Extraordinary Slovak Beekeepers' Success: The World's Most Delectable Honey
In a remarkable tale of beekeeping excellence, the Voľanský family, who run a beekeeping farm under the Čergov mountains, have been showered with accolades for their exceptional honey, which is considered the finest in the world. Their dedication to quality and their unique approach have led to an impressive collection of awards and international recognition.
This year alone, the Voľanský beekeeping farm has earned 34 additional awards. These accolades were bestowed upon them at prestigious global competitions in Italy, Serbia, Dubai, South Africa, France, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Greece, and the USA. Notably, the farm triumphed at the Center for Honeybee Research competition in the United States, winning two world champion titles for the most delicious honey on the planet.
Their Bardejov honey excelled in the dark honey and medium amber categories, with the honeydew and forest honey varieties being recognized as the world's most delightful. These remarkable honey varieties, created in the pristine Čergov mountains and nearby areas, have made a mark as unique regional products with exceptional properties.
The Voľanský family's journey in beekeeping began over two decades ago, and they have steadily accumulated awards throughout the years. Notably, their legendary honeydew honey has received the most accolades in international competitions. Its exceptional qualities and distinct flavor are attributed to the natural conditions in which their bees thrive. Their honeydew honey originates from coniferous trees, where aphids feed on tree sap, excreting sugary droplets that the bees collect and transform into a unique and exquisite honey variety.
Jozef Voľanský, the founder of the beekeeping farm, explained the secret behind their exceptional honey: "Honeydew honey is truly exceptional worldwide, and its success is primarily due to the natural conditions in which our bees live. Unlike other types of honey, it is of animal origin, not plant origin. It all starts with aphids attacking coniferous trees, extracting their sap, and secreting sweet droplets. Bees collect these droplets and turn them into a one-of-a-kind honey variety with a unique taste and color."
The Voľanský family began their beekeeping venture with a single hive at the start of the 21st century, but their beekeeping roots stretch back more than a century. Despite the current challenges, including a drop in honey production due to adverse weather conditions, the Voľanskýs remain committed to the craft. They are selective about hive locations, avoiding areas where chemical spraying in agriculture is prevalent.
The declining health of bee colonies in Slovakia has raised concerns among beekeepers. The increasing number of beehives in the country has placed a significant strain on available forage resources. This has led to undernourished bee colonies and increased susceptibility to diseases. The best natural conditions for beekeeping are found in northern and northeastern Slovakia, in regions such as Orava, Brezno, and the entire Polonín area.
Jozef Voľanský, a distinguished beekeeper, expressed his concerns: "We've never experienced such a challenging year as this one. In a good year, a single bee colony can produce an average of 75 kilograms of honey, but this season, the average honey production per colony was around four kilograms. I have serious concerns that the golden age of beekeepers in Slovakia may be coming to an end."
Despite these challenges, the Voľanský family's dedication to preserving their beekeeping heritage and producing exceptional honey remains unwavering.
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