Stregonia honey: properties and benefits of a rare 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 pests 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 Stregonia is found in central and southern Italy, between 1,500 and 1,900 metres above sea level. This plant flowers between May and July and can give unifloral honey, especially in Abruzzo. It takes the form of a white woolly shrub and flowers with a yellow corolla. Its botanical name is sideritis syraca, a little-known plant but characterised by many properties, particularly analgesic and antibacterial. Many infusions and teas are also made with this plant, in addition to tasting some special Stregonia honey.

The Stregonia honey, which belongs to the rare honeys, has a very light colour and an equally delicate aroma. Its aroma is very fine and has floral and spicy notes. A rare honey perfect for the most delicate and sophisticated palates. Production is limited and it is not possible to produce this honey every year. The main reason is the growing condition of the plant. In fact, Stregonia tends to grow on steep and craggy terrain, and it is not easy for beekeepers to position their hives near them.

Among the properties of Stregonia honey, we can say that it has several, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. In fact, it is very suitable for all those people who suffer from anxiety or high-stress states, thanks to the presence of flavonoid antioxidants. Not only that, it also has an antibacterial and analgesic action, able to ward off and keep viruses and bacteria at bay. On the platform of"Adopt a Beehive" several beekeepers, who, thanks to their bees, protected by the 3Bee technology, produce Stregonia honey.

Have you ever wondered about the odour and colour of Stregonia honey? How to recognise it and distinguish it from other types of honey? According to experts, when examining this honey, by means of olfactory examination, one must have a good ability to perceive odours, as the odour of Witchcraft honey is quite faint, but one can recognise it by its very floral scent. But if you cannot recognise it by its smell, it is easily recognisable by its appearance and colour. In fact, Stregonia honey has a very light colour and is a honey that does not crystallise very quickly. If you haven't tasted it yet, now is the time to do so!

The information contained in this blog concerns the importance of honey as the fruit of the tireless work of bees that transforms 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 the 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.

We want to promote and spread a deeper knowledge about the crucial role of bees for the preservation of 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.