A honey that only happens once a year

Cherry trees on Mt. Jirisan bloom for just a few weeks, from late March into early April. In that short window the bees gather cherry blossom nectar, and Jirisan Hanbong bottles it as a small, once-a-year harvest.

Light, floral and gently fruity

Cherry blossom honey has a clean, balanced sweetness with a soft floral note and a hint of fruit. It's mellow enough to eat by the spoon and bright enough to stand out in tea.

100% natural honey, nothing added

This is pure honey straight from the hive: no sugar, no syrup, no additives. The bees make it, the beekeepers bottle it.

Bottled by hand in Jirisan

Every 400 g glass bottle is finished with traditional hanji paper and twine, the way it's sold in Korean department stores.

Deep, sweet and naturally thick

Golden, thick and slow to pour, it has real body. The beekeepers leave it to ripen in the hive so it keeps its full flavour.

From beekeeping families on Mt. Jirisan

Jirisan Hanbong is a cooperative of around 20 beekeeping families in the clean mountain country around Mt. Jirisan in Namwon. Most were born into beekeeping and now make, process, pack and sell their honey together.

Beekeeping master Kim Il-kwon has carried on his family's craft for over 45 years and two generations. Their honey is sold in well-known Korean department stores.

Filtered and bottled in a modern, hygienic facility

After harvest, the honey is filtered, bottled and packed in the cooperative's own clean production facility, with careful quality control at every step.

The test that proves it's real honey

The most reliable way to tell natural honey from sugar-fed honey is its carbon isotope ratio. According to the Korea Beekeeping Association, natural honey measures −22.5‰ or lower; anything higher points to bees fed on sugar.

Jirisan Hanbong's cherry blossom honey measures −23.5‰ or lower, well inside the natural range.

Carbon isotope standard from the Korea Beekeeping Association research institute.

Harvested once a year, in small batches

Because cherry blossoms bloom for such a short time, there's only so much of this honey each year. When a harvest sells out, the next one comes the following spring.

How to enjoy it

• By the spoon: one spoonful a day, straight from the jar
• In drinks: stir into warm (below 70°C) or cold water, tea or lemonade
• In the kitchen: use instead of sugar in dressings, sauces and baking
• On top: pancakes, yogurt, toast, cheese or gorgonzola pizza

A gift worth giving

The tall glass bottle with its hanji wrap and rope handle makes it an easy, thoughtful gift for family, friends or anyone who loves good honey.

Product

Jirisan Hanbong Premium Cherry Blossom Honey (지리산한봉 프리미엄 벚꽃꿀)

Contents

400 g, glass bottle (5 × 5 × 21 cm)

Ingredients

100% natural cherry blossom honey

Carbon isotope ratio

−23.5‰ or lower (natural honey is −22.5‰ or lower)

Storage

Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. No need to refrigerate.

Good to know

Natural honey can crystallize in cool weather. Warm the bottle gently in lukewarm water to soften it. Not suitable for infants under 12 months.

Maker

Jirisan Hanbong Farming Association, Namwon, Jeonbuk, South Korea

Country of origin

South Korea

Q&A

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