People in the US used to have a lot of the German Black Honey Bee, which is also called the European Dark bee (Apis mellifera mellifera). They were the foundation of beekeeping in America. Today, they are almost non-existent. Why did they become less common? Let’s look at how the wants and needs of beekeepers affect which breeds get promoted. And, how those less than desirable characteristics of the Black Honey Bee played a role.
You may think that all honey bees are the same. Not at all. There are different races or breeds of honey bees, as well as hybrids that are made by crossing two or more types. Like their genetic background, the traits of these mixes differ too.
The Mysterious Origins of Black Bee Honey
As honey enthusiasts know, honey comes in a wide spectrum of colors – from pale yellow and amber to dark brown. However, few are aware that in rare cases, bees can produce honey that is shockingly dark, almost black. This peculiar black honey possesses a unique flavor and history steeped in tradition.
What Causes Black Bee Honey?
While regular honey obtains its golden hue from bees collecting nectar from flowers, darker honeys occur when bees gather honeydew instead. Honeydew is a sweet, sticky substance secreted by aphids and scale insects that live on certain trees and plants. When bees consume honeydew, it infuses their honey with darker pigments, creating an amber to black shade.
The darkness of black honey depends on the type of tree or plant the honeydew is gathered from. For example, honeydew from evergreen trees produces a very dark almost black honey. In particular, honeydew from the Mediterranean umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) is famous for making monofloral dark honey. Bees feeding off the pine trees in forests across Spain and Portugal generate signature black pine honey.
Where in the World is Black Bee Honey Made?
Black honey is exceptionally rare found mostly in small batches from specific regions. As mentioned Spain and Portugal are renowned for their black pine honey (miel de pineo). Turkey also produces a famous black honey (kara bal) exclusively in the mountains above the Black Sea. This highly prized honey comes from bees feeding on rhododendron and azalea plants and trees.
The hive boxes are even painted black to prevent light from filtering in and maintain the honey’s exotic opaque appearance. This savage and unspoiled landscape imbues the honey with rustic, earthy flavors. Black Sea black honey is touted as one of the world’s best honeys. However, its rarity means it is hard to find outside the remote mountain villages it is made in.
Germany has its famous black forest honey, nourished by the regional fir trees. There is also dark heather honey made by bees foraging in the heather flower-covered moors of the UK. Occasionally, New Zealand will produce batches of kamahi honey, foraged from kamahi trees growing deep in its rainforests.
Unique Taste and Uses for Black Honey
The dark tint of black honey translates to an intensely robust, bittersweet flavor. The caramel and malt notes pair excellently with bold cheeses like gorgonzola. Spread black honey on pancakes or waffles for an exotic twist. Swirl it into yogurt, blend it into smoothies, or drizzle it over ice cream.
Some artisanal chocolatiers and pastry chefs are also incorporating the honey into their confections. The slightly smoky nuances enliven chocolate truffles and baked goods with depth. Mix black honey with mustard and vinegar to make an intriguing vinaigrette for savory dishes too.
Due to its bitterness, black honey is often blended with lighter, more mellow honeys to balance the flavor. You can experiment at home by mixing a few tablespoons of black honey into a jar of clover or wildflower honey. This tones down the intensity while still highlighting the black honey’s unique essence.
The Health Benefits of Black Bee Honey
Like other varietal honeys, black bee honey contains antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients that offer health advantages. The dark pigments are full of beneficial flavonoids that act as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents in the body. The honeydew also contains higher levels of essential minerals compared to nectar.
For example, honeydew honeys have more iron, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals strengthen bones, improve blood health, and boost immunity. The robust flavor means you can use less black honey to get the same sweetness, lowering sugar and calorie intake.
When buying black bee honey, look for raw, unfiltered versions to get the most out of the nutrition. Raw honey hasn’t been heat-treated so it retains all the delicate aromas, enzymes, vitamins, and other elements that processing destroys. The crystallization and dark flecks you see in raw black honey are natural and add to the quality.
Sourcing True Black Bee Honey
Seek out black honey from single geographic regions for the most authentic experience. The unique plant life and climate of an area imparts subtle characteristics into the honey. Markets specializing in gourmet and artisanal foods are the best places to find high-quality black honey. You may also be able to find it in specialty grocery stores or order it online.
Due to its scarcity, black bee honey can be expensive, often twice the price of regular honey. Make sure any honey you buy says “black honey” on the label and lists the floral or tree source, like pine, rhododendron, or kamahi. This verifies the darkness comes from honeydew and not artificial coloring.
With its exotic allure and tantalizing flavor, black bee honey provides a rare opportunity to experience one of nature’s most distinctive creations. The next time you’re looking to add intrigue to a recipe, consider using this ultra-dark honey. Let the mystical darkness transport your palate to the ancient forests and valleys where this extraordinary elixir originates.
Dark Honey Bees Come to America
The dark bee of Northern Europe originated in Southern France. From there, they extended into the Northern and Eastern regions of Europe.
Also, called the German Black Bee, their scientific name is Apis mellifera mellifera. These insects have a very dark abdomen and thorax.
But keep in mind that we’re not just talking about the honey bee’s color; we’re also talking about its genes.
Not every dark honey bee is Apis Mellifera mellifera. Colonies with Carniolan honey bee genetics or genes from Russian honey bees tend to be dark also.
The black honey bees journey to America was likely thanks to early colonists. Hives traveled in ships to make the journey to the new country. I can only imagine that this was very stressful to the bee colonies.
Early settlers brought the bees along because they wanted the products that bee colonies provide. Honey and beeswax are valuable resources that have many uses.
Role of Black Bees in Agriculture
There are no native honey bees in the US. But, beehives were established in the area of Virginia as early as 1622.
Colonial beekeepers understood the value of bee pollination of their garden plants. More crops are produced in orchards and vegetable gardens with a beehive nearby.
The traditional bee hive skeps of straw were common in the old country. But as people moved to the New World, hive styles changed to include log hives and different kinds of boxes or “supers” for beekeeping.
The Black Honey Bee did well in the New World finding ample sources of pollen and nectar. Like all healthy colonies, they produced bee swarms forming new feral colonies. For over 200 years, they expanded across the US.
Black honey bees compared to regular honey bees
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