The production period of “mad honey”, which is also the subject of the Sherlock Holmes movie due to its characteristics, has begun.
Mad honey is obtained by bees taking nectar from “rhododendron”, which grows on the Black Sea coast and blooms 15-20 days a year.
Kastamonu Beekeepers’ Association President Ahmet Erdem told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Kastamonu has rich vegetation.
Pointing out that there are around 13 thousand nectar plant species around the world, Erdem said, “There are 9-10 thousand of them in our country, but 40-50 plant species are only available in Turkey. One of them is ‘Rhododendron’ in Latin, but it is called “forest rose” among the people. It has its own unique colors. It grows in coastal areas such as Kastamonu, Artvin, Ordu, Duzce, Zonguldak and Bartin.”
Emphasizing that the rhododendron stays in bloom for a very short time, Erdem said, “When the chestnut trees bloom, rhododendron honey production ends. If we want to get pure rhododendron honey, we need to take the honey from the hives after the chestnut trees bloom. If we don’t take it, chestnut honey and rhododendron honey will be mixed.”
Stating that mad honey is produced in some parts of Kastamonu’s Catalzeytin, Inebolu, Abana, Bozkurt, Doganyurt, Cide, Kure districts as well as Azdavay and Senpazar districts, Erdem said, “Pure mad honey is produced around 5-6 tons in Kastamonu. When we think of it as mixed with chestnut honey, it reaches 15-20 tons.”
“It has the feature of being good for blood pressure, sore throat and inflammation, chronic bronchitis”
Stating that mad honey increases body resistance, Erdem said:
“It has the feature of being good for blood pressure, sore throat and inflammation, chronic bronchitis. It is necessary to use this honey in a certain amount for medicine. It is necessary to consume 1 teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach or at night. It is also called ‘grip honey’ because it lowers blood pressure when consumed in excess. People demand it only for medicine, not for breakfast. A honey that increases body temperature. The Covid-19 outbreak has increased the interest in this honey. It has become a sought-after product in the pandemic as it increases body resistance. As a result, the price increased automatically. Last year, its weight was around ₺250, this year it is expected to be around ₺300. We do not expect much production this year, as the weather is constantly rainy during the production period.”
“People line up 1-2 years before to purchase”
Zulkif Ozcan, who produces mad honey in Ulukoy village of Inebolu district, said that only Caucasian bees make this honey.
Stating that the same honey is called “komar honey” in the Eastern Black Sea Region, Ozcan said, “If the weather is good, the yield will be good, otherwise it will be bad. It is used for discomfort such as cough, sore throat, heartburn. It is known that it is very good for asthma and bronchitis. When a spoon of it is eaten, it is healing, too much of it is harmful. It is produced very little because of its limited time. There is high demand. To buy mad honey, people queue up 1-2 years before. Last year, honey suddenly ran out due to the coronavirus. This disease also increased honey sales. Even the honey in the hives has been sold.”
Featured in the movie “Sherlock Holmes”
Mad honey was also featured in the 2009 Sherlock Holmes movie. After the revival of Lord Blackwood, who was executed in the film, Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Doctor Watson investigated the mystery of the event.
As a result of his research, Sherlock Holmes determined that before he was executed, Blackwood was thought to have died after eating mad honey and his pulse stopped for a while. Sherlock Holmes, the secret of the event, “Mad honey grows in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, it makes you sleepy and lowers your heart rate.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz