Himalayan mad honey

Dark, reddish honey of the Himalayan giant honey bee, which builds its combs on cliffs at 1,200–4,000 m. In spring it carries rhododendron nectar containing grayanotoxins, so larger amounts can cause poisoning.

Origin

central Nepal (Lamjung, Kaski)

Colour

120 mm · dark amber

Taste

sweet, then bitter and warming

Season

Plant

Rhododendron spp. (Apis laboriosa) · rhododendron →

Colour varies by year and place; the value given is typical.

Gurung honey hunters climb the cliffs on hand-made rope ladders to reach the combs.