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Leatherwood Honey

Leatherwood Honey

'Leatherwood Honey' is a unique and exquisite mono floral honey variety produced in the pristine leatherwood forests of Tasmania. It is celebrated for its distinct flavour profile and numerous health benefits.

Tasmanian beekeepers and honey producers reported a farmgate value of $7.4 million in the 2017- 2018 season with production estimated to be 406 tonnes of honey sold with an overall price of $18.23/kg. Of that, 173 tonnes (43%) being Leatherwood honey, which was estimated to be worth $2.5 million and fetching an average price of $14.45/kg (DPIPWE 2019).

Hives located in Tasmanian rainforest

The Tasmanian State Government set a target to sustainably grow agriculture to a farmgate value of $10 billion by 2050. The honey bee industry, though honey production and its associated pollination services, are pivotal to achieving this. As Leatherwood is the mainstay floral source for honey in Tasmania, the viability of the beekeepers is closely linked to the value of this local honey in the national and international market. To this end, studies reported here have been established to elucidate the characteristics and value attributes of Leatherwood honey to protect it against adulteration and to assist marketing narratives.

Producers

Tasmania's relatively untouched natural environment provides an ideal setting for honey production. The island's clean air and water contribute to the production of high-quality honey free from pollutants and contaminants. This pristine environment also supports the health and productivity of bee populations.

Tasmania’s natural environment allows artisan producers to harvest Leatherwood Honey, the most unique honey globally.

Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey Producers include:

Export Producers

Australian Honey Products HACCP, BQual, HALA, TAHG, Organic Certification OFC 0500, Export No 1856

Blue Hills Honey

Paradise Honey

R. Stephens Tasmanian Honey BQual. Certified Organic, Registration Number 107

Non-Exporting Producers

Sherwood Hill Honey Council approved honey extraction/packing room, Registration Number 776

The Honey Pot

West-Bee Honey Registration Number 323

Identification

Leatherwood honey is produced from the nectar of the Eucryphia lucida tree, commonly known as the Tasmanian leatherwood tree. The nectar collected by honeybees is transformed into honey with a distinct floral aroma, a pale amber colour, and a unique taste profile. Leatherwood Honey is defined on the following criteria:

a. Floral Source: Leatherwood honey must be sourced from the nectar of Eucryphia lucida, also known as the leatherwood tree, with a minimum required percentage of nectar originating from this tree (e.g., Pollen count 80%).

b. Geographical Origin: Leatherwood honey comes from the pristine leatherwood forests of Tasmania, with defined geographical zones including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Tarkine regions.

c. Honey Composition: Leatherwood honey should adhere to honey codex requirements, meeting the established standards for moisture content, pH levels, and specific gravity, ensuring its quality and purity.

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  Leatherwood flower
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  Hives in Tasmanian wilderness
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  Pure Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey
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  Leatherwood Flower and Bee
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  Frenchmans Cap
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  Harvesting in the wilderness
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  Harvesting in Tasmania
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  Leatherwood Flowers
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  Bees and Hives
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Honey Codex Requirements:

To meet international quality standards, Leatherwood honey should conform to the Codex Alimentarius guidelines for honey. These requirements encompass aspects such as moisture content, sugar composition, and various quality parameters. Compliance with these standards not only guarantees product quality but also ensures global acceptance and facilitates trade.

Flavour

Leatherwood honey is distinctive. Sommeliers define the flavour as clean and fresh with notes of balsamic and a lightly spicy finish – a perfect accompaniment on a cheese platter or combined in sauces to accompany seasonal vegetables. When Leatherwood flavour is measured using an e-tongue, compared to other honeys, it is distinct, having high umami and a pleasant bitterness that continues into the aftertaste.

Terroir

Eucryphia lucida is endemic to Tasmania and grows in the temperate rainforests at sub-alpine to low altitudes and thrives in a cool to warm, wet environment. It is a tall tree and produces prolific white blossoms of 2 – 3 cm diameters, which have a high nectar flow for 4 – 6 weeks in late summer producing best when between 100 and 150 years of age. It provides viability to the Tasmanian honey industry as the consistency and volume of nectar flow is awesome.

Eucryphia lucida trees produce a prolific show of white blossoms, and to attract flower visitors, secrete copious amounts of nectar from the base of the flower which the honey bees thrive on to make Leatherwood honey.

This rare species is endemic to Tasmania – confined to the wild, temperate rainforest regions. The trees flower late in the summer for a month each year. So, in the dying days of summer the honey bees produce an ochre-yellow, golden-coloured honey.

Production

Leatherwood honey production in Tasmania is a distinctive and intricate process, shaped by the unique characteristics of the leatherwood tree and the island’s environment.

The Eucryphia lucida flourishes in the ancient temperate rainforests of Tasmania’s west coast, particularly within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and World Heritage Area (WHA).

These trees bloom from late December to March, offering a short yet crucial window for honey production.

Beekeepers place hives deep within remote rainforests to access the leatherwood flowers. This often involves transporting hives by truck a task that demands meticulous planning and significant effort due to the challenging terrain.

Throughout the flowering season, beekeepers regularly visit their hives to harvest honey, facing unpredictable weather and difficult access. Adverse weather conditions can affect the availability and quantity of Eucryphia lucida nectar, adding further complexity to the process.

Tasmania’s pristine environment ensures that Leatherwood honey remains free from pollutants and chemicals, enhancing its unique flavour and purity.

To preserve its natural qualities, Leatherwood honey is extracted using traditional methods. The process involves removing frames from the hives, uncapping the honeycomb cells, and using centrifuges to spin out the honey without damaging the comb structure.

The honey is minimally processed to retain its natural enzymes, flavours, and health benefits.

Leatherwood Honey Logo

The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association has developed a logo to graphically identify genuine Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey.

References