Miód wrzosowy z Borów Dolnośląskich

Miód wrzosowy z Borów Dolnośląskich is heather honey with an EU protected geographical indication (PGI) from the Lower Silesian Wilderness in western Poland, between Zgorzelec, Bolesławiec, Chojnów, Szprotawa, Żagań and Żary. Heather pollen must make up at least 50 %.

Before crystallisation the honey is amber to reddish brown, afterwards yellow-orange to brown. It is thick and gel-like (thixotropic) and sets in medium-sized grains. The aroma is strong and heathery, the taste faintly sweet, sharp and bitterish. Water is up to 22 %, glucose plus fructose at least 60 g/100 g, sucrose up to 4 g, HMF up to 40 mg/kg, proline at least 30 mg/100 g and diastase at least 8.

Bees collect it while heather flowers, from late August into September, after honey from other sources has been removed. Filtering, creaming, pasteurising and artificial warming are banned, and the honey never exceeds 45 °C. A 1958 survey found the highest heather pollen share here, 59–98 %.

Why this matters to you: this is a single-source honey with a clear pollen test, so check the label for the name and for origin in the Lower Silesian Wilderness.