There is a very specialized group of beekeepers on the island of Sicily that came together 
in 1997 to form a consortium, known as the Co. A. Si. Coop. The consortium is made up of beekeepers that tend hives at the base of Mt. Etna on the northeastern corner of the island. The cooperative Dolce Alveare is one of the key members of the consortium. They produce a delightful honey that has primary flavor and scent notes fo the citrus fruit blossoms of this region. Dolce Alveare monitors the bee's range and gathering area making sure the colonies are placed in the prime feeding spot and that the bees only feed mainly on the citrus blossom nectars. The members of the coop carefully place their bee colonies in the large groves of lemon and orange trees planted in volcanic soil that surrounds the base of the mountain in the charming town of Zafferana Etnea. This village is known as the "village of honey" for its wide range of honey types and high volume of production. The landscape is rugged and beautiful with barren fields of chocolate brown lava, live oak and ancient chestnut strands. The bees pollinate the citrus and at the same time, they draw the fragrant nectar from the blooms to take back to the colonies. This controlled process helps ensure that the honey is either the orange or lemon variety. The honey is some of the finest in all of Italy. The members of the cooperative work very closely with the citrus growers to avoid the use of chemicals or pesticides. At this time, they are not certified organic.
- Traditions: Use with orange honey ice cream. Add to sweetened cream as a topping for strawberries. Use in sugar cookies or shortbread recipes.
250 gr/8.8 oz
