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Melikaros Ikarian Honey – Ikaria
Honey runs in the Lombardas family – https://meli-ikarias.gr/, as the beekeeping art and love for the never-resting creatures that produce it has been passed from father to son for three generations now.
For Vangelis Lombardas, who inherited the traditional family business and modernized it into what it is today, honey was an opportunity to return to his home island of Ikaria; a one way ticket for home made of honey.
The style of beekeeping in Melikaros, can be characterized as nomadic, since according to the season, the beehives are moved from the North to the South part of the island and vice versa, in order to capture best the essence of the type of honey they want to produce each time.
Due to its well-known rich biodiversity, the island of Ikaria makes for a unique area for producing honey, since whatever the type, it is certain that it will contain a multitude of secondary flora types, which enrich each type of honey respectively into a unique honey product. The company produces pine honey, thyme honey in small quantities and the very special “anama” honey, which comes from the native heather that grows in the mountainous areas of Ikaria and has a unique rich caramel taste with a beautiful thick texture, while it possesses many health benefits.
The honey of Melikaros, as Mr. Lombardas says, is produced just like it was produced by his father and grandfather before him, with the only exception of incorporating modern extraction methods instead of traditional ones. Nevertheless, its essence is untouched as it remains pure without a hint of preservatives; from the beehive straight to the jar.
We are proud to have Melikaros as part of our Aegean Cargo Sailing Network of producers!
