Sign in

Sign in with:

Skip to content

A special 10% off on your first order! WELCOME10

Nepal & Turkey: The True Origins of AuthenticΒ MadΒ Honey

What makes mad honey truly special is its rare and limited supply. Found in Nepal and Turkey, it seamlessly blends two rich and one-of-a-kind cultures. Only these two countries can proudly share their dearly hidden treasures with the world.

The mountainous country is renowned for its wild mad honey, harvested at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters, while Turkey produces its mad honey from carefully cherished hives in the Black Sea region, where around 75% of the country’s rhododendron blooms thrive.

Mad Honey from Nepal:
A Taste from HimalayanΒ Cliffs

With an altitude ranging from 3500 meters and above, cold climate, humidity and soil conditions the concentration of Grayanotoxin in Rhododendron is more as compared to Rhododendron found in other regions. Hence, the nectar collected by the Himalayan Giant Bees produces the most potent Mad Honey in Nepal and is famous around the world for this reason.

Among several Rhododendron Honey regions places like Lamjung, Gokha, Mustang, Dolpa, Jajarkot and Rukum are common areas for harvesting of mad honey in Nepal. The Gurungs, Kulungs, Thakalis, Rais and Lhopas are the indigenous harvester communities known for harvesting honey in these areas. They are the skilled honey hunters of the region who scale the high cliffs known as Himalayan Mad Honey sources.

The traditional honey hunting process of mad honey from the cliff gives a unique selling point to Nepal mad honey rather than commercialized mad honey harvesting in other regions. The sustainable and traditional honey harvesting is adventurous to watch and experience along with tasting the wilderness straight from the hive.

Mad Honey from Turkey:
A Taste of Anatolia

The black sea region of Turkey is also famous around the world for mad honey production on steep and mountainous coastline. The pontic mountains across the southern coast and the Caucasus Mountains along the eastern coast make the environment favorable for Apis Laboriosa. in terms of Climate and Geography, the cold and cool temperature is suitable for the thriving of Apis Dorsata and for the production of Turkish Mad Honey.

The honey harvesting process is completely different in Turkey as compared to Nepal. In Turkey the hives are placed by beekeepers up high in trees so the natural predators like bears and others can't access it easily. While in Nepal the hives are made by Himalayan Giant bees high in the cliffs which can only be harvested by honey hunters as a bounty for their life taking efforts. Also the concentration of Grayanotoxin is less in Turkish Mad Honey as compared to the one harvested in Nepal.

Known as Deli bel, the turkish mad honey has been within a long historical record for production and consumption in the country. Dating back to 401 BC, in the written scriptures of Xenophen of Athens,Β  he mentioned the disoriented, vomiting and diarrhea effects of Black Sea Honey on the Greek army after the consumption. Another history of mad honey accounts between 60-100 BC, when Pompey the Great's army was ambushed by Mithridates VI's forces. He used Mad Honey as a biological weapon against Roman soldiers, the soldiers after ingestion fainted and experienced delirium.

Our Best Seller Mad Honey - High Potent | Try Pack Size: 250g | 8.8 oz.

Premium Mad Honey is a rare and natural honey harvested from the mountainous regions of Nepal and Turkey, derived from Rhododendron flowers. It is known for its therapeutic and mild psychoactive properties.

madhoney Features

Mad Honey

How is Mad Honey Made?

Mad honey is made by honeybees that collect nectar primarily from certain species of rhododendron flowers, which contain grayanotoxins, the compounds responsible for the honey's psychoactive and toxic effects. Here's how the process works:

Purple Rhododendron for Mad Honey Nepal

Step 1

Bee Foraging: Nature’s Treasure Hunt

In areas where rhododendrons grow, especially in the mountains of Nepal and Turkey, bees actively gather nectar. These flowers are essential because they contain grayanotoxins, which make mad honey unique compared to regular honey.

A bee collecting nectar from pollen of wildflower

Step 2

Processing Nectar: The Secret Magic of Honey Making

Once collected, bees return to their hives and place the nectar into honeycomb cells. Through a careful process of regurgitation, natural enzymes, and dehydration, the nectar transforms into the thick, golden honey we know.

A bee collecting nectar from a flower

Step 3

Toxin Concentration: The Essence of Unique Power

As the nectar is turned into honey, the grayanotoxins become more concentrated, giving mad honey its unique qualities and potential health benefits. This characteristic can vary based on the specific flowers and environmental conditions.

Apis Laboriosa the Himalayan giant bee

Step 4

The Thrill of Harvesting: A Journey to Collect Mad Honey

Mad honey is harvested from hives found in high-altitude areas. Skilled honey hunters often scale cliffs to reach wild hives, while in Turkey, it is more commonly collected from beekeepers’ hives.

Key Characteristics of Mad Honey

The buzzing honey is set apart from the rest of the delicacies because of its special features. Discover the quirks of the honey, which has been celebrated and approached with caution for centuries.

Psychedelic Effect

Grayanotoxin is one ingredient that comprises the eccentricity of the honey. The rhododendron flowers contribute to the psychedelic effects of honey. It is the only honey known to soothe nerves and alleviate stress, keeping you at ease and peace.

Naturally Harvested

Following an old-age tradition passed down from their ancestors, the Gurung community hunts for honey without any additional tools.Β  As a result, mad honey is 100% pure without any additives

Rare Available

Only spring and autumn is favorable for the collection of authentic honey. Due to its collection only twice a year, plus the intense process, mad honey is rarely available.

Borrowed from Nature

Immensely skilled honey-hunting artisans collect the rare honey from the lap of nature. It is an amalgamation of pristine mountains and the essence of the wild. Each drop of mad honey speaks volumes of its origin that is truly innate to nature.

Harvested Like No Others

The journey of harvesting honey from hive to jar is an outcome of unwavering dedication. Our fearless honey hunters risk their lives scaling the frightening cliffs with minimal equipment to collect the nectar. The remote location, intense process, and fewer men make the entire honey hunting exciting and alarming.

Mad Honey Hive

files/Group_27996.webp

Fearless Gurungs

When a boy takes birth in the Gurung community, he has a close friendship with the red honey and bees. And, when he is barely ten, he goes with his father, grandfather, or uncles to witness the complete adventure of honey hunting.Β From his early days, he has adopted a strong belief to save his culture, and 'saving his culture' now has become his only way to put bread on the table.

files/Group_27995.webp

Giant Nectar Loving Honeybees

Apis Dorsata Labiorasa or as the locals call it, β€œThe Giant Honeybee”, is the world’s largest honey bee with stings even fiercer. The giant colonies of honeybees guard their mad honey dearly. Hence, a little reckless step towards them, they feel rage.Β As a result, we all can imagine what happens next - the stingers attack the group of honey hunters with their pricking bites.

files/Group_27994.webp

Harvesting Mad Honey in Nepal

When a boy takes birth in the Gurung community, he has a close friendship with the red honey and bees. And, when he is barely ten, he goes with his father, grandfather, or uncles to witness the complete adventure of honey hunting.Β From his early days, he has adopted a strong belief to save his culture, and 'saving his culture' now has become his only way to put bread on the table.

Chemical Composition of Mad Honey

While any natural honey offers its share of health benefits, mad honey stands apart due to its unique blend of compounds. It’s not just about sweetnessβ€”it’s about what lies within. Grayanotoxins I-III, phenolic compounds, glucose, and essential minerals are what make it powerful.

Ingredients of mad honey on a bottle of mad honey from medicinal mad honey