Palynological characterization of honeys from Galicia (Northwest Spain)

Abstract

The pollen content of a total of 530 honeys from the major beekeeping areas of Galicia (Northwest Spain) was analysed using the methods of Louveaux et al. (1978). The results indicate that Galician honeys can be divided into 5 groups in which the relative proportions of the five most abundant pollen types (Castanea saliva, Eucalyptus globulus, Rubus spp., Cytisus‐type and Erica spp.) vary between the different production areas. Honeydew is typically absent or present in negligible amounts and the total pollen content is typically low (despite the fact that the most important pollen types, Castanea and Eucalyptus tend to be over‐represented). Other pollen species such as (Diplotaxis erucoides, Hypecoum procumbens, Olea europaea, Cistus ladanifer, Helianthus animus, Citrus spp. and Lavandula spp.) which are abundant in honeys from the Mediterranean areas of Spain are absent or present only in very small amounts.