Thyme
Thyme (Thymus) is an aromatic plant of the mint family, with various species growing in the Mediterranean countries.
Thyme (Thymus) is an aromatic plant of the mint family, with various species growing in the Mediterranean countries. Bees take its nectar and make thyme honey from it. In Italy it comes mainly from Thymus capitatus, in Greece from a variety of Thymus species and other labiates, in Spain and France mainly from Thymus vulgaris.
According to the Italian description the honey is medium to dark, with a medium to strong aroma: woody, chemical, fresh and floral. Thyme pollen is under-represented in it: in Italian samples about 27 % on average, in Greek ones about 40 %.
Why this matters to you: thyme honey depends on the country, because the plants differ; Spanish protected names such as Miel de Granada and Miel de Málaga require at least 15 % thyme pollen.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Thymus spp. (Italy: Thymus capitatus; Spain, France: Thymus vulgaris) |
|---|---|
| Region | Mediterranean: Italy, Greece, Spain, France |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Thyme → kind of → Honey plants → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Honey plants
- Which honey it gives
- Thyme honey
Frequently asked questions
Which thyme gives the honey?
In Italy mainly Thymus capitatus, in Greece various Thymus species and other labiates, in Spain and France Thymus vulgaris.
Is it true that thyme honey is the same everywhere?
No. The plants differ, so the characteristics differ; the data described come mostly from Italy and Greece.
How much thyme pollen is in the honey?
About 27 % on average in Italian samples and about 40 % in Greek ones.
What does thyme honey taste like?
According to the Italian description it is medium to dark, with a medium to strong woody, chemical, fresh and floral aroma.
How much thyme pollen do Spanish protected honeys require?
Miel de Granada and Miel de Málaga require at least 15 % thyme pollen for thyme honey.
Similar
Black locust · Rapeseed · Sweet chestnut · Heather (ling) · Lavender · Rosemary
Sources
- Persano Oddo L., Piro R. (2004) Main European unifloral honeys: descriptive sheets. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1)
- Single document Miel de Granada PDO (amendment), OJ C/2025/4996 (EUR-Lex)
- Single document Miel de Málaga PDO, OJ C/2025/5297 (EUR-Lex)