Ayder Honey is a type of honey produced within the geographical boundaries of Ayder Plateau, which encompasses the Fırtına Valley extending from the northern slopes of the Kaçkar Mountains to Ardeşen district, and the Kavron, Hala, Çat, Tunca, Durak, and Çayırdüzü basins, located within the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize province, Türkiye. This product was registered as a “designation of origin” on April 15, 2022. The product, with registration number 1081, was entered into the registration process with application number C2019/116 dated September 2, 2019. The geographical indication owner is the Limited Liability Ayder Hot Spring and Aşağı Şimşirli Agricultural Development Cooperative. The institution's headquarters are located in Kaplıca Mahallesi, Çamlıhemşin district, Rize province.

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Product Features

Ayder Honey is produced in two main types, depending on the flowering season specific to the geographical area: chestnut honey and multifloral flower honey:

• Chestnut Honey: Obtained especially from areas around Hala Stream. Its color is darker compared to flower honey. It may contain pollens from flowers found within the geographical area. In melissopalynological analyses, pollen of the Castanea sativa (chestnut) taxon is detected as the dominant pollen with a proportion of over 90%.
• Flower Honey: Generally a light-colored honey produced in regions extending up to the Kaçkar Mountains. Chestnut pollens may be present at a secondary level. In honeys where a dominant plant pollen cannot be detected, this honey is defined as “flower honey” based on secondary, minor, and trace pollen groups.

In both types, Caucasus hybrid bee race is used. This race's long tongue allows it to utilize nectar from deep-tubed flowers. In melissopalynological analyses, pollens of Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus, and Coronilla orientalis taxa are found secondarily.

Characteristics of Ayder Honey:

Beekeeping activities have a long history in the region defined by the geographical indication and remain one of the primary sources of livelihood for the local population. The abundance of water resources, diversity of flowering plants, and density of forested areas in this region lead to a relatively long flowering season. These environmental conditions provide a foundation for meeting the nectar and pollen needs of bee colonies.

Geographical and Ecological Features

The region where Ayder Honey is produced has a rich flowering plant cover, dense forest areas, and abundant water resources. This natural structure is important for the sustainability of beekeeping activities. The long flowering season in the region supports the natural feeding cycle of bees. Beekeeping is an economic activity for settlements within the geographical boundary.

Ayder Honey, (Generated with artificial intelligence.)

Production Process and Control Mechanism

Ayder Honey production is carried out within the defined geographical boundaries using registered beehives. Approximately 800 bee hives are placed in the production area for this purpose. All hives are included in a registration system established to monitor beekeeping activities. Products obtained from hives not included in this system are not allowed to be sold.

Wintering and Pre-Season Preparation

The bees used in production belong to the Caucasus hybrid race, and the wintering process is carried out within the geographical boundaries and its surroundings. Preparation work before honey production is also conducted in the same region. Only physical methods are applied during hive cleaning and maintenance; chemical interventions are not preferred.

Relocation and Positioning

In the spring, usually in April and May, bee-containing hives are moved to higher altitudes and placed on pre-prepared platforms. During this process, honey supers, i.e., frame combs, are added to the hives. From this point onwards, only maintenance and necessary pest control are carried out; no other operations are applied.

Hives are placed within a natural flight distance of approximately 10 km for bees, in areas allocated to each producer. The distance between hives varies between 200 and 500 meters, depending on the density of the floral cover and the number of existing hives in the region.

Agricultural Practices

In pest control, only agricultural products approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are used.

Honey Extraction and Processing

Extraction operations are carried out in July using traditional methods. During this process, bees are calmed by gentle smoking with a smoker. Frames taken from the honey supers are uncapped with a capping knife or capping fork, and then the honey is extracted using honey extracting machines. The extracted honey is rested for 1-2 days, then filtered again to remove remaining beeswax and bee particles.

Packaging and Storage

The cleaned honey is filled into 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg glass jars at the cooperative's filling facility and labeled. Packaging in different weights can be done upon request. Packaged products are stored at temperatures above 15 °C. On the labels, the honey type is specified as "flower honey" or "chestnut honey" according to analysis results.

Inspection Procedures

The production process is monitored through inspections coordinated by the Limited Liability Ayder Hot Spring and Aşağı Şimşirli Agricultural Development Cooperative. The inspection authority consists of relevant cooperative representatives, experts from the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Department of Molecular Biology, and the Rize Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. This committee, which must consist of at least three people, conducts routine inspections three times a year. Additionally, supplementary inspections can be carried out when needed or in case of a complaint.

Inspections are carried out under the following headings:

• Positioning of hives and wintering conditions
• Hive distances
• Compliance of extraction, filling, and storage processes with the production method
• Qualitative suitability of the product
• Correct use of the geographical indication, logo, and designation of origin emblem

Analysis and Tests

The following analyses are performed on samples taken after extraction or upon complaint:

• Pollen profile analysis (TPS10 – total pollen count in 10 grams of honey)
• Fructose and glucose contents (in 100 grams)
• Fructose/glucose ratio
• Moisture content
• HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) level
• Total phenolic content (by UV-Vis spectrophotometer)

The cost of these analyses is covered by the respective producer.

During inspection activities, support or services may be obtained from public institutions, private organizations, or expert individuals and organizations working in these institutions. Legal processes for the protection of the geographical indication are carried out by the registering cooperative.