Vanilla Fir is a rare honey - and quite different to other honeys, as I explain below. And organic Vanilla Fir is even rarer. The tree is found only in Greece. So when Asterios (our main Greek beekeeper) mentioned a colleague called Vasilis, who has hives on Mount Erymathos, my eyes lit up. The area is a Natura 2000 protected area because of its vital importance for wildlife. It's a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. So it is a fabulous place for wildlife and bees. There are no roads or villages in the protected area, which is an indication of how wild the place is. Vasilis' bees roam at 1,000 metres plus on this mountain, where they collect the sap from the Black Mountain Fir tree to create the Vanilla Fir. Vasilis' is a dedicated organic beekeeper, whose honey has won many awards. What makes Vanilla Fir special? It has a much lower level of sugars than other honeys, being particularly low in glucose meaning it usually never crystallises, unless the bees have also been to another plant whose nectar is high in glucose. Vanilla Fir only comes from the Peleponnese in Greece. It isn't produced every year - often there is little, or none is available. This honey is exceptionally low in moisture - just over 14%. This is a honey that is very rare and very highly valued. Stock is normally quickly snapped up. The Black Mountain Fir tree (Abies Cephalonica) grows mainly in the Peloponnese in Greece. I have had the honey analysed (and that's all good, no heating and it has all the key characteristics of a Vanilla Fir). 100% RAW, COLD PRESSED, UNPASTEURISED No heat used and only put through a coarse filter to take out bits of hive debris - leaving all the good bits in. Pollen, propolis fragments, bits of beeswax Peloponnese and often royal jelly. INGREDIENTS HoneyTRACEABLE TO SOURCE. Each jar can be traced back to the group of hives it came from. NATURALLY CRYSTALLISES OVER TIME: If yours has crystalised and you prefer it runny, place it on a radiator and drape a tea towel over it. Leave it overnight. The heat will not damage the honey, the important thing is that you don't heat the honey beyond 40 degrees (the hive can get this hot in Summer). If the radiators are very hot then a thin book under the jars to shield them from direct heat. It can take up to two days to fully liquify. TOTALLY RAW HONEY: Not heated, only put through a coarse filter (to take out bits of hive debris), all the good bits still in the honey - propolis, pollen, sometimes royal jelly. NO SUGAR FEEDING - the bees are left with enough honey to meet their needs. SUPERFOOD HEALTH BENEFITS: Antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fir tree honey is known as a honeydew, because it is from the sap and resin of the tree not from flower nectar. High in oligosaccharides, which are known for their prebiotic qualities- aiding digestion. Potent for restoring the body’s adaptive and immune response systems. Higher quantity of precious minerals and metals (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron). COLOUR: When runny, the colour of this honey is quite light, with shades of pearl or caramel. FLAVOUR: Vanilla fir is a thick, earthy, creamy, buttery honeydew that has a flavour with hints of vanilla and caramel. Naturally sweet. It also has a much lower level of sugars than other honeys, being particularly low in glucose meaning it usually never crystallises. ORIGIN: This is rare and quite different to other honey which comes from Greek beekeeper Vasilis, who has hives on Mount Erymathos forest in the Peloponnese in Greece (a Natura 2000 protected area because of its vital importance for wild life). It is the only Greek monoculture honey with a Protected Designation of Origin. Vasilis' bees roam at 1,000 metres plus on this mountain, collecting the sap from the Black Mountain Fir tree to create the Vanilla Fir.