacteria in our digestive system, which helps improve digestion overall and works towards relieving constipation. Moreover, the naturally thick consistency and antibacterial properties of the honey make it a good complementary approach towards gastritis treatment.

8) Great for skin care. Applied on the skin, linden honey can help calm irritation and redness and even reduce acne breakouts. Used as a face mask, it unclogs pores, reduces blackheads, softens skin and makes it look radiant, giving it a beautiful glow. In my experience, light-colored honeys like linden also help with uneven skin tone.

9) For hypertension. Preparations from linden flowers such as linden tea have blood pressure-lowering effects. It has been suggested that the honey too may have such benefits as well considering that certain active properties from the plant flowers are imparted to the honey. In any case, considering the chemical composition of the honey, such effects would be mild at most.

Pairs perfectly with the fresh flavours of mint, green grapes, melon, and fresh coriander and goes beautifully with seared prawns or scallops. Drizzle this over a soft, mild creamy cheese such as Ricotta or Buratta. It’s tangy, fruity flavour make it an excellent ingredient in marinades for the barbeque, salad dressings and cocktails

FDA Registration No. : 10887810022
FDA Product Code : 36 C C T 04
Manufacture Certification : SALSA

*** NOT SUITABLE FOR INFANTS UNDER 12 MONTHS
*** If you are already allergic to flower pollen, honey bee enzymes, and other bee products consumption should be avoided because it will trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

As standard, all our honeys are supplied with Certificates of Analysis testing done by international laboratories as illustrated in the European Honey CODEX :

• HMF & Diatase
  To ensure the honey has not been heat treated and is not old/adulterated honey (refer to Honey Codex).

• Sugars (Fructose/Glucose/Sucrose)
  To ensure the honey has not been adulterated by the addition of sugar syrup and the bees have foraged on flower nectar to make the honey and not fed on sugar syrup during the honey production period (refer to Honey Codex).

• Pollen Analysis and Geographical Origin
  To ensure authenticity of the botanical and geographical origin. Note, with respect to Orange Blossom Honey, the flower naturally produces very low pollen counts and therefore the concentration of Methyl Anthranilate is also analysed as an indicator of the quality and authenticity of the Orange Blossom honey.
• Antibiotic and Veterinary Residues
  To ensure products comply with those maximum residue limits for honey established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

• Moisture Content
  To ensure the honey has ripened properly and not diluted with water (refer to Honey Codex).

***Due to space limitation, we only published Pollen Analysis Report here. If you interested to get access on full report, please send us an email. We’ll gladly help you.

Our Honey Sommelier has traveled the globe to bring you the finest, raw monofloral honeys from around the world, each selected for their unique aroma, palate and finish. All traditionally gathered and never heated over the normal temperature of the hive.

Produce of : Dobrudia, Bulgaria
Pack & bottle : Hand pack & bottle in Perthshire, Scotland