Category:
Animal products (honey, dairy products of various kinds, excluding butter);
1. Product name:
Miele di acacia toscano
2. Other names:
3. Short product description:
Tuscan acacia honey has a liquid consistency, clear yellow, almost transparent, colour, sweet, very delicate flavour and persistent perfume. It smells like flowers and vanilla.
4. Production area:
Throughout Tuscany.
5. Production status:
r disappeared r at risk r active
6. Production process:
To extract the honey, the wooden frames are uncapped (i.e. the wax that seals the honey cells is removed) and then centrifuged to remove the honey from the cells. The honey is then left to settle after being filtered through a filter sock. From settling, it’s placed in jars. A dehumidifier is used in the extracting room to stop the air’s humidity from getting into the honey, as it is a highly hygroscopic product.
7. Materials, equipment and premises used for production:
s Hives, honey super and wooden frames
s Kitchen equipment for uncapping
s Filters
s Containers for decanting (settling)
s Glass jars
s Workplace.
8. Notes on traditionalism, homogeneity of spread and persistence of production rules over time:
The honey extraction method has remained mostly unchanged over time. The most important changes are in regards to the use of removable honey supers, centrifuges instead of torches, and filters. Honey is a product with strong ties to its environment, as it is, thanks to its unique climatic properties, characterised by a wealth of unique nectar essences.
9. Production:
Official census data from the Tuscan Regional Government shows the total annual production of acacia honey to be around 10,000 tonnes.