Francesca Biagioli This is the most expensive honey in the world, it is called elven honey and costs $5,300 for one pound
Elvish honey, so-named because of its “elven” origins, is a very rare delicacy whose price can reach $5,300 per pound and is considered one of the most exclusive and expensive products in the world. No other honey has such status because of its peculiar methods of production, the rare location from which it’s obtained, and for the extraordinary nutritional properties.
The most expensive honey in the world
Elvish honey is from Turkey, and it costs about $5,300 for one pound of it. A special kind of honey extracted out of 5,900 feet beneath the ground of Saricayir Valley near the northeastern city Artvin, in Turkey.
Local beekeepers explain that the high cost of Elvish honey is because it is produced totally naturally. Its quality is highly enhanced by the rich mineral composition of the cave from which it comes, making it of higher value in the market. Bees were first observed entering the cave in 2009, stirring speculation among beekeepers of the possibility of honey on the inside.
With the help of speleologists, the beekeepers were able to get into the depths of the cave and eventually retrieved 40 pounds of honey found in the inner walls of the cavern. Elvish honey has undergone specific tests in a French lab that have confirmed its high quality, which is rich in minerals.
The first 2.2 pounds of Elvish honey, was sold in France in 2009 for the astonishing sum of $47,700. The second kilogram was sold to a Chinese pharmacist in the following year for $29,700. Nowadays, the current price of Elvish honey is valued at about $5,300 per pound, packaging by 6 and 8 ounces. Considering the fact that its price almost beats that of a small car, there are very few people who can afford Elvish honey.
Benefits of Elvish honey
Elvish honey is not only famous for containing many minerals; instead, it’s also special due to its specific health benefits. The mix of nutrients and minerals, so rare in this honey, makes it an elixir by nature. Experts believe it could strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and even lead to better digestion. Some believe that it heals wounds because of its antibacterial properties, another factor adding significantly to its worldwide fame.
How it’s harvested
The procedure of gathering Elvish honey is fascinating and, in the same moment, hard. On one side, the beekeeper needs special equipment to go deep inside the cave and extract honey under really difficult conditions since humidity and temperature are two very critical factors in the final quality of the product. This traditional process, joined with exclusivity from the place this honey belongs to, increases the rarity and value of this product, making it accessible only for connoisseurs and aficionados of exclusive products.
According to the local beekeeper Gunay Gunduz, Elvish honey is consumed both as food and medicine. “The honey is produced fully naturally, without beehives. One of the factors that adds to its value is that the production area is very rich in wild and medicinal plants. Generally, Turkish honey is believed to be the best in the world. However, there is much concern by beekeepers on the spread of artificial honey, which always has a degrading effect on the demand for quality natural honey that is produced in Turkey. Excluding Elvish honey, the price should never go under $16 for natural Turkish honey.
