Bulgarian honey has exceptional taste and unique medicinal properties. The mild climate of the country creates favorable conditions for the development of this area. The abundance of honey-bearing herbs, as well as the almost complete absence of heavy industry, contributes to the collection of environmentally friendly honey. A large amount of honey is produced for export, and Bulgarian beekeeping products are always present at international exhibitions along with rose oil, wine and yogurt. On average, the country produces (for export) 5-6 tons of honey per year, mainly for the European Union, 5 € liter.
There is an opinion that Bulgarian honey is not sold in its pure form in the EU, but is added as a flavor enhancer for honey products from other countries. In Bulgaria there is an association of beekeepers, the coordinator of which is Daniela Sybeva. According to the results of the association’s marketing research, Bulgarians themselves consume much less honey compared to other EU countries. While the main consumer of honey is Germany, as a result of which the EU provides funds for the development of this industry.
Traveling around Bulgaria, you may notice a large number of beehives installed in the fields. Most of the population here is engaged in honey production, both professionals and amateurs. In connection with this, there is even theft of bees and chipping of hives. Throughout the year, honey of various types is sold in markets at prices that are not quite high, at 5-12 lev per jar, depending on the size. During the warm season, Bulgarians sell honey right on the highway, along tourist routes. Such honey can stand on the counter under the sun for several days, or even weeks, and therefore some of its medicinal properties may be lost. Sellers move along the road and are unlikely to be found if the honey is diluted or spoiled. Also the price of honey in such conditions may increase in proportion to the cost of your car.
A more proven option is honey sellers at bazaars in small towns. On market day, they occupy the same place so that regular customers can return to them next time. You can also almost always find other beekeeping products on the shelves, such as propolis, wax, pollen and even bee venom. Bulgarian traders are happy to let you taste honey before buying. If you like honey, then be sure to make sure that you buy the jar from which you tried it.
In big cities, honey fairs are periodically organized, one of them takes place annually in Sofia on the square near the Mineral Bath. In the city of Nessebar on the Black Sea coast, the International Honey Festival is held, and there is also a beekeeping museum (visiting is free). Once upon a time Nessebar, as a port city, was the center of trade in honey and wax with Arab countries.
You can also buy honey in any Bulgarian supermarket, but there is less choice there, and for some reason the taste is worse, perhaps due to preservatives that increase shelf life. It is noteworthy that unscrupulous sellers can sell jam, syrup or even preserves under the guise of honey. When a substitution is discovered, local residents immediately refuse to understand any language, expressing the idea that the buyer is to blame I didn't look at it myself. Be careful.
It should be noted that Bulgaria produces one of the unusual varieties of honey, “Manov honey.” This type of honey is extracted by bees from the juice formed on the bark and leaves of alpine trees. Over time, such honey changes its color from almost transparent to black. This variety is less common on sale, as a result of which it usually costs more.
In conclusion, it would not be amiss to list the most commonly found types of honey on sale and give them a translation:
- Acacia honey - honey from acacia.
- Linden honey - from linden flowers.
- Sunflower honey - from sunflower.
- Bilkov honey - from forbs.
- Hog honey - pine honey (sometimes the manufacturer adds a pine cone to the jar).
- Mentov honey - mint.
- Lavandula honey - from lavender.
- Honey from magareshka bodil - honey from thistle.
- Mascherka honey - thyme.
- Honey from wood grouse - dandelion.
- Honey from detelin - from clover.
- Honey from kesten - chestnut.
- Rapitz honey - rapeseed.