LITHUANIA | Li1, Spring Blossom | Li2, Summer polyfloral | Li3, Rapeseed | Li4, Linden | Li5, Buckwheat | Li6, Sosnowsky’s hogweed | Li7, Forest, European dark bee | Li8, Multifloral Hollow tree beekeeping | Li9, Vilnius city honeydew |
Li5, Buckwheat Honey
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The honey
The exact dates of when buckwheat honey production in Lithuania began are not known, although the crop itself has been grown since the 18th century. While in many other European countries buckwheat production declined over time and is only now seeing a resurgence, it remained a stable crop in Lithuania. This has always been particularly true for the southeastern region of Dzūkija, where its sandy and less fertile soils have not been favorable to wheat.
Many traditional dishes of the area feature buckwheat in one form or another. Lithuanian meduolis (the equivalent of gingerbread) was also commonly made with buckwheat honey, its intense aromas accompanied well by cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. Today, buckwheat honey is mainly harvested in the region. This honey variety is well known in Lithuania, but the feelings are mixed: some adore it, others cannot bring themselves to taste it because of its intense animal aroma, and yet others praise it for its medicinal and nutritional qualities. As the Great Taste awards judges noted “The rich brown colour of this honey is very inviting as is the aroma. We enjoyed the different notes of chocolate and malt and the thickness which makes it ideal for spreading. An amazingly rich, heady, nutty and summer field aroma is enticing. Slight granularity on the palate dissolves swiftly to deliver immediately bright notes, almost of citrus, followed by roasty malt character. The length is pleasing, the finish still carrying richly roasted notes - not quite cocoa or coffee as such, but we can see the implication from those toasty elements. Deeply pleasing. A thick, grainy honey, with a savoury edge and malty-caramel sweetness, balanced with a moreish, umami sourness that has impressive length on the palate.” Aroma: pungent, malty, reminiscent of buckwheat flour and dark molasses. Taste: bold, slightly bitter-sweet with mineral richness. Texture: thick, firm crystallization. The beekeeping
Laimonas Galvonas is a third-generation beekeeper in northern Lithuania, caring for as many as 350 hives. For context, this is considered a large operation in the country where small beekeepers make up the majority.
For nearly ten years, his apiary has been certified organic. Medaus namai offers perhaps the widest selection of monofloral honeys in Lithuania: dandelion, rapeseed, honeydew, heather, melilot, white clover, and, of course, buckwheat honey. In 2025 the honey was recognized with awards at international competitions: Honey Madness Cup and The Great Taste Award. |
