What makes mad honey truly special is its rare and limited supply. Found in Nepal and Turkey, it seamlessly blends two rich and one-of-a-kind cultures. Only these two countries can proudly share their dearly hidden treasures with the world.
The mountainous country is renowned for its wild mad honey, harvested at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters, while Turkey produces its mad honey from carefully cherished hives in the Black Sea region, where around 75% of the country’s rhododendron blooms thrive.
With an altitude ranging from 3500 meters and above, cold climate, humidity and soil conditions the concentration of Grayanotoxin in Rhododendron is more as compared to Rhododendron found in other regions. Hence, the nectar collected by the Himalayan Giant Bees produces the most potent Mad Honey in Nepal and is famous around the world for this reason.
Among several Rhododendron Honey regions places like Lamjung, Gokha, Mustang, Dolpa, Jajarkot and Rukum are common areas for harvesting of mad honey in Nepal. The Gurungs, Kulungs, Thakalis, Rais and Lhopas are the indigenous harvester communities known for harvesting honey in these areas. They are the skilled honey hunters of the region who scale the high cliffs known as Himalayan Mad Honey sources.
The traditional honey hunting process of mad honey from the cliff gives a unique selling point to Nepal mad honey rather than commercialized mad honey harvesting in other regions. The sustainable and traditional honey harvesting is adventurous to watch and experience along with tasting the wilderness straight from the hive.
The black sea region of Turkey is also famous around the world for mad honey production on steep and mountainous coastline. The pontic mountains across the southern coast and the Caucasus Mountains along the eastern coast make the environment favorable for Apis Laboriosa. in terms of Climate and Geography, the cold and cool temperature is suitable for the thriving of Apis Dorsata and for the production of Turkish Mad Honey.
The honey harvesting process is completely different in Turkey as compared to Nepal. In Turkey the hives are placed by beekeepers up high in trees so the natural predators like bears and others can't access it easily. While in Nepal the hives are made by Himalayan Giant bees high in the cliffs which can only be harvested by honey hunters as a bounty for their life taking efforts. Also the concentration of Grayanotoxin is less in Turkish Mad Honey as compared to the one harvested in Nepal.
Known as Deli bel, the turkish mad honey has been within a long historical record for production and consumption in the country. Dating back to 401 BC, in the written scriptures of Xenophen of Athens, he mentioned the disoriented, vomiting and diarrhea effects of Black Sea Honey on the Greek army after the consumption. Another history of mad honey accounts between 60-100 BC, when Pompey the Great's army was ambushed by Mithridates VI's forces. He used Mad Honey as a biological weapon against Roman soldiers, the soldiers after ingestion fainted and experienced delirium.
Premium Mad Honey is a rare and natural honey harvested from the mountainous regions of Nepal and Turkey, derived from Rhododendron flowers. It is known for its therapeutic and mild psychoactive properties.
Mad honey is made by honeybees that collect nectar primarily from certain species of rhododendron flowers, which contain grayanotoxins, the compounds responsible for the honey's psychoactive and toxic effects. Here's how the process works:
The buzzing honey is set apart from the rest of the delicacies because of its special features. Discover the quirks of the honey, which has been celebrated and approached with caution for centuries.
Grayanotoxin is one ingredient that comprises the eccentricity of the honey. The rhododendron flowers contribute to the psychedelic effects of honey. It is the only honey known to soothe nerves and alleviate stress, keeping you at ease and peace.
Following an old-age tradition passed down from their ancestors, the Gurung community hunts for honey without any additional tools. As a result, mad honey is 100% pure without any additives
Only spring and autumn is favorable for the collection of authentic honey. Due to its collection only twice a year, plus the intense process, mad honey is rarely available.
Immensely skilled honey-hunting artisans collect the rare honey from the lap of nature. It is an amalgamation of pristine mountains and the essence of the wild. Each drop of mad honey speaks volumes of its origin that is truly innate to nature.
The journey of harvesting honey from hive to jar is an outcome of unwavering dedication. Our fearless honey hunters risk their lives scaling the frightening cliffs with minimal equipment to collect the nectar. The remote location, intense process, and fewer men make the entire honey hunting exciting and alarming.
When a boy takes birth in the Gurung community, he has a close friendship with the red honey and bees. And, when he is barely ten, he goes with his father, grandfather, or uncles to witness the complete adventure of honey hunting. From his early days, he has adopted a strong belief to save his culture, and 'saving his culture' now has become his only way to put bread on the table.
Apis Dorsata Labiorasa or as the locals call it, “The Giant Honeybee”, is the world’s largest honey bee with stings even fiercer. The giant colonies of honeybees guard their mad honey dearly. Hence, a little reckless step towards them, they feel rage. As a result, we all can imagine what happens next - the stingers attack the group of honey hunters with their pricking bites.
When a boy takes birth in the Gurung community, he has a close friendship with the red honey and bees. And, when he is barely ten, he goes with his father, grandfather, or uncles to witness the complete adventure of honey hunting. From his early days, he has adopted a strong belief to save his culture, and 'saving his culture' now has become his only way to put bread on the table.
While any natural honey offers its share of health benefits, mad honey stands apart due to its unique blend of compounds. It’s not just about sweetness—it’s about what lies within. Grayanotoxins I-III, phenolic compounds, glucose, and essential minerals are what make it powerful.
