Kombu honey: Dwarf bees at work

 Tiny buzzing yellow bees concoct a golden elixir consumed by many, infants to old adults, on toasts and tempura, smoothies to shakes, for breakfast or dinner. This nature’s nectar is a gift by the bees to humankind, and honey rearing is a valuable activity for the sustenance of many apiculture farmers and communities that live closer to nature. With the commercialization of honey and the market presence of less pure variants, the quest for hive-to-bottle honey remains

One such variety is the Kombu honey, where Kombu translates to ‘dwarf.’ The red dwarf bees (Apis florea) are native to the Indian and Malaysian subcontinent. The Kombu honey is a sweet product of labor from the worker bees that are considered rare and special for these reasons

The dwarf bees build single vertical combs made of wax or plant resin. A typical colony like this would only yield 200g-1kg of honey as opposed to the generous yield of 15-30 kgs per colony of regular bee species. For perspective, large drone bees produce 40 times more honey than stingless worker bees that make Kombu honey rare and precious. The small size also means that the dwarf worker bees fly shorter distances and maintain proximity with their pollinators enriching the honey with a high pollen content. The specialty can be attributed to the high fructose content, which tops in ratio to glucose. The rich fructose content adds a sharp sweetness even when used in smaller quantities. 

The distinct flavonoids and phenolic compounds that constitute Kombu honey have biological significance that shares the properties of: 

• Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory
• Rich source of antioxidants 
• Soothes gastrointestinal tract disorders and ulcers 
• Topical application for first-degree burns 
• Speeds up wound healing 
• Cholesterol and lipid-lowering ability 

It is advised that the use of Kombu honey in case of any serious disorder be guided by doctors or medical practitioners. 

Every season that passes over a geographical range of native flora that hosts the bees influence the nutrient composition and flavor of the yield. This understanding defines nature conscious and ethical practice of honey rearing that is culturally inherited by the tribal communities of the Eastern and Western ghats in India.  Wild Honey Hunters are a manifestation of these practices who offer the most sustainable source of honey from their association with the hunter-gatherer communities at the heart of dense ghats. The cruelty-free, unprocessed, and cold-pressed Kombu honey is a special variety available only at Wild Honey Hunters making it the best honey available online across the country.