Talk about a rare product!
PDO Vosges pine honey is produced in the fir forests of Vosges (Grand-Est region of France) using a one-of-a-kind process.
What you need to know
In the low-lying Vosges mountains, bees enjoy not only gathering pollen from flowers, but also feasting on honeydew. This product comes with a surprising history and a beautiful tradition. The forests of Vosges are primarily made up of silver firs. In summer, aphids gather at the base of the trees' needles to eat their sap. These greedy little bugs eat their fill and produce drops of sweet honeydew. If the weather conditions are right, the aphids flourish, and Vosges' forests become a veritable honeydew factory. Bees that are specifically brought to the forests by beekeepers for this purpose gather the honeydew to produce a one-of-a-kind honey, which is then harvested according to traditional methods long used in the Vosges Mountains.
PDO Vosges pine honey is harvested in specific areas within the forested mountain regions in the departments of Vosges, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, and Haute-Saône as well as the area around Belfort.
Nutritional benefits
Rich in sugar and trace minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur.
Editor's note
Pair with
Sweet: fromage blanc, warm milk, crepes, sourdough, walnuts, and hazelnuts.
Savory: cheese similar to goat cheese or Camembert.
Wine: Brouilly Rouge, Haut-Médoc Rouge, Graves Blanc, and Chiroubles Rouge.