The northern and southern regions of the Dominican Republic, recognized for their advanced development in beekeeping, were the protagonists this Saturday during a tasting organized by the Pollinator Friends Foundation. At the event, the five best honeys in the country were selected, which met all established quality standards.
The winning honeys were chosen from a total of 16 participants, of which some failed to pass the microbiological tests required by a specialized laboratory, being left out because they were not suitable for human consumption.
During the tasting, attendees lived a complete sensory experience, appreciating the characteristics of the honeys through sight, smell, taste and touch.
The organizers explained how to evaluate the quality of the product, highlighting the wide variety available: from light and dark honeys to those with acidic or strong flavors, some with delicate nuances of bloom and others with creamy or liquid textures.
The activity not only promoted knowledge about the diversity of Dominican honeys, but also highlighted the importance of consuming high-quality products, contributing to the recognition and support of local beekeeping.
The foundation carried out the tasting within the framework of the XVI Congress of the International Latin American Beekeeping Federation (Filapi) 2024.
Liliana Mesa, one of the representatives of the foundation, expressed that all honeys are good, especially when they are produced through artisanal processes, highlighting that this is the way in which most of the beekeeping is carried out in the Dominican Republic, where thousands of ” very good quality.”
He added that most of the honey he received for his selection came from the northern and southern areas, highlighting that there was little presence from the eastern part of the country.
Furthermore, during his presentation, he expressed the importance of assigning a monetary value to the sale of the product, taking into account all the work involved in obtaining quality honey to offer to the public.
Important tasting in the beekeeper
The Chilean beekeeper Misael Cuevas Bravo expressed that this type of events is important for the beekeepers of the country know the characteristics of honey, such as its flavor, texture and intensity, since these factors can transmit additional value that must be communicated to the consumer.
“There is no such thing as honey, there are honeys. Because honeys come from different origins, from different plant structures and communities. So, there are some honeys that are floral, that have a very defined characterization, and you can sell them as floral or as polyfloral. , but of a certain climate,” he added.
An activity that connects the family
One of the honeys selected was that of beekeeper Beatriz Dutsch, who stated that, although the place where she harvests her honey is not very large, she works with dedication and care, always seeking to offer the best quality to the final consumer.
In addition, he expressed that raising bees is an activity that unites the family. In her case, her husband and children are completely involved in this work.
“I was very surprised to be one of those chosen for this tasting, and even more so because of the circumstances we are in, which is in a congress. “I feel totally proud because it is an activity in which I have just started and to which I am putting a lot of love and affection,” she expressed.
