Heather is a wild briar shrub. Despite its thorny appearance, in autumn it blossoms producing pink flowers. In some areas where heather is ample the bees are able to collect enough pollen to produce an exquisite type of honey.

The essential conditions for this to happen are early autumn rainfalls. This is rare for the cretan climate, so producing this type of honey is challenging and doesn’t happen annually. In case, though, the conditions are met, heather honey is considered to be one of the finest types of honey in the world.

Heather honey is considered to have great nutritional value making it ideal for children consumption. It has a characteristic aroma and a taste that appeals to very demanding taste buds.

It crystallizes rapidly in 1 to 3 months. It is dark in colour, and after crystallization it takes a reddish hue.