Sicilian Honey

Honey, known to the most ancient civilisations, has been produced in Sicily for thousands of years, but its flavour has changed over the centuries. This is not to suggest that the bees (the productive "Italian" variety Apis Mellifera Ligustica known the world over) have changed their methods. It's the flowers that have changed. In antiquity, wild flowers were the main source of nectar in Sicily, and in most other regions. The honey known in Italy as millefiori ("thousands of flowers") reflects this ancient heritage. Today, however, most Sicilian honey is made from orange blossom nectar or even eucalyptus nectar. Less often, the honey produced in Sicily is made from the blossoms of almonds and other trees. Bees are important for pollination; fruit production would be less were it not for the honeybee.