Vanilla Mainalon Fir Honey is the only Greek honey with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). It is produced from the black firs of Mount Mainalon in Arcadia and is a famous product for its taste and its low concentration of sugars. It is light in color and resembles something between caramel (pearl) and vanilla. This honey is not collected from the flowers but from a honeydew (resin) produced by some microorganisms in the trunk of the black fir. Another unique feature is that due to its low glucose content (below 30%) it never crystallizes, even after years. Extracting honey is extremely difficult and expensive because it requires the destruction of honeycombs. For this reason its production is very small and periodic throughout the years. Many beekeepers from the surrounding areas place hives in Mainalon but the production is still small. It is one of the greek natural treasures.
