Log-Hive Honey Varieties and Prices

A ‘karakovan’ is a traditional hive hollowed from a tree trunk; instead of building on a prepared frame, bees build the comb themselves inside the log. Log-hive honey is the honey that comes from this hive with its comb, without extraction. It differs from ordinary honey in the hive and in the absence of an extraction step; the table above places the three methods side by side.

Because bees build the cells by hand, they are irregular: rows may curve and cell sizes differ. Honey built on ready-made foundation comb has perfect hexagons and straight rows. Honey flows slowly from a cut surface and the wax does not break apart when chewed. These are clues, not proof: the most reliable route is honey whose producer and hive are known.

The current per-kilo price is shown in the product card above; because we sell this category only in a 1 kg size, the card price is directly the per-kilo price. It is costly because yield is low: bees build wax from scratch, so the same effort produces much less honey, log hives are made by hand and harvest takes place once a year.

Traditionally it is preferred for throat irritation, breakfast energy and seasonal transitions; chewing it with the comb keeps honey in the mouth longer. Its difference from extracted honey is that it is unprocessed, not a known treatment effect. Honey is a food and does not replace any treatment or medicine.

In Türkiye, log-hive honey is first associated with Hizan in Bitlis, Pervari in Siirt and Bingöl; in the eastern Black Sea, Borçka, Camili (Macahel) and the Yusufeli area of Artvin are known. Our log hives stand in villages and highlands around Ardanuç; we do not sell honey from other regions.

It is consumed with its comb by chewing; beeswax is harmless and can be discarded after chewing like gum or swallowed. Serve it in small pieces at breakfast with cheese and butter. No honey of any kind should be given to infants under one year old.

Its colour ranges from dark amber to brown and its wax is dark yellow; it does not resemble the clear appearance of extracted honey. Its taste is intense and its aroma pronounced. Because it is not extracted, beeswax, pollen and traces of propolis remain with the honey, and it receives no heat treatment. Honey is a food, not a medicine.

Store comb honey at room temperature between 18 and 24 °C in a dry place away from sunlight. Refrigeration is unnecessary because it hardens the wax. Keep the container closed, as comb absorbs odours quickly. Take cut pieces with a clean, dry spoon.