Honeydew honey from Montesinho Natural Park: non-wood forest product potential

Honeydew honey from the Montesinho Natural Park in Bragança, Portugal, is a high-quality non-wood forest product derived from Quercus pyrenaica and its hybrids. Produced from mid-July to August, it features a dark amber colour, vegetal aroma, and sweet with salty notes. Physicochemical and mellissopalynological analysis over three seasons confirms its botanical origin, with medium pollen content (Maury classes II–III) and low honeydew index (HDI/P < 1). Dominant pollens include thyme, plantain, mignonette, fennel, clover, viper's bugloss, and flax-leaved daphne, alongside dandelion, grasses, cornflower, and rockrose. The ACRONDEW project supports forest sustainability and local economic resilience through authentic honey characterization.