Sainfoin honey: properties of a rare and delicate honey

3Bee is the Nature Tech company that develops technologies for the protection of biodiversity. 3Bee Hive-Tech is 3Bee's first system for analysing the health and 'starvation' status of honeybees, environmental protectors par excellence. Over time, we have developed other technologies to study and monitor all the pollinating insects and created more than 200 Oases of Biodiversity with thousands of nectariferous plants to provide them with nourishment. In this way, we want to create a virtuous circle: our beekeepers are transformed by necessity into Oasis growers and promoters of environmental biodiversity. We do not encourage massive production and intensive breeding, which have a negative impact on biodiversity and pollinators. We do, however, recognise the value of honey as a valuable symbol of the biodiversity of an environment and a tool for disseminating the commitment and protection of an area, to be consumed sparingly and with respect for the life cycle of these insects.

The Lupinella or Onobrychis viciifolia is a perennial herbaceous plant with a pinkish corolla. It is often found in meadows and mountain pastures and flowers from May to August. The special feature of this plant are the flowers, grouped in long panicle-shaped blooms, which are a very intense pink. You are fascinated by the sight of them, a bit like bees by their nectar and pollen, from which they produce a delicate Sainfoin honey belonging to the rare and valuable honey family.

The largest production of Sainfoil honey is in Abruzzo, where it is easiest to find this very rare, light-coloured honey with a very light odour and an equally delicate flavour with a slight fruity note. Like many other honeys, sainfoin honey also has important properties. If taken regularly, it can help alleviate liver ailments and detoxify the liver. Last but not least, this honey has sedative, emollient and antiseptic properties.

Sainfoin honey is a rarity and a true symbol of biodiversity. Several beekeepers have their bees and hives located in areas where the sainfoin plant is present. On the Adopt a Beehive there are other types of rare honey and among them, when production permits, also sainfoin honey. All these local beekeepers take care of their bees, with the help of technology, which allows them to monitor the bees' wellbeing and intervene when needed. Not surprisingly, beekeepers are also called modern heroes. Explore all the honeys, try them out and protect millions of bees at the same time.

The odour of sainfoin honey is delicate and floral, with hints of wildflower honey and a slightly fruity note. The consistency is fluid and the colour varies from golden to light brown, depending on origin and harvest time. The taste of sainfoin honey is characterised by a delicate balance of sweetness and slight acidity, with a slightly herbaceous note. Due to its delicacy, this honey goes well with most foods, from strawberries to fresh cheeses to fish and white meat dishes. In addition, sainfoin honey is also valued for its health benefits, due to the presence of antioxidant and antibacterial substances that can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and strengthen the immune system.

The information contained in this blog concerns the importance of honey as the fruit of the tireless work of bees that transform the collected nectar (including extra-floral nectar and honeydew) into a precious food product that encompasses the biodiversity with all the countless facets present in the hive's surroundings. At an environmental level, honey is the symbol of the pollination activity of the bee, which flies from flower to flower to collect the nectar and, in so doing, transports its pollen, becoming the vector for the pollination and reproduction of tens of thousands of plant species. Honey is still a little-known product, often devalued in its quality or sold as a panacea for all ills. Like all foods, however, it must be consumed with moderation and care as it contains a high content of simple sugars. But it is not in its basic values that its most important quality lies.

The aim of this blog is to promote and disseminate a deeper understanding of the crucial role of bees in safeguarding our ecosystem and for the continuation of scientific research directed towards the identification of more sustainable agricultural practices aiming at the regeneration of entire areas. The choice of honey goes far beyond what is written on the label. The true value of honey is linked to its method of production, whether it is respectful of bees and the ecosystems they inhabit. Favouring non-intensive beekeeping practices and promoting the best actions to support the health of the hive are the cornerstones of our activity. The beekeeper for us is not a breeder, but a true 'Grower': he cultivates, cares for and nurtures true oases of biodiversity, paying attention not only to bees, but also to ecosystems and their balance.