Istarski med / Istrski med
Also known as: Istrian honey
Honey with a protected designation of origin (PDO) from Istria, a shared name of Croatia and Slovenia, in seven types: black locust, sage, chestnut, blossom, honeydew, winter savory and linden.
Istarski med / Istrski med is a honey with a protected designation of origin (PDO) from Istria. It is a shared name of two countries: in Croatia it covers Istria County, the Opatija area and the islands of Cres and Lošinj, in Slovenia Slovenian Istria. Apis mellifera bees make it from the nectar and honeydew of the local flora.
The name covers seven types: black locust, sage, chestnut, blossom, deciduous honeydew, winter savory (Satureja montana) and linden. Common requirements: water at most 18.6 %, diastase at least 10 on the Schade scale (at least 3 for black locust) and HMF at most 15 mg/kg. Pollen minimums: sage 15 %, chestnut 85 %, winter savory 20 %, linden 25 %. Black locust honey does not crystallise; chestnut honey is reddish-brown and very bitter.
Istria lies where Mediterranean and continental climates meet, so sage pastures grow alongside the chestnut stands on the slopes of Učka. The whole process, including packing, takes place inside the area.
Why this matters to you: the pack shows the name in the largest letters, a numbered stamp and a common symbol; the type decides the taste.
Facts
| Registered | PDO; Impl. Reg. (EU) 2024/1869 |
|---|---|
| Region | Istria: Croatia (Istria County, Opatija, Cres, Lošinj) and Slovenia (Koper, Izola, Piran, Ankaran) |
| Raw material | Black locust, sage, chestnut, mixed flowers, honeydew, winter savory, linden |
| Legal basis | Single document OJ C/2024/2110; Impl. Reg. (EU) 2024/1869 |
| Taste | Seven types; locust does not crystallise; chestnut bitter |
| Sweetness | Water ≤18.6 %; diastase ≥10 (locust ≥3); HMF ≤15 mg/kg |
| Botanical origin | Robinia pseudoacacia, Salvia, Castanea sativa, Satureja montana, Tilia, Quercus |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Istarski med / Istrski med → kind of → Polyfloral honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Protected honey names, Polyfloral honey
- Similar and different
- Sage honey
- Which plants it comes from
- Common sage
Frequently asked questions
Is it a PDO or a PGI?
It is a PDO (protected designation of origin), entered in the EU register in 2022.
Where is Istarski med / Istrski med produced?
In Istria: Istria County, Opatija, Lovran, Mošćenička Draga, Matulji and the islands of Cres and Lošinj in Croatia, plus Slovenian Istria (Koper, Izola, Piran, Ankaran).
Why does the name have two forms?
It is a shared name of Croatia (Istarski med) and Slovenia (Istrski med); both forms are protected.
Which types does the name cover?
Black locust, sage, chestnut, blossom, deciduous honeydew, winter savory and linden.
Is it true that acacia honey always crystallises?
No. Istrian black locust honey does not crystallise at all.
What to read next
- Common sage — Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a small aromatic shrub whose flowers give bees nectar on the dry Adriatic coast.
- Sage honey — Sage honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of common sage (Salvia officinalis), amber, with a herbal aroma and a light bitterness.
Similar
Dalmatinski med · Miel de Ibiza · Miel de La Alcarria · Slavonski med · Miele della Lunigiana · Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi
ℹ️ Honey is mostly sugars: about 82 g per 100 g. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old because of the risk of infant botulism.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: Istarski med / Istrski med (PDO)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1869 (registration of Istarski med / Istrski med)
- Single document Istarski med / Istrski med, OJ C/2024/2110, 11.3.2024