CIU CBPRC has detected a honey, which has a botanical origin of carob, for the first time in Northern Cyprus

Carob honey, which is produced in some Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East countries, and is offered to consumers with its botanical origin determined, has been detected for the first time in Northern Cyprus, via the studies carried out by Cyprus Bee and Bee Products Research Center (KARÜM), located within the body of the Cyprus International University (CIU).

Explaining that during their work in looking at the botanical origin of honey, which they carry out at their center, they analyze samples of honey, CBPRC President Assist. Prof. Dr. Erkay Özgör advised that because in one of their examples there was a high rate of pollen deriving from the carob plant, it has been determined that the botanical origin of the honey is carob.

Özgör informed that carob honey is made by the nectar that bee’s collect from the flowers of carob tree’s, and noted that this type of honey is a monofloral type of honey, and was harvested during November-December.

Advising that the product is also known as “chocolate honey” within the honey market, due to it having a color close to black, Özgör went on to say, “It has positive effects on people with nervous system diseases, and diseases like heart diseases, and those with diabetes and cholesterol problems, due to its high content of antioxidants and minerals. They also speed up the treatment process of diseases”.

Informing that carob honey with its botanical origin determined was recently put up for sale in south Cyprus, Özgör noted that it was quickly consumed in the market due to it being produced in limited amounts, and that carob honey production has now begun for the first time in northern Cyprus with its botanical origin being determined by CBPRC, who also noted, “Due to this, the production of a new product within the domestic market will be encouraged”.

Özgör explained that following the analysis, the Center set the botanical origin and quality standards for the carob honey, and advised that they began the initiatives at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the making of the necessary regulations, and for updates to be made upon the Food Regulations.

Halil Ercan: “A large portion of the customer potential is made up of patients suffering from shortness of breath”
Halil Ercan, owner of Golddefne Arı Balları Ticaret Ltd. (Golddefne Bee Honey Trading Ltd.) and producer of carob honey, explained that in the past five years they have been producing honey intensively, and stated that the content of the honey which is produced by bee colonies located at two different points in the regions of Girne-Bellapais and Ozanköy, have been registered as carob in botanical origin studies.

Ercan stated that both the botanical and quality analysis were completed on 28th December 2021, and that the process of producing the honey was very difficult, and that he was pleased that this very valuable honey was registered.

Expressing that he harvested the mountain honey during the third week of July, Ercan added that following quality and botanical analysis, the harvested honey was offered for sale as carob honey from the third week of December.

Drawing attention to the fact that a large portion of the customer potential in the last 5 years have consisted of patients suffering from shortness of breath, Ercan concluded, “We have focused on the production of carob honey due to the increasing demand. All being well, our honey, where 205kg was produced in 2021, will be around 500 kg in December 2022”.