Sweet chestnut
Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a tree that is one of the best sources of both nectar and pollen for bees.
Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a tree that is one of the best sources of both nectar and pollen for bees. It grows in many European countries, mostly Central and Southern ones, between 500 and 1000 m above sea level, wild or cultivated for nuts and wood. Chestnut honey is dark with a reddish tone, a strong woody aroma and pronounced bitterness.
Chestnut can also yield honeydew from insects, so the honey may be mixed. In Croatia's Banovina region chestnut flowers from about 5 June to 27 July depending on the site. Pure chestnut honey stays liquid for a long time because it is high in fructose and low in glucose.
Why this matters to you: under European rules chestnut honey must have an electrical conductivity above 0.8 mS/cm, so it is always darker and heavier than blossom honey.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Castanea sativa |
|---|---|
| Season | In Croatia (Banovina) about 5 June - 27 July |
| Region | Central and Southern Europe, 500-1000 m above sea level |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Sweet chestnut → kind of → Honey plants → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Honey plants
- Which honey it gives
- Chestnut honey
Frequently asked questions
What do bees take from sweet chestnut?
Nectar and pollen, sometimes honeydew from insects too. It is one of the best sources for bees.
Is it true that chestnut honey is made only from nectar?
No. Chestnut can also give honeydew from insects, so the honey may be mixed.
When does chestnut bloom?
In Croatia's Banovina region about 5 June to 27 July, depending on the site.
Where does sweet chestnut grow?
In many European countries, mostly Central and Southern ones, between 500 and 1000 m above sea level, wild or cultivated for nuts and wood.
Why does chestnut honey stay liquid for a long time?
Pure chestnut honey is high in fructose and low in glucose, so it crystallises slowly.
Similar
Black locust · Rapeseed · Heather (ling) · Lavender · Rosemary · Thyme
Sources
- Persano Oddo L., Piro R. (2004) Main European unifloral honeys: descriptive sheets. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1)
- Single document Banski kestenov med PDO-HR-03402, OJ C/2026/3202 (EUR-Lex)
- Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey (consolidated, EUR-Lex)