Chiuri Honey
Chiuri flower honey is a prized and distinctive variety of honey from Nepal, known for its rich flavor, high antioxidant capacity, and significant cultural importance, particularly to the Chepang community. It is produced by bees that collect nectar from the blossoms of the chiuri tree (Diploknema butyracea), also known as the Nepali butter tree.
Product Information
- Source: The honey comes from the white, sweet-scented flowers of the chiuri tree, which grows in the sub-Himalayan tracts of central and western Nepal at elevations up to 1,500 meters.
- Flavor and aroma: It is described as having a sweet aroma, a rich, fine taste, and a pleasant flavor.
- Granulation: Chiuri honey is noted for its fine crystallization, with a granulation that occurs even in warmer weather.
- High antioxidants: Harvested in the winter, the honey has a uniquely high antioxidant capacity, which contributes to its health benefits.
- Immune booster: It is used as a home remedy to boost the immune system and can help with coughs and influenza.
- Anti-inflammatory: The honey possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- Other medicinal uses: Traditionally, it has been used to treat various ailments, including allergies, asthma, and arthritis.
- Livelihood: The tree is a central component of their livelihoods, providing edible oil (chiuri butter), fodder, timber, and, most importantly, nectar for honey.
- Cultural symbol: The felling of a chiuri tree is often considered a serious offense among the Chepang, and the tree is traditionally given as a dowry to daughters.
- Economic asset: Beekeeping centered on chiuri is a significant source of income for many families in areas like the Makwanpur and Pyuthan districts.
- Natural and raw: Chiuri honey is typically harvested from bees kept in or near wild forests, with traditional, hand-extracted methods often used.
- Unprocessed: Raw, unfiltered versions of the honey are prized for retaining their natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.
- Ethical sourcing: Many cooperatives and businesses work directly with beekeepers to ensure that the honey is sustainably and ethically sourced, preserving the cultural heritage associated with the chiuri tree.