Is there something that makes Emirati honey unique and different from other types of honey from around the world? A wander through the desert of the UAE where past and present collide to create some of the world’s finest honey. Bee farming in the UAE is a profession and a family tradition, inherited from generation to generation and adapted to the UAE’s plant resources.
What makes honey produced in the UAE different from honey produced in other countries? It is all about the Sidr trees growing in the UAE and the acacia flowers and wildflowers found there. As you will discover, every drop of honey encapsulates the fragrant nectar of these flowers. The taste and nutritional values they provide cannot be replicated. Just imagine tasting honey that is so pure and has such a great smell; it is like taking the soul of the desert.
But there is more to this sweet story. Choose to take a tour of bee colonies and honey farms in the UAE. You will be able to observe the skilful process of bee farming and encourage local farmers who are already practising it. It will allow you to meet like-minded people who are beekeepers, discover the life of bees and taste honey at special sessions where your taste buds will beg for more.
But before the short steps involved in the trip, let me tell you everything you need to know about this fantastic bee: the past and present techniques of honey-making, the economic effect of bees’ products on people, and the possibility of taking part in practical activities that make learning fun.
The History of Honey-Making in the UAE
It is as exciting and colourful a story as the liquid gold brewed into a drink. Now, let us go back to the past to discover when and why people started using fire to cook food. Bees and beekeeping, in particular, are as old as the UAE itself, with evidence pointing to over 6,000 years of beekeeping practices. Originally, beekeepers used traditional hives, made from mud and clay like those found in Egypt, to ensure they could get honey. These early practices provided the basis for the subsequent development of what may now be considered a key element of Emirati society. Honey has been a valued food commodity in Emirati culture for many centuries due to its ability to heal and nourish the human body. In the past, honey was the most utilized product in folk medicine, with applications for wound healing, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders. It was also a staple in people’s everyday meals, prized for its nourishing properties and medicinal effects. Have you ever thought about what the world was like when people believed that honey was a divine food that should be used to strengthen the body and enrich the spirit?
Evolution of Honey Farming Techniques
The transformation is remarkable. The history of beekeeping in the UAE starts with ancient mud bee hives and moves to contemporary environmentally friendly practices. Beekeepers currently in the UAE are using new bee farming techniques, such as the animate hive, which has better insulation and increased honey yield.
These are not just hives, they are the result of meticulous planning and adaptation. They have been developed to cater to the diverse environmental conditions that the bees are exposed to throughout the year. This evolution represents the continuity of tradition and the pursuit of change, a perfect synthesis of the past and future.
Types of Honey in the UAE
Let’s examine the unique types of Emirati honey, their exquisite flavours, and the incredible health benefits they offer.
1. Sidr Honey
Description: Sidr honey is collected from bees that feed on the Sidr plant’s nectar, scientifically called the Christ’s thorn tree. This honey is preferred due to its taste, which is described as very sweet with a robust and distinct flavour, and its colour, which is described as dark amber.
Unique Qualities: Sidr honey is characterized by a strong, thick flavour reminiscent of caramel with an earthy aftertaste. It is one of the finest honey globally and has a unique and delicious taste.
Health Benefits: Sidr honey is highly effective in killing bacteria, and thus, it has potential use in wounds and infections. It also contains antioxidants that assist in protecting cells against oxidative stress.
2. Acacia Honey
Description: Gathered from the nectar of the Acacia trees, this honey is pale yellow and has a subtle floral flavour.
Unique Qualities: Acacia honey crystallizes very slowly because it contains a relatively high amount of fructose. Thus, it is ideal for sweetening foods without changing their flavour.
Health Benefits: Acacia honey has some special benefits, among which it is famous for its detoxifying effect. It is also very effective in managing blood sugar levels, especially compared with other types of honey, because of its low glycemic index.
3. Samar Honey
Description: This honey is collected from the nectar of another important tree in the UAE, the Samar tree.
Unique Qualities: Samar honey is not as dark and has a more distinct aroma than Sidr honey. Due to its relatively smoother surface, it is well suited for culinary purposes.
Health Benefits: Samar honey has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. It also has its application in the traditional system of medicine for curing respiratory and digestive disorders.
4. Multiflora Honey
Description: Multiflora honey is produced when bees feed on several flowers, resulting in sweeter honey.
Unique Qualities: This is because the taste and colour of every batch of multiflora honey can differ from the other due to the availability of different types of flora in Hatta, which is a common area where this honey is produced.
Note: Are you curious to taste these unique honey varieties yourself? Join us on an unforgettable journey through the UAE’s honey farms with Travel Indigenous. Experience firsthand the meticulous process of honey production, meet the dedicated beekeepers and indulge in the rich flavours that make Emirati honey a global treasure. Book your adventure today and let the story of UAE honey unfold in every drop you savour.
