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Beekeeping has ancient roots on Elba Island. Napoleon himself honoured the Apis mellifera by making it the symbol of the Elban coat of arms: three golden bees representing industriousness, unity and strength. Our bees are raised with the utmost respect for their natural behaviour and needs, without “forcing” honey production through artificial methods or tricks: when the season is less favourable, the honey harvest is naturally smaller.
We are fully aware that the climate is changing before our eyes. The plant world noticed it first, and flowering periods change from year to year. As a result, bees — all bees, not only honey bees — sometimes struggle to adapt and find nectar and pollen, especially during the intense summer heat.
We manage around 65 hives in two different areas of Elba Island: Porto Azzurro and Marina di Campo.
The light wildflower honey from Porto Azzurro has been analysed and certified by CREA-AA and ACCREDIA as honey with 100% geographical and botanical origin from Elba Island. Palinological analysis identified the presence of numerous nectar-producing pollens, including heather, Mediterranean buckthorn and brassicaceae (16–45%), bird’s-foot trefoil, borage and viper’s bugloss (3–15%), together with smaller traces of lavender, myrtle, viburnum, broom and clover (<3%).
This honey pairs perfectly with medium-aged sheep or cow cheeses.
