Raw Greek Organic Oak and Chestnut Honey - 1kg

High in the remote forests of Mount Bellas, near the Bulgarian border, beekeepers Dimitris and Kostas carefully tend their bees in one of the wildest, most unspoiled regions of Greece. Their philosophy is simple: produce honey in harmony with nature. They place their hives in areas where the landscape is strong and thriving, allowing their bees to collect nectar and honeydew from the ancient oak and chestnut trees that dominate the mountain. This approach not only preserves the natural balance of the environment but also results in a honey that reflects the richness of this untamed land.

Oak honey is known for its deep, malty flavours and high natural antibacterial properties, while chestnut blossom brings a mineral-rich, slightly bitter-sweet complexity. Together, they create a robust, full-bodied honey with a flavour that lingers—bold, dark, and completely shaped by the mountain’s ecosystem. This is a honey for those who appreciate a taste that speaks of the land it comes from.

Product Highlights

• From a Wild, Untouched Landscape: Sourced from the oak and chestnut forests of Mount Bellas, an unspoiled region near the Greek-Bulgarian border.
• Bee-Friendly and Organic Beekeeping: Produced by beekeepers who respect the natural rhythms of the bees and avoid intensive practices.
• A Rich, Dark Honey: Made from oak honeydew and chestnut blossom, creating a deep, complex flavour. Tested Active 18.
• Totally Natural Properties: High in antibacterial properties from oak honeydew and rich in minerals from chestnut nectar.
• Unpasteurised and Unfiltered: A raw, organic honey that retains all its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients.
• A Slow-Setting Honey: Due to its low glucose content, it stays runny for longer than many other raw honeys.
• A True Reflection of the Land: Shaped entirely by the diverse flora of Mount Bellas and the bees’ natural foraging.
• Harvested by Small-Scale Beekeepers: Dimitris and Kostas produce this honey in small batches, ensuring quality over quantity.

Flavour

This is a honey with depth. The oak provides a rich, malty intensity with earthy, almost caramel-like undertones, while the chestnut nectar balances it with a slight bitterness and woody, nutty notes. The combination results in a complex, bold taste that lingers on the palate. It’s a honey that stands out—powerful and full of character.

Colour

A deep, dark brown with warm amber undertones, this honey has a thick, luscious texture. Like all raw honeys, it may naturally crystallise over time, taking on a velvety, spreadable consistency.

Origin

Mount Bellas is a place where nature thrives. Located close to the Bulgarian border, this mountainous landscape is home to vast oak and chestnut forests untouched by modern agriculture. Dimitris and Kostas believe that the strength of the land determines the quality of the honey, which is why they place their hives in areas where biodiversity flourishes. Their bees gather nectar from trees that have stood for centuries, creating a honey that is a true reflection of its environment.

Producer Story

Dimitris and Kostas are beekeepers who respect the rhythms of nature. Their organic, bee-friendly approach means that their bees are free to forage in wild landscapes, untouched by chemicals or intensive farming. They don’t push their bees for maximum yield, instead allowing them to work at their own pace, which results in a purer, more flavourful honey. Their oak and chestnut honey is not just a product—it’s a reflection of their commitment to keeping beekeeping natural and sustainable.

Common Uses

Culinary Uses

• Perfect with Strong Cheeses: Try it with blue cheese, pecorino, or aged cheddar for a bold contrast.
• Drizzle Over Warm Bread: Pairs beautifully with rye bread or sourdough.
• A Unique Marinade Ingredient: Adds depth to glazes and meat marinades.
• Enhances Herbal Teas: The slightly bitter-sweet flavour works well in green or black tea.
• A Delicious Breakfast Boost: Stir into porridge, drizzle over Greek yogurt, or spread onto buttered toast.

Other Uses

• Aids in Respiratory Health: A study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford found that honey is superior to usual care for treating upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
• Soothes Sore Throats: Its thick, smooth texture makes it ideal for calming an irritated throat—take a spoonful neat or dissolve in warm tea.
• Wound Healing and Skin Care: Due to its antibacterial properties, it has been used traditionally as a natural remedy for minor cuts, burns, and skin irritation.

What does "Active" mean?

We send some of our honeys to a lab for a "Total Activity test". This test measures the total antimicrobial activity of a honey. This is done by testing a solution of a honey on a lab plate against the Staph Aureus bacteria. The honey is graded according to the amount of bacteria that the honey solution kills. Generally, the range that we see will be between 10 and 25 plus. This type of test is similar to the test used to grade Manuka Honey. The main antibacterial activity is caused by a bee enzyme that creates hydrogen peroxide in the honey. Please bear in mind that the Activity Level is at its highest when we test it and will decrease over time. This will happen faster if the honey is exposed to light and heat. Storing the honey in a dark cool place will help to slow down the rate at which the Activity Level decreases.

How to store your honey

To preserve the natural potency and unique qualities of this honey, store it in a cool, dark place. Exposure to light and heat can degrade the beneficial enzymes that contribute to its antibacterial activity. Keeping it away from light and high temperatures will help maintain its rich flavour, texture, and active properties, ensuring it remains as nature intended.

Why Raw Honey is Different from Processed Honey

Raw honey generally means the honey has not been processed, it has come from the hive to the jar with minimal interference. Most supermarket honey is highly processed to make it look more attractive, it has been drained of pollen, often heated and blended. Raw honey tends to vary from batch to batch, this is because it is not processed in a factory, filtered or heated to look homogeneous, it changes with the season and climate and what the bees feed on, we will update this fact sheet according to which batch we currently have in.

Crystallisation

Please know that raw honey does crystallise and is a natural process of raw honey (therefore we cannot accept returns on honey that may have crystallised). We indicate on the website the state of each honey - either runny or crystallised - but be aware this is to the best of our knowledge and the state can change quickly. For more details on crystallisation, check our Runny Honey Guide or visit the section on honey crystallisation.

About Us

Here at The Raw Honey Shop, we believe that honey should be RAW, unpasteurised, and 100% natural. Since 2008, we've been introducing our customers to a world of pure, all-natural, unpasteurised honey. Our catalogue includes over 30 different varieties of raw and organic honeys, each with its own unique story and flavour.

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