Existing Farmers and Initiatives
Profiles of Prominent Local Beekeepers and Honey Farmers
The UAE currently hosts several aspiring beekeepers and honey farmers who have made a profession from this natural resource. I find one man quite interesting; his name is Abdelaalim Al Aabqary, and he is an employee of the Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Centre. He also has valuable experience and passion towards environmentally friendly bee farming that contributes towards today’s practice. Hive transformation: At the Hatta Centre, you can witness how these hives have developed from mud and clay hives to the new apimaye hives that provide insulation and enhanced honey yield.
Initiatives and Projects Promoting Sustainable Honey Farming
Which policies are key factors of sustainable honey farming in the UAE? The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agriculture Excellence Award is a factor that significantly helps implement innovative changes in agriculture. It supports beekeepers who keep bees locally in different ways, such as the Al Wathba Honey Festival, where over 60 beekeepers showcase their products and gain knowledge from other beekeepers. This festival helps the Emirati community learn more about honey’s different types and attributes. It also encourages the development of businesses and the conservation of the environment.
Another one is the Beekeepers Association UAE. It is responsible for essential tasks such as supporting and encouraging beekeepers in the UAE. Many have adopted the natural way of handling bees, keeping them alive in their natural habitats without focusing on how to get the best out of them; they produce most of the honey. This has to do with banning poisonous chemicals and encouraging the use of natural methods in agriculture.
Economic Impact of Honey-Making
Due to the honey making industry in the United Arab Emirates, the nation’s economy has been boosted. To its local economy, let’s examine the importance of honey-making in the UAE and its markets.
1. Contribution to the UAE’s Economy: The UAE ranked 34th globally for honey exports, exporting $12 million worth of honey in 2022. This giant achievement underscores honey as a lucrative and prominent non-oil product in the UAE’s diverse economy. Local honey production contributes to agricultural revenues and employment for people, particularly those from the countryside, using traditional beekeeping techniques. It also attracts much attention, such as the Hatta Honey Festival, which generates excellent sales for beekeepers and the local economy.
2. Export Markets and Global Demand for Emirati Honey: What sets Emirati honey apart in the international market? The unique flavours and quality have earned Emirati honey, especially Sidr and Acacia, a special place. The primary markets for honey in the UAE are Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, and Libya. Despite the high import of honey, there is a growing trend of new markets like Kuwait, the United States, and Somalia significantly increasing their importation of honey from the UAE, a testament to the global demand for Emirati honey.
3. How Honey Farming Supports Local Communities and Ecosystems: The cultural practice of honey farming in the UAE has several advantages apart from the financial side. It benefits local communities through employment and income generation, contributing to rural development. One of the conservation relevance of beekeeping practices is that sustainable practices promote the conservation of biological diversity. The local plants require pollination, and bees provide that essential service to various ecosystems.
The Optimal Time to Explore UAE’s Bee Colonies and Honey Farms
While the UAE is a must-visit for honey lovers and people who appreciate the variety of this product, it is crucial to know when the best time to go is.
The best time is from October to April. Some areas can be visited during the rainy season, but they are limited. This is also the best time of the year to go around the town or do a lot of outdoor things because the climate is colder and more comfortable for tourists. Also, the differentiated area has the highest honey production periods, where one has the opportunity to observe bees’ hard work and honey yield.
During warmer months, people can taste honey, and there are many cosy activities for tourists, such as observing the process of honey extraction and its sale, as well as engaging in guided tours. Some exciting places to visit in Dubai include the Hatta Honey Bee Garden and Discovery Center, where visitors are offered a glimpse of conventional and contemporary bee farming methods and are allowed to witness bees at work and engage in honey testing sessions.
More than 60 local beekeepers present their honey products and exchange experiences during this festival. It is a great chance to taste different types of honey, develop bee-themed souvenirs, and participate in creative tasks with children.
So, Why Visit with Travel Indigenous?
A family eager to explore the miracles of UAE’s bee colonies goes alone and gets lost in perplexity and disillusion. They get there during the wrong time of the year, have a hard time locating real honey farms, and are left with a cliche tour that does not portray the true spirit of the Emirati beekeepers. This is a familiar event among many travelers who embark on their journeys without adequate direction.
However, this can be averted with Travel Indigenous, for we know the challenges many people encounter when touring honey farms without professional guidance. These are some of our tours’ highlights: These tours aim to give you a great and unforgettable experience. Here’s how we turn potential disappointment into extraordinary memories.
However, suppose you do not have a problem with this. In that case, we can arrange your visit at the best time from October to April when honey production is at its highest. That’s right, no more guessing when the time is right to go—we’ve got your back.
Do not go to the major attractions and take the usual guided tour. Here, you will be able to take a special tour that will enable you to learn the history and present-day practices of Emirati honey production.
So, if you are ready to embark on a journey that’s sweet in every sense? Visit Travel Indigenous and book your adventure today.
