Description
Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO refers to four different types of honey: Forest, Lime, Spruce and Fir.
Production Area
Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO is produced almost entirely within the natural conservation area of Kocevsko- Kolpa, one of the largest natural areas in Slovenia.
Production Method
The bees are kept by expert beekeepers in accordance with good beekeeping practices. In order to take full advantage of the varied flora in the production area, the beekeepers transport the bees to the different areas according to the period in which the nectar is produced: the fir produces nectar in June and often in July and August; the spruce produces nectar in June and sometimes at the end of May; lime honeydew appears with the blooming in June. Sweeping, blowing and as little smoking as possible are used to drive the bees away from the comb in order to collect the honey, which is never extracted from comb which still contains eggs: the use of chemical repellents is prohibited and comb intended for obtaining honey may not be exposed to chemical agents used for suppressing bee diseases and pests. A start is made on bottling honey when it is ripe and the water content does not exceed 18,6 %. The honey is always filtered, but the sieve used must not filter out particles of less than 0,2 mm in size and crystallised honey may be liquefied by heating, but only up to a maximum of 40 °C.
Appearance and Flavour
Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO varies according to which type it is: Forest honey is light to dark brown in colour with a red or green tint, and can be opaque or transparent; it has an aroma of resin, walnuts and spruce tip syrup. Lime honey is light to medium yellow or amber in colour; it has a highly intense aroma of menthol, lime infusion and lime blossom. Fir honey is dark grey-brown in colour with a green sheen; it tastes of caramel, burnt sugar, resin, fresh coniferous wood and spruce tip syrup, as well as of smoke, black tea with milk and herb sweets. Spruce honey is reddish brown in colour and fairly viscous in its liquid state; it has a flavour of resin, spruce tip syrup, herb sweets, green tea, roasted coffee, dried fruit, figs and coffee sweets.
History
Numerous documents and figurative works show that beekeeping has a centuries-old tradition in Kocevje. On the altar of the parish church of Stari Trg ob Kolpi, there is a large statue of St. Ambrose, patron saint of bees, who has a beehive woven around his legs, and in the chapel of the village of Laza ob Kolpi, there is a fresco of the saint dating back to 1557. Important Slovakian scholars and patrons were excellent beekeepers and the spread of beekeeping in the area was encouraged by their writings on the subject, although the production of honey only really became popular after the First World War, when affiliated apicultural groups started to be formed.
Gastronomy
Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO should be kept away from direct light and heat sources. It can be consumed on its own or spread onto bread or toast. It is also ideal for sweetening hot drinks such as tea or infusions.
Marketing
The product is marketed as Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO, in four different types: Forest, Spruce, Fir and Lime. It is sold in various types of jars and in various weights.
Distinctive Features
The Kocevsko-Kolpa area, where Kocevski Gozdni Med PDO is produced, is one of the largest uninterrupted areas of forest in Slovenia, a natural environment which is protected at European level due to the presence of Illyrian beech stands.
