Shangdang Raw Honey

Shangdang Raw Honey

　　Shangdang raw honey is a specialty of Huguan County in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. In Chinese folk terms, the Chinese honeybee is commonly known as the "local bee," and only the honey produced by this type of bee is called raw honey. Shangdang raw honey is derived from the nectar of various plants in the local alpine forests. The honey has a deep color, a fragrant and rich taste, and contains a variety of trace elements that can be directly absorbed by the human body. Owing to its long fermentation cycle and rare nectar sources, it is acclaimed as a “rare delicacy among honeys.”

　　Shangdang, located in the southeastern part of Shanxi Province, was an elegant ancient name for Changzhi. In Xunzi, it is referred to as “Shangdi.” The meaning of “Shangdang” is a high or upper place, literally meaning “situated atop the Taihang Mountains, where the terrain is the highest and neighbors the heavens,” and due to its strategically perilous terrain, it has been a contested military stronghold since ancient times. It is often said that “he who controls Shangdang commands the Central Plains.”

　　Raw honey, also known as wild bee honey, is produced by Chinese honeybees collecting nectar from a wide range of local wildflowers. It has a limited yield, is raised in mountainous regions without pollution, and is more effective than traditional honey in terms of beauty, weight loss, and health care.

　　Raw honey is rich in organic acids, proteins, vitamins, enzymes, and other bioactive substances. It helps lubricate the intestines and lungs, detoxify the body, beautify the skin, boost the immune system, and combat aging. It also plays a role in protecting the cardiovascular system and coronary arteries, nourishing heart muscles, improving heart function, and regulating blood pressure.

　　Features

　　1. Raw honey has a low yield.

　　2. Raw honey has a much finer texture.

　　3. Local bees do not require artificial feeding, so the honey is purer and free from white sugar.

　　4. No medication is used, as Chinese honeybees are highly resilient and less prone to illness, so the honey contains no drug residues.

　　5. Local bees live in mountainous areas, so there is less pollution. The honey is often scattered among various types of flowers, with not many in quantity but a wide variety, resulting in richer nutrition and more diverse components. The so-called medicinal honey comes from the exceptionally diverse and clean variety of flowers collected by local bees.

　　6. Local bees are cold-resistant and make excellent use of winter and spring eri silva honey (also known as wild osmanthus honey), which Italian bees simply cannot utilize. This type of honey is often referred to as the “honey emperor.” It can be wrapped in paper without seeping and looks particularly like lard, yet it has a fragrant yet non-greasy taste. Fake honey sold on the streets often smells overly fragrant, which is actually the scent of artificial flavoring. In contrast, genuine raw honey has a golden-yellow color, a unique taste, and is pure and free from impurities. It is rich in organic acids, proteins, vitamins, enzymes, and other bioactive substances, offering benefits such as intestinal lubrication, lung moisturization, detoxification, skin beautification, and enhanced immunity.

　　Main Benefits

　　1. Longevity: Comprehensively regulates bodily functions

　　2. Promotes the growth and development of children and prevents malnutrition

　　3. Enhances beauty, moisturizes skin, prevents wrinkles and removes spots

　　4. Aids digestion and absorption, increases appetite

　　5. Antibacterial effect, enhances immunity

　　6. Regulates cardiovascular system function

　　7. Liver protection: Helps regulate chronic hepatitis

　　8. Sleep-inducing effect: Effective against insomnia and vivid dreaming

　　9. Laxative effect: Clears heat and detoxifies

　　10. Eliminates fatigue, enhances physical strength

　　Shangdang raw honey is a national geographical indication product.

　　Geographic Range

　　The production area of Shangdang (an ancient name for Changzhi City) raw honey includes Huguan County in Changzhi City; Qiaoshang Town, Huangshan Township, Shuzhang Town, Jinzhuang Town, and Baichi Town in Huguan County; Chengjia Mountain Town in the southern district of Licheng County, and the northern region of Licheng County; Tunliu County, Yuwu Town, Wuyuan Town, Zhangdian Town, Fazhong Township, Zhongyu Township, and Jiaokou Town in Qinyuan County. The geographical coordinates are between 112°14'–112°51' east longitude and 36°21'–36°37' north latitude, covering a total production area of 1,200 hectares. Currently, the annual production of Shangdang raw honey is 40 tons. In five years, it is expected to reach 150 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External sensory characteristics: At room temperature, Shangdang raw honey appears deep amber in color, fluid-like, clear and transparent like light oil, semi-crystallized, and turns waxy after crystallization. The colors vary uniquely, and it has a sweet and smooth taste with a fragrant and pleasant aroma of assorted wildflowers. 2. Internal quality indicators: The total content of fructose and glucose is ≥60.2%, amylase activity is ≥7.14 mL/hg, total magnesium content is ≥1.05 mg/100g, total calcium content is ≥6.78 mg/100g, total potassium content is ≥70.7 mg/100g, and total amino acid content is ≥70.7 mg/100g. 3. Safety requirements: Product quality and safety comply with mandatory and recommended national physicochemical standards. Safe production follows GB14963 standards as well as legal, regulatory, and related standard requirements. 4. Packaging and labeling regulations. Containers that come into contact with honey, including raw honey tanks and finished product tanks, as well as complete production equipment such as filters and mixing tanks, must meet the requirements of China’s GB18796—2005 standard. Trademark design and labeling must conform to GB191 standard specifications, while packaging boxes and gift boxes must comply with GB7718 requirements.