New Zealand Honeydew

New Zealand produces significant amounts of Honeydew which it exports predominantly to Europe. The vast majority of Honeydew is derived from New Zealand's native beech trees (Nothofagus solanri) and (Nothofagus fusca) found in the South Island of New Zealand, hence the name "New Zealand Beech Honeydew".

It is a magnificent product that is totally undeveloped.

Difference between Beech Honeydew and Normal Honey

Honey Dew is significantly different to conventional floral honey in three major ways. These differences make it a product quite distinct from conventional floral honey and should be treated as such.

  1. The nectar that is the foundation of Honeydew comes from the sap of a tree (New Zealand Beech) rather than from the nectar of a flower. In this respect Honeydew is more similar to Maple Syrup than conventional floral honey. It could be called "Beech Syrup" just as easily as it is called "Beech Honeydew".
  2. There are two insects involved in the harvest and production of the Beech Honeydew. Conventional floral honey has only one insect involved, the honey bee. With Beech Honeydew, Scale insects (Ultracoelostoma assimile and Ultracoelostoma brittini) do the initial extracting of the Beech tree sap and then the honey bees collect the exudates that are associated with the Scales feeding.
  3. Beech Honeydew remains liquid if it is pure. Most if not all other New Zealand conventional floral honeys crystallize.

Beneficial properties of New Zealand Beech Honeydew

Honeydew is significantly different to other honeys and so deserves its own category. These differences make it a very unique, exciting and nutritious functional food, unlike any other honey. It is a seriously under rated product that must be one of the honey worlds "best kept secret".

  1. Its antibacterial activity rivals that of the world famous Manuka with levels equivalent to 14-15+ activity found in some lines.
  2. It has significant levels of antioxidants not generally found in other honeys.
  3. Its sugar profile with higher levels of complex sugars such as maltose, erlose and melezitose and lower levels of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose, gives it a surprisingly low GI index.
  4. The high level of complex sugars (oligosaccharides) in Beech Honeydew gives it the ability to promote and maintain beneficial bacteria in the gut which put it in the list of natural occurring probiotics.
  5. It has significantly higher levels of minerals and trace elements than conventional honey. This is due to the fact that 2 different insects instead of one ingest and modify the sap with different enzymes than when producing just conventional floral honey.

Supply of New Zealand Beech Honeydew by Claridges Organic

Claridges Organic can supply Organic or Conventional Beech Honeydew.

Organic Beech Honeydew:

  • Bulk drums (300-330 kg)
  • Retail packed with Claridges Label
  • Retail packed with Clients Label