Ge5, Fir Honey from the Black Forest
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The honey
It is typically liquid, dark reddish-brown, sometimes light green in colour, and has a malty to tasty aroma.
Depending on the honeydew producer (Cinara pectinatae, Cinara confinis), it can have a strong resinous taste or be reminiscent of dried fruit (e.g., dates). Fir honey often has a low water content but high enzyme activity and high electrical conductivity (up to 1.4 mS/cm). There is no guarantee that fir honey can be harvested in the relevant areas every year or in large quantities. This depends on the presence of high aphid populations and the neighbouring spruce stand. As a result, high prices can be achieved for this popular honey, which consumers are willing to pay. The beekeeping
Southern Germany has large areas of contiguous forest (almost 3 million hectares). The best known are the Black Forest and Bavarian Forest regions, which consist of approximately 80% coniferous forest. As a result, a lot of honeydew honey is harvested there. One special feature is fir honey, which is marketed in the state of Baden-Württemberg under the regional brand name Black Forest Fir Honey. This honey comes from Zell am Harmersbach in the western Black Forest and was harvested in July 2025 by hobby beekeeper W. Gebhard.
Beekeepers from all over Germany migrate their bee colonies to the aforementioned areas in order to harvest this popular honey. The bee colonies are set up at selected locations in the forest, for which permits are necessary. Fir honey is produced in the summer months of June and July from the honeydew of the silver fir (Abies alba) and may only bear this designation if more than 60 percent of it comes from this honeydew source. |
