Miel de Provence
Also known as: Provence honey, Miel de Provence PGI
Miel de Provence is honey with an EU protected geographical indication (PGI): lavender, rosemary and other single- and multi-flower honeys from the wild flora of Provence.
Miel de Provence is a French honey with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), registered in the EU in 2005. The name covers single-flower and multi-flower honeys, including honeydew honey, made from the wild flora of Provence or from crops specific to the region.
The area is the six departments of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (with listed exceptions for high mountain cantons and communes), plus the Drôme provençale and the eastern part of Gard. Rape, sunflower, lucerne and any crop not specific to the region are excluded.
Single-flower honeys taste of the dominant flower; multi-flower honeys have a floral, plant or fruity aroma. The reputation rests on lavender, rosemary and multi-flower honeys. Flowering starts early, with rosemary from February or March, and heather blooms in September or October; beekeepers traditionally move their hives. See Monofloral honey and Blossom and honeydew honey.
Origin is proved by hives located in the area during the nectar or honeydew flows, plus pollen analysis. Extraction, packaging and storage may take place outside the area. The label reads "Miel de Provence", optionally with the floral origin.
Why this matters to you: the PGI tells you where the hives stood, and the origin is checked by pollen analysis.
Facts
| Registered | PGI, 2005 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1854/2005); eAmbrosia PGI-FR-9181 |
|---|---|
| Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (six departments), Drôme provençale, eastern Gard |
| Raw material | Single-flower and multi-flower honey, incl. honeydew, from Provence's wild flora or specific crops |
| Legal basis | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1854/2005 |
| Taste | Single-flower: taste of the dominant flower; multi-flower: floral, plant or fruity aroma |
| Season | Rosemary: February–March; heather: September–October |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Miel de Provence → kind of → Monofloral honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Protected honey names, Monofloral honey
- Similar and different
- Lavender honey, Thyme honey
- In other topics
- 📍 Provence
Frequently asked questions
What is Miel de Provence?
A French honey with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI, 2005), made from the wild flora of Provence or from crops specific to the region.
Where is Miel de Provence produced?
In the six departments of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (with high-mountain exceptions), the Drôme provençale and eastern Gard.
Which honeys can be Miel de Provence?
Single-flower and multi-flower honeys, including honeydew. Lavender, rosemary and multi-flower honeys built its reputation. Rape, sunflower and lucerne are excluded.
Is it true that Miel de Provence must be extracted and jarred in Provence?
No. The hives must be in the area during the flows, but extraction, packaging and storage may take place outside it.
How is the origin of Miel de Provence checked?
By the location of the hives in the area during the nectar or honeydew flows, plus pollen analysis.
What to read next
- Lavender honey — Monofloral honey from lavender nectar: light, with a medium woody and floral aroma; EU law allows up to 15 g sucrose per 100 g.
- Thyme honey — Thyme honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of thyme (genus Thymus), typical of the Mediterranean, with a woody, fresh aroma.
Similar
Ağrı Geven Balı · Elazığ Geven Balı · Meli Kissouri · Banski kestenov med · Zagorski bagremov med · Miele Varesino
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: Miel de Provence (EUGI00000013496)
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1854/2005 (OJ L 297, 15.11.2005), Miel de Provence
- Application for registration of Miel de Provence, OJ C 261, 30.10.2003 (EUR-Lex)