The honey of Lunigiana was the first in Italy to obtain DOP status from the European Union. Lunigiana, a land that industrial development has by and large passed by, boasts meadows and grazing land and vast, uncontaminated woodlands: an ideal habitat for the development of apiculture. The production area extends over the territories of the 14 towns of the Comunità Montana della Lunigiana. The two types of honey that have won DOP recognition are, in fact, “Il Miele di Castagno” and “Il Miele di Acacia”.
Lunigiana chestnut honey: Chestnut honey is collected in late June and early July. It is dark brown in colour, with a highly aromatic, distinctive nose, a strong, penetrating flavour that is nevertheless not overly bitter thanks to a high percentage of the nectar of the blackberry, which blooms at the same time as the chestnut. This honey is liquid, although over time it tends to crystallize in an irregular manner.
Lunigiana acacia honey: Acacia honey is collected in late May; it preserves all the delicate scent of the acacia blossoms. Due to the generally uncertain weather of the spring, acacia honey production varies greatly from year to year. The delicate, light flavour with overtones of vanilla and sugared almonds makes this a much sought-after variety of honey.
(Font: Qualità Lunigiana http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/134.pdf)
Maggiori informazioni http://www.aotl.it/en/mondorurale/dop-e-igp/
