Honey Producers in Lebanon: Mountain, Flower, and Pine Honey

Lebanese beekeepers produce a wide range of honeys depending on where the hives are placed. Spring honeys are floral, summer honeys can be from oak forest or pine, autumn honeys from late wild flowers. Most producers sell in 500 g or 1 kg glass jars.

Common types

• Wild flower (zhar): the most common — light, sweet, multi-floral.
• Mountain (jabaly): from high-altitude hives, denser and aromatic.
• Citrus blossom: spring honey from coastal orange groves.
• Pine honeydew: dark, malty, lower in glucose — for diabetics in moderation.
• Thyme honey: aromatic, medicinal, used for sore throats.

Quality signals

• Crystallisation is normal — it indicates real honey, not a defect.
• Taste should match the floral origin — no caramel or burnt sugar notes.
• Pollen content is detectable in real honey (microscope test if needed).
• Adulterated honey often has rice or glucose syrup; very cheap honey is suspect.

Buying directly

• Ask the beekeeper where the hives were placed for this batch.
• Ask the harvest date — same year is best.
• Annual sales after the August harvest give the best stock.
• Store in dark glass at room temperature — honey doesn't spoil.