Honey has many properties, however, its adulteration takes away much of its benefits.
It can only be calledpure honey” to that sweet substance produced by the honey bee (Apis Mellifera), whose production in Chile is concentrated in the Metropolitan, O’Higgins and Maule regions.
Although there are beehives in almost all our territory, the most relevant honey based on its properties is produced from the melliferous species of the native forest.
Most of the national production (90%) is exported to the markets of China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the European Union, and is the main primary livestock product exported by the country.
Honey has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, and inherits the properties of the plants from which it is produced. In 2009, August 6 of each year was established as the “National Honey Day”, thanks to a decree signed by President Michelle Bachelet.
“The main objective of this commemoration is to spread the benefits of consuming honey and products derived from the hive that contribute to a good diet, providing undeniable health benefits. And something very important, that we as Chileans value the noble work of bees and beekeepers”, comments Dr. Enrique Mejías, researcher at the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) and scientific coordinator of Apimondia Chile 2023.
Tips to recognize pure honey from bees
The flavor, aroma and nutritional value of this product, which is the result of the work of millions of bees around the world, is valued and respected by many people. However, we are also facing a fact that is devastating for the industry: the adulteration of honey.
• Pure honey tends to crystallize in winter.
• Price is a good discriminating element. If the price is very low, there is a possibility that it is an adulterated product.
• The sugar or chancaca that is added to the honey can ferment.
• Pure honey is of indefinite duration.
• Honey should not dissolve easily in water.
It is necessary to take into account that to produce a spoonful of honey, the intense work of at least 10 bees is required, which dedicate their entire productive life to such purposes, hence the great value of the authenticity of this noble product.}
Apimondia Chile 2023
In September of next year, our country will host the Apimondia Congress, a kind of “world honey event”, an international event where beekeepers and scientists meet to address all the issues that involve the sector, where solutions are sought to the problems that afflict beekeeping and we work with all the actors in the beekeeping chain.
“The realization of the Congress of Apimondia in Chile is a reaffirmation of the importance of the beekeeping activity not only in our country, but also worldwide. Therefore, it takes much more than one day a year to talk about the issues and difficulties faced by beekeepers. The opportunity offered by Apimondia to position beekeeping, honey and bees is promising”, adds Dr. Mejías.