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OJ C, 9.1.2024

EN

Beekeeping has always been a common activity in the Belluno mountains, even a very long time ago, when, with the use of rough skeps, honey harvesting demanded great skill on the part of producers in order to avoid destroying the whole colony of bees.
Even in more difficult times, beekeeping remained widely practised in the territory, with the predominant use of primitive hives. The innovative introduction of the Dadant hive facilitated honey production, but even now in the Belluno mountains beekeeping remains very much a cottage industry, demanding specific skills in positioning and regulating the hives, safeguarding and developing colonies, the means of harvesting and the choice of the period in order to differentiate between honey types of different floral sources, as well as storage techniques.
At present, most beekeepers operate in the Belluno and Feltrina valleys, in addition to which there are numerous high altitude producers making honey which is particularly appreciated, such as rhododendron honey.
The monofloral honey types reflect the species of the area, which are considered to be among the best from a beekeeping standpoint in terms of pollen and nectar production, such as acacia/false acacia, rhododendron, dandelion, lime and chestnut, most of which only exist in mountain territories and for this reason make the Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi appreciated. The Wildflower variety is produced using a wide variety of Alpine species, selected by the bees from among the more than 2 200 which characterise the Belluno mountains.
In addition to its floral wealth, the quality of Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi is based on other fundamental factors, like its purity, wholesomeness and lengthy shelf life, which is also attested to by its low HMF content. These factors are attributable to the geographical area and the know-how of local producers.
The Alpine mountain environment, characterised by low temperatures, high rainfall and dolomitic soil which allow for the growth of a diverse range of alpine flora, comprising trees and grasses of great interest from a beekeeping standpoint, make the Belluno region an ideal area to produce honey of value from plant species which are only or predominantly present in an Alpine, mountain environment.
The low temperatures throughout the year, much lower than the regional or national averages, also have a positive influence on the quality of the honey and its shelf life, since they prevent any anomalous fermentation and make it possible to retain the organoleptic qualities of the product and its ingredients for longer.
Limited human pressure in terms of inhabitants, industry and transport routes, the typical state of isolation of the mountain area and, above all, the skill of the producers in carrying out what very much remains a craft give rise to a purer, more wholesome product than would be the case in lowland areas.
Beekeeping, which has always been widespread in the Belluno area, in addition to supplementing the income of its inhabitants, historically provided a reserve of energy to be used as food over the months of winter isolation and a sweetener for culinary purposes in the preparation of various traditional local recipes. Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi has been marketed under the name for over 35 years and, under the name, it has been entered in numerous local agricultural fairs and events in the mountains since the 1980s, as is demonstrated by the many diplomas, photos of producers at beekeeping gatherings and press articles from the 1980s. Photos from the same period attest to the reputation of the name Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi under various brands and labels. Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi has always been used in a great many typical dishes, as an ingredient in characteristic Cadore and Ampezzo desserts and bread, as well as in the typical honey liqueur and as an accompaniment to local cheeses. The product is now much sought after by consumers, particularly tourists, who recognised the peculiarities which set it apart and buy it during their holidays to eat it all year round, taking it back with them to all the other regions of Italy.
Reference to publication of the product specification https www.politicheagricole.it/flex/files/1/3/e/D.77c39e9f90679ca651d4/disciplinare__Miele_delle_Dolomiti_
Bellunesi_06.23.pdf
ELI: http data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/779/oj
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