Malta - The Island of Honey

By Cecelia Owens

Malta, from the Greek word "meli" and the Roman "melita", means "honey" and it is for this reason that the island is still known today as the "Land of Honey".

In order to depict Malta as the Land of Honey many versions are available in guide books, however, one of the most acceptable and proven versions is the fact that the land of Malta is honey colored and hence the name was derived from this aspect. The golden glow emanating when bright sunlight strikes the specially colored golden limestone, which envelops the island, gave its name 'Melita', The Land of Honey, on the other hand 'Ghasel' is a popular name for honey in the Maltese language. This honey has been popular since ancient times because of its unbelievable structural feel and vivacious taste around the world.

The islands of Malta are also famous for its huge wild floral collection, which contained more than one thousand species including Borage Borrago officinalis, Wild Thyme Thymus capitatus, White Mustard Diplotaxis erucoides, White Clover Trifolium nigrescens, and Bitumen Clover Psoralea bituminosa etc. Thus honey collected by the honeybees from these natural flowers is another cause of naming the islands of Malta, Land of Honey as this honey has many medicinal properties that are usually used to treat cough and cold efficiently.

Of the plants the bees visit, many of which are thought to contain medicinal properties, the wild Thymus capitatus is considered the most potent. The Maltese honeybees themselves are thought to behave differently to their Mediterranean cousins and their behavior is currently the subject of study.

The Thymus capitatus flowers has an aromatic flavor in the summer, which the bees are fond of and it is then that the honeybees collect nectar from these fragrant plants. Beekeepers will also move to the upper ridges where these plants grow in greatest profusion. Beehives are generally located in the caves underneath these mountain ridges and as such are more difficult for the casual honey harvester to access.

As a person walks down the roads of one of the regions called Mellieha he or she can find numerous beehives. These regions are famous for the production of honey. Apart from Mellieha other areas where beehives can be found are located in the western regions of the Malta Islands like Gozo in Comino Island and Fawwara in Dingi Cliffs.

Thus, Malta, the Land of Honey is in real sense the land of honey as honey is found in plenty here with its special medicinal properties.

About the Author:

Cecelia Owens loves travel and she does freelance writing for the top South African travel comparison website, BestFlights.co.za offering Valletta Flights.