Orange Blossom Honey of Sicily and Calabria organic - 250g

Even before the fruit became edible, Sicily was covered with orange trees; it is recalled in this way by Arab writings around the year One Thousand, when the refined occupants of this land decided to import orange trees as decorative plants. They were bitter oranges, bearing inedible fruit but a feast to the eye.
During the past century, orange groves have spread all over the region of Sicily and  in Calabria, where production has developed rapidly, to the point of becoming one of the most important crops in Europe. The landscape of citrus groves is splendid, with the bright green leaves appearing in striking contrast to the bleak hues of the earth.
Not by chance, orange is the only color that bears the name of a fruit. In winter, when the trees are loaded with fruit, they form an explosion of brightly colored dots all over the trees.

In striking contrast to the intense visual experience before the harvest is the delicacy of blossom time, in March and April. Orange blossoms are pure white in color, so immaculate as to have become the symbol of purity, still used today for brides. All around the trees is the intense fragrance of the orange blossoms, so strong as to be distilled for use in perfumes and the preparation of sweets.

Honeybees are strongly attracted by orange blossoms, as rich in nectar as they are highly perfumed, their corollas literally overflowing. The beehive too will smell of orange blossoms, as will the bees themselves.
In their gathering, the bees are unable to resist the attraction of other citrus blossoms, such as those of the tangerine and the lemon, and a small portion of nectar from these flowers is inevitably mixed with that of the orange. If the disproportion between flavors is strong, the honey is called “citrus”, honey, and is equally fine.

Orange blossom honey crystallizes a few months after having been gathered, and is very light, almost white, in color. The intense fragrance is reminiscent of orange blossoms, while the flavor is a fusion of aromas recalling both the flower and the fruit.
This is one of the most universally appreciated honeys, since its floral aroma goes well with all tastes; excellent in sweets or mixed with yogurt, it is just as good spread on bread or used to sweeten tea.