PRODUCT DESCRIPTION NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. Raw Greek Organic Oak Honey Active 32.5 – from Mount Othrys, Greece, 1kg

Silver – Mediterranean Taste Awards 2023

Back Story
Back on a June day, Asterios (our man on the ground in Greece) took me to a rendezvous spot in a sleepy Greek village. There we met Giorgos, the beekeeper—a quiet, understated guy who proudly showed me his organic allotment. Then we jumped in his 4x4 and headed towards Mount Othrys.

Soon we left the metalled roads and continued on a rough mountain track. On either side were meadows and scrubland, until at around 1,000 metres the landscape changed—there were great oak trees, some so wide it would take two people to reach around the trunk. The trees looked ancient, rooted deep in fertile soil.

As we stood there, Giorgos pointed to an acorn cluster, with golden sap weeping from it. “This,” he said, “is where the bees collect the honey.” Geologists say Mount Othrys is formed from ancient oceanic crust and volcanic flows, which may explain the mineral-rich soils. The area is also largely protected under Natura 2000, safeguarding its wildlife and habitats.

This combination of unspoilt woodland, altitude and rich soils may explain the honey’s distinctive flavour—and the high antimicrobial test score of 18.5.

Summary

This Raw Greek Organic Oak Honey Active 18.5 comes from the hives of artisan beekeeper Giorgos, located high on Mount Othrys in central Greece. It is produced from acorn honeydew collected by bees foraging among the mountain’s large, old oak trees. The honey is 100% raw, coarse-filtered, unpasteurised and cold-pressed, and scored 18.5 in a Total Activity test, indicating strong antimicrobial properties. It also received a Silver Medal at the 2023 Mediterranean Taste Awards. This is a limited batch with only 122 jars available.

Product Highlights

• Coarse-filtered
• 100% Raw
• Cold-pressed
• Unpasteurised
• Active 18.5 (Total Activity Test)
• Silver – 2023 Mediterranean Taste Awards
• From Mount Othrys oak sap, central Greece
• Mineral-rich volcanic soil and protected woodland
• Wilderness honey from artisan beekeeper Giorgos

Aroma

Earthy and fruity with oak woodland notes, dried fruit and a touch of resin.

Flavour

Robust and full-bodied, with molasses, malt, and stewed summer fruits. A savoury character with a mineral finish.

Colour

Very dark—almost black—with amber highlights. Glossy and dense. Naturally runny due to its low glucose content; slow to crystallise.

Origin

Collected by bees from acorn honeydew in the oak forests of Mount Othrys, central Greece. Giorgos uses traditional, non-invasive beekeeping methods and harvests by hand without heating or blending. The area is part of the Natura 2000 protected network and features mineral-rich volcanic soils.

Common Uses

• Stir into lemon and ginger tea for a throat-soothing drink
• Pair with blue cheese or aged cheddar on a cheeseboard
• Drizzle over grilled figs or roast vegetables for a savoury-sweet glaze
• Mix into yoghurt with walnuts for a Greek-style breakfast
• Use in natural remedies for coughs or dry throats
• Apply a thin layer to minor skin irritations as a soothing balm
• Take a spoonful daily during colder months as a tonic

Producer Story

Giorgos is a small-scale, traditional beekeeper in central Greece. His hives are located high on Mount Othrys in ancient oak woodland. Giorgos uses sustainable, non-invasive techniques to protect his bees and preserve the healing qualities of their honey. He harvests by hand and never heats or blends his batches.

🧪 What does “Active” mean?

We send some honeys to a lab for a "Total Activity test". This test measures a honey's antimicrobial activity using a solution on a lab plate against Staph Aureus bacteria. The honey is graded between 10 and 25+. This test is similar to that used for Manuka Honey. The main activity comes from a bee enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide. Note that the Activity Level is highest at testing and decreases over time—faster with light and heat. Store in a dark, cool place to slow this.

🧊 How to store your honey

To preserve its natural potency, store the honey in a cool, dark place. Light and heat degrade the enzymes that contribute to antibacterial activity. Keeping it away from light and high temps helps maintain its flavour, texture, and active properties.

🍯 Why Raw Honey is Different from Processed Honey

Raw honey comes from the hive to the jar with minimal interference. Most supermarket honey is processed to look attractive—drained of pollen, heated, and blended. Raw honey varies from batch to batch because it’s not factory-processed or heated. It changes with season, climate, and bee forage. We update this fact sheet based on the current batch.

🌀 Crystallisation

Raw honey crystallises naturally (so we cannot accept returns on crystallised honey). We indicate on the site whether the honey is runny or crystallised, but this may change. If you want runny honey and it has crystallised, it's easy to return it to runny. Check our Runny Honey Guide or read more on crystallisation.

🏪 About Us

At The Raw Honey Shop, we believe honey should be RAW, unpasteurised, and 100% natural. Since 2008, we've introduced customers to pure, all-natural honey. Our catalogue includes over 30 raw and organic varieties. Thank you for visiting. We look forward to sharing a world of raw, pure, and truly wonderful honey—the way the bees intended it!

📸 Representative Photo Disclaimer

Product photo is representative. The colour and texture of raw honey may vary by season and crystallisation level. Please check the product title and description for accurate contents.