Mad Honey Nepal - 50g

Real Mad Honey Nepal - 50g

The harvest of Real Mad Honey is a fascinating and demanding process, requiring skills, courage, and knowledge of traditional techniques. This honey is mainly collected in the remote mountainous regions of Nepal and Turkey, where specific species of rhododendrons grow, whose nectar contains grayanotoxins.

Harvesting process of Real Mad Honey:

1. Identification of the right period: Mad Honey is collected twice a year, usually in spring and autumn, when rhododendrons bloom and provide nectar.
2. Searching for bee colonies: Local gatherers, known as "hunters" or "honey gatherers," search for bee hives in remote and hard-to-reach mountainous areas. These hives are often located high on cliffs or in forested areas.
3. Preparation for the harvest: Gatherers equip themselves with traditional tools such as ropes, ladders, and protective clothing. Before the harvest, they often perform rituals for protection against bee stings and to ensure safety.
4. Climbing to the hives: Gatherers often have to climb steep cliffs and trees to reach the hives. They use ropes and improvised ladders made of bamboo or other available materials.
5. Honey harvesting: Upon reaching the hive, gatherers carefully remove the honeycombs. This process requires great caution to avoid disturbing the hive and provoking aggressive bee reactions. They use smoke to calm the bees, allowing for safer work.
6. Extracting honey: The honeycombs are then brought down, and the honey is extracted using traditional methods. In some cases, the honeycombs are pressed to obtain liquid honey, which is then filtered and cleaned.
7. Packing and storing: Freshly harvested honey is packed into containers and prepared for distribution. It is important to store the honey in a dry and cool place to maintain its unique properties and quality.

Challenges and risks:

• Dangerous conditions: Gatherers face dangerous conditions such as climbing steep cliffs and the risk of falling.
• Aggressive bees: Bees producing Mad Honey can be very aggressive, increasing the risk of stings.

Harvesting Real Mad Honey is therefore not only physically demanding, but also requires deep knowledge of nature and traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. This process adds to the value and uniqueness of this rare honey. Typically, it is a family tradition passed from father to son and then to the next generation. The process of collecting mad honey involves the whole family and is also a means of livelihood.