THE NATURE OF HONEY: Pollen analysis isn't enough

摘要

Bees have the tendency to forage mainly on one nectar source once it has been recognized as attractive and flowers are abundantly available, thus producing monofloral honey. Of course the honey is unlikely to contain 100% nectar of one plant species unless under experimental conditions. Therefor the market needs a definition when a honey can be called monofloral. Monofloral honey almost entirely from one floral source is of higher commercial value than a polyfloral honey in the U.S. as well as in Europe. For correct labeling a monofloral honey must be proven to originate wholly or mainly from the indicated source and possesses organoleptic, physico-chemical and microscopic characteristics of the source12'3. Therefore it is necessary to define clearcriteria for the required characteristics in order to harmonize quality control of importers, packers and officially authorized EU inspection bodies - approx. 50% are imported from third countries into the EU.