A rigid assessment process to ensure the quality of awarded longan and litchi honey
The AFA indicates that Taiwan has 1,182 registered beekeeping households, raising about 197 thousand bee colonies each year. As a year of full spring blooms, 2021 had less precipitation, which enabled more frequent honey harvests. Throughout the harvest season of litchi and longan honey between March and May, suitable temperatures helped yield honey superior in both quantity and quality. The strong aroma and bold taste are impeccable compared to previous years. Therefore, this year the AFA decided to continue guiding Taiwan Beekeepers Association to host the “National Quality Assessment of Domestic Longan and Litchi Honey” as a means to improve the quality and popularity of domestic honey.
The AFA elaborates that litchi honey is one of Taiwan’s primary honey types. It has a light and delicate taste and releases a subtle litchi flower scent. Last year, litchi honey was included in trial assessments and met with high popularity. So this year litchi honey became a formal part of the assessment to provide consumers with more options.
The assessment consists of preliminary and secondary rounds. All 250 of this year’s assessed honey products were tested free of 11 antibiotics and 383 pesticides, showing bee farmers’ attention to honey quality and concern for consumer safety. In compliance with disease control measures, the secondary round invited 12 scholars and experts to conduct assessments online. Streaming technology allowed judges at different locations to simultaneously conduct blind tests on honey samples and evaluate their flavor. Through this process, 19 longan honey contestants were given the Excellence Award and 114 were given the First Grade Award. As for litchi honey, six were given the Excellence Award and 36 were given the First Grade Award. In total 25 distinguished bee farmers have received awards.
Participating honey available in limited quantities, act now before the supply runs out
The AFA indicates that all assessed domestic honey must bear a traceable QR code and a certified domestic honey label. Contestants are also required to submit samples in 300-kg jars sealed with an annual assessment label. The winning honey can only be devised into 406 jars (each 600ml in volume, 700g in weight) at most. Every bottle will be assigned a sequential code for tracking and control. On the other hand, to increase the public’s understanding of and trust in domestic honey. Parts of participants have also received TAP (Traceable Agricultural Product) certification. As long as you see honey jars that come with a TAP label and certified domestic honey label, you can tell that they are quality honey genuinely originated from Taiwan.
The AFA stresses that it has assisted Taiwan Beekeepers Association in establishing “Management Direction for Issuing Certified Domestic Honey Label” to oversee the review and labeling works on domestic honey. Each bottle of labeled honey is guaranteed to pass corresponding tests for optimal quality. For information on where to buy genuine Taiwanese honey, please visit the website of the AFA (http://www.afa.gov.tw, click through tab Frontpage/Information on Agricultural Food Product/Domestic Honey Products (首頁/農糧產品消費資訊/國產蜂產品專區)), Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (http://www.mdais.gov.tw), or Taiwan Beekeepers Association (http://www.bee.org.tw, +886-4-23713681 or +886-4-23713621).
