Tenerife honey's sweet success - 27.08.2010

TENERIFE Rural Federation’s recent Honey Tour to Teide National Park was so successful that similar walking excursions are in the pipeline.

The “Bee’s Eye View of Teide”, which attracted 40 people, was staged in association with the Teide National Park and Tenerife’s Casa de la Miel (Honey Centre in El Sauzal), run by the Cabildo.

 

 

The walkers, accompanied by beekeepers from the Casa de la Miel, were taken on a tour of the history of the flora and scenery linked to honey production.

 

 

They also got to know the hives, which produce a variety of honey that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

 

 

The hikers took the route called Volcán de Fasnia, which leads to the observatory at Izaña, and descended to the National Park’s Visitors Centro Centre to see the red Tajinastes in bloom.

 

 

Honey made from Teide Broom is produced in late spring and early summer, and the hives are up in the mountains, over 1,500 metres above sea level, a habitat which is unique in the world.

 

 

Tenerife honey is a very light amber colour with slightly golden shades. It takes a long time to crystalise and has a delicate plant scent..

 

 

José Joaquín Bethencourt, Island Councillor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, said: “The tour is very interesting. You learn all about the intensive work the Island’s beekeepers have been doing for centuries, which has resulted in local honey varieties that boast extraordinary quality.”

 

 

Tenerife Rural Federation is funded by the Cabildo.