Mel dos Açores

Mel dos Açores is a Portuguese nectar honey with an EU protected designation of origin (PDO) from the Azores archipelago. It is sold in two kinds: pittosporum honey (mel de incenso), from the nectar of Pittosporum undulatum, and multifloral honey.

Pittosporum blooms from February to April, and its pollen must exceed 30 % of the honey. The colour is very pale, sometimes almost colourless, to light amber, up to 50 mm Pfund; the smell is delicate and fragrant, the taste very sweet with a characteristic flavour. Multifloral honey ranges from light to dark amber, up to 114 mm Pfund, with a rich, fragrant taste from eucalyptus, pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), acacia, clover, chestnut and bramble. Water is at most 18 %, sucrose up to 10 % (pittosporum up to 15 %) and diastase activity at least 3.

The archipelago has a temperate oceanic climate with small temperature swings and high humidity, and soils rich in organic matter and potassium. After harvest enough honey must stay in the hive. Feeding is a one-off syrup, never while supers are on. The honey is sold only packed, with no sign of heating or fermentation.

Why this matters to you: the pack must read "MEL DOS AÇORES – DOP", name the type (pittosporum or multifloral) and carry the inspection body's mark; no other hint about the kind is allowed.