Honeydew honey from the Montesinho oak forest: non-timber forest products

Honeydew honey from the Quercus pyrenaica oak forest in the Montesinho Natural Park, Bragança, Portugal, is a high-quality non-timber forest product with a high content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Its production, which takes place between mid-July and August, is linked to the region’s rich flora, including species such as chestnut, blackberry, heather, gorse, thyme, fennel and clover. Melissopalinological and physico-chemical analysis confirms its botanical origin and potential for applications in human health. The ACRONDEW project promoted the sustainability of the oak woodland and the sustainable development of regional products, reinforcing the importance of beekeeping in the economic recovery of rural areas affected by desertification.