Honey Types of Beigua Park
For its particular position straddle the watershed of the Apennines and for its proximity to the sea, Beigua Regional Park is considered one of the most important areas of Liguria for its biodiversity. The nature of the Park territory has enabled the survival of a rich vegetation that, during the blooming period, represents an excellent trophic source for bees. The good flower diversity (enriched by multicolored endemic species like: Viola Bertolonii, Cerastium utriense, Asplenium cuneifolum, Daphne cneorum, Cheilantes marantae), the climate mitigated by the proximity to the sea, and the work of man who has introduced nectariferous cultivations make Beigua Park an area with particularly favorable conditions for beekeeping and the production of excellent monofloral honey types.
The Specifications of the Honey Types of Beigua Park
In 2003, the Park Authority started a specific study – entrusted to the University of Pisa – aiming at identifying the properties of the honey types produced in the Park, in order to define their specifications and better enhance their organoleptic features in production and commercial terms.
The Features of the Honey Types of Beigua Park
The honey varieties produced in the territory of Beigua Park are:
- polyfloral honey (mixed flower)
- black locust honey
- chestnut tree honey
- heath honey
- honeydew honey
For each variety, the organoleptic features they must have like color, consistency, and perfume have been defined. Particular attention is paid to the production area (including of course the territory of Beigua Park and the territories functionally linked to it), the productive chain, the beehives, their location, but also the production, extraction, and processing methods, as well as the packaging, for which the pasteurization is not allowed.
Where to Find the Honey Types of Beigua Park
The honey produced in Beigua Park is for sale – in the beekeeping farms joining the specifications or in some local shops – in jars of 250 g, 500 g, or 1 kilo. The packages have specific guarantee seals provided by Beigua Park and having an identification code.
RES MAR Project
In order to continue promoting the network of the local market and its excellent products, the Park Authority started in 2011 a new initiative – included in the Project RES MAR / Sub-project H
