Kočevjeforest honey DOP

Kočevje forest honey with a protected designation of origin is produced in the wider area of Kočevje, which belongs to the pre-Dinaric and Dinaric areas.

The Kočevje forest landscape has exceptional qualities of preserved nature, which is why we rank it among the most preserved areas in Europe. Kočevska, together with the Kolpa Valley, is defined as a protected area in the network of European nature conservation areas within the Natura 2000 project.

BEE PASTURE

The area of bee pasture is distinctly forested, the central part of the area measures 800 km2 and is 95% overgrown with forest trees. The vegetation of forest slopes is also contributed to the floristic diversity by extensive agriculture, where livestock farming on grasslands predominates.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF HONEY CONSUMPTION

Honey is the most authentic natural sweetener. It is a food that is preserved even for a century without any additional substances or preservatives, it is a natural crop produced by bees from flower nectar or manna.

In honey, flavonoids are of great importance for health, as they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and inhibit the formation of blood clots. Antioxidants are removers of harmful free radicals, prevent the oxidation of harmful cholesterol and thus reduce clogging of blood vessels. Minerals and other substances in honey have an effect against fatigue, anemia, pain and muscle cramps, and protect the liver. During pregnancy, they help with the normal development of the fetus and reduce the frequency of vomiting.

KOČEV FOREST HONEY PRODUCTION AREA

Obmowhere Kočevski gozdni med is produced with a protected designation of origin obtained by products of the highest quality at the EU level, it is produced between the rivers Krka and Kolpa on approximately 1,500 km2. The area includes the entire municipalities of Kočevje, Osilnica, Loški Potok, Sodražica and Ribnica and partly the municipalities of Črnomelj, Semino, Dolenjske Toplice, Žužemberk, Velike Lašče and Dobrepolje.

In the northwest, the border runs along the border of the municipality of Loški Potok, at the foot of Racna gora and in the north it continues past Lužarji, Krvava peč, Rob and along the Rašče valley it turns towards Ponikve, then southwest at the foot of Rog and Poljanska gora to the river Kolpa. In the southwest and south, the border of the area runs parallel to the state border of the Republic of Croatia; along the river Čabranki and Kolpi.

GUARANTEED QUALITY OF KOČEV FOREST HONEY

 Beekeepers gatherWe guarantee the quality and origin of the woman in the group of producers of Kočevje forest honey in the area of the wider Kočevje region. Traceability and control is ensured in the entire process of obtaining honey and its filling. A comprehensive system of internal control is in place, which includes regular periodic reviews by an external independent auditor.

In 2000, the Society for the Protection of the Geographical Origin of Kočevje Honey was founded, later renamed the Kočevje Honey Association, which today brings together the best beekeepers from this area. In 2012, a group of producers was registered. Only members of the producer group can market honey under the Kočevski gozdni med brand with a protected designation of origin. No.ebelar, who wants to sell its honey as Kočevski gozdni med with a protected designation of origin, guarantees the health integrity of honey in accordance with existing legislation. Field control is multi-level and, in addition to beekeepers, it is also carried out by the Kočevski med Association, inspectors ČSlovenian Beekeepers' Association with a license for conformity inspection beekeeping and ultimately the independent verification body Bureau Veritas d.o.o.

Kočevje forest honey, the basic types of which are forest, spruce, walking and linden honey, is the first Slovenian honey with the European registration of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin).

TYPES OF KOČEV FOREST HONEY

 FOREST HONEY it is of mixed mineral origin and contains many minerals. It is usually dominated by manna from spruce (Picea abies) or walking (Albies alba). Carriers of honey are capers (Lecanium hemicriphum) on young coniferous shoots, which remain present throughout the year and the medium in warm and sultry weather. Honey usually gets a reddish color because of them. Honey can also be caused by honey, when honey is blacker. An excellent medium is also Maple (Acer sp.), Especially the widespread mountain maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), sharp-leaved maple (Acer platanoides) and field maple or maple (Acer campestre). Manna on the maple (Acer obtusatum) is also an important source of honey.

SPRUCE HONEY it is in a liquid state of reddish-brown and rather dense. It tastes like resin. It is seldom cultivated, most often mixed with me deciduous and partly with floral. Spruce honey has a beneficial effect against coughs, bronchitis and various lung diseases. It contains many minerals and terpenes that soften mucus in respiratory diseases.

WHITE FIR HONEY

Honey if white fir or common fir (Albies alba) begins in April and May with honey on a small white caper (Physokermes hemycrypus) and later on big white fir ears (Mindarus abietinus).

For beekeepers, honeydew is most important in July and August. The carriers of honey are the large brown white fir louse (Todalachnusabieticola) and the green white fir louse (Cinara pecrinatae).

Manina grazing on the fir tree occurs every year, but this honeydew in bad years strongly depends on the location of the fir stands. Honeymoon is strongly influenced by air currents and night temperatures. A temperature drop below 13 degrees Celsius, or even 10 degrees Celsius, is not best suited for honeymoon walking. At low night temperatures, more melicitosis forms in the manna, causing early crystallization of the honey.

LIPOV MED

Linden (Tilia platyphyllos) and linden (Tilia cordata) are species that offer bees nectar or manna pasture. The linden tree blooms in June, the linden tree follows two weeks later. Grazing on linden is often accompanied by previous honey on conifers (spruce, walking) and other deciduous trees (maple, oak…) or undergrowth.

Because linden does not produce much nectar, honey is usually a mixture with forest honey, but linden has a dominant odor and aroma. Such honeys are labeled linden of manine origin or as forest honey with linden flavor, which is a special feature of Kočevje forest honey-linden. Because honey on the linden is quite unpredictable, beekeepers make sure to always drain the hive before the linden blossoms (around June 15) and after the honey (July 10).

Kočevski gozdni med-lipa is characterized by a higher electrical conductivity than linden honeys from other geographical areas.