This Mono-floral honey is produced in Tasmania from two varieties of Leatherwood, Eucryphia Lucida and Eucryphia milliganii.
E. Lucida keeps a most significant place and is most common in Leatherwood honey industry, where E. Milliganii is less prevalent. The Italian Ligustica bees (Apis mellifera), a subspecies of the Western honey bee, produce Leatherwood honey.
In the south-west of Tasmania, Australia, this native of eucalyptus, comes from the Leatherwood blossom and is one of its scarcest and finest kind of honey.
It grows very well during precipitation and is found in the wilderness of the pristine rainforest. It comes from the wet, marshy forest regions on the wild west coast of Tasmania, through the South West Wilderness, very deep in those woods. As a result, these trees are challenging to reach as human habitation is sparse and far away.
Leatherwood honey beekeepers encamp between January and March in the forest
during the harvest and stay there until their harvest is done.
Leatherwood flowers do not come too quickly until the trees are over 100 years old, so before 100 years, there is no nectar for the Leatherwood tree bees.
Leatherwood honey is found only in Tasmania and is unique to this tiny Australian South Pacific Island, situated 240 km (150 miles) south of the mainland of Australia. Tasmania is known to have one of the world's healthiest air and water, with the most natural and pristine forests. The area is rich in countless rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. They are considered so significant that more than 2 million acres are preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Tasmania has Leatherwood as the single most crucial nectar plant which has been supporting the export economy of Tasmania for over a century.
In Tasmania, beekeeping is a business of many which have been a legacy for generations for many families.
The appearance of this honey is yellow ochre with the wonderful and subtle spice of savoury quality, often succulent and delicious. Its aroma is robust, floral and distinctly complex.
It tastes not very sweet like the wilderness. It's creamy and buttery in texture is low in acidity and melts in the mouth, lingering with spicy notes aftertaste.
It is considered to be a fine gourmet food. This distinct form of honey has a distinctive taste and a deep and unique spicy flavour, making it an ideal ingredient for recipes. Not only can it sweeten, but it also gives an exquisite fragrance to cookies, muffins, coffee and tea.
It crystallizes but becomes very solid into quite fine crystals, which is why it is best enjoyed in its creamy, liquid form.
Health benefits of Leatherwood honey
This honey is well used as a cure for hang-over.
It's also known to be a magnificent detoxifier of the liver. It is recommended that you take it before you drink, and immediately afterwards.
It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make it suitable for applying to wounds. It's also used as an antiseptic to treat burns and cuts by Tasmanian.
This honey has always been used for injuries and other skin conditions.
Sadly, this honey is not known much to many. This honey's full potential is still underrated as the study has not been conducted much for this honey.
The above-provided information is purely based on my own research and study, and I hope this is a useful resource for you!
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