"Mountain honey" sounds pure and rare, and some of it is wonderful. But the word mountain alone does not tell you which flowers the bees visited, how the honey was handled or how it tastes. Here is a simple guide to mountain honey in the UAE, and what to look for.
Start with a real place
A good mountain honey names a real place. The Balqees White Mountain honey comes from wildflowers that bloom in summer in the alpine meadows east of Lake Issyk-Kul, in the Tien-Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. It is imported and sold in the UAE. Read the story of its beekeepers in White Honey from Kyrgyzstan.
Other mountain honeys come from very different places, such as the Himalayas or the mountains of Patagonia. Each one tastes different because the flowers are different.
What altitude does not tell you
- It does not name the flowers the bees fed on.
- It does not prove the honey is raw or organic.
- It does not make the honey "stronger" or "better".
Those are separate questions. Check the label for the country, region, flowers and whether it is raw.
What does White Mountain honey taste like?
It is pale, almost white, with an intensely floral taste and aroma. It has a creamy, naturally crystallised texture, so it spreads like butter. Colour and texture can vary a little between harvests.
How to taste and compare
- Taste a small spoon at room temperature.
- Spread a little on plain toast or stir into plain yoghurt.
- Try a different honey the same way, for example Yemeni Sidr Do'ani.
- Notice the texture, aroma and how long the flavour lasts.
Read our White Mountain vs Sidr comparison for more.
Frequently asked questions
Is White Mountain honey made in the UAE?
No. It comes from Kyrgyzstan and is imported to the UAE.
Why is it white and creamy?
It crystallises naturally into a smooth, creamy set. That is normal for this honey.
Can I make it runny?
Yes. Stand the closed jar in warm water. Many people prefer it creamy, though.
Try White Mountain honey from Kyrgyzstan, delivered across the UAE.
