Aseer's blooming bounty: How rare flowers turn southern region into a year-round honey hub

Arab News

6 days ago

RIYADH: Each summer, as Aseer's highland peaks erupt in fragrant blossoms, local beekeepers begin harvesting some of Saudi Arabia's most coveted honey. Each variety is tied to a rare native plant and a fleeting blooming season.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this botanical diversity is what sets the region apart. Aseer accounts for 20 percent of the Kingdom's total honey production, according to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and is home to more than 5,000 active beekeepers. Backed by SR54 million ($14.4 million) in government support, the sector has become a cornerstone of Aseer's ecotourism and agricultural economy.
At the heart of this flourishing industry lies a simple equation: flower plus season equals flavor. In his book 'Honey Atlas,' researcher Dr. Ibrahim Al-Arifi documents the region's key varieties, from thick white Majra honey harvested off the slopes to golden Katad from valley-floor Acacia trees. Each one tells a story of soil, altitude, and survival.
Majra honey, extracted from the blooms of Teucrium polium in late summer, is among the rarest in the Kingdom. It is prized for its immediate crystallization, pale color, and intense sweetness, all traits linked to the plant's short blooming cycle and climate sensitivity. It grows only in the upper elevations of Aseer.
Majra honey, extracted from the blooms of Teucrium polium in late summer, is among the rarest in the Kingdom.
Katad honey, gleaned from Acacia hamulosa flowers between June and August, is known for its golden shine and moderate density. The drought-resistant thorny plant thrives in the region's valleys and produces honey credited with boosting immunity and energy.
By early fall, another Aseer staple makes its appearance. Salam honey is dark red and comes from bees feeding on the golden blooms of the Acacia ehrenbergiana tree, which grows in rocky, arid environments.
The famed Sidr honey, widely known across the Kingdom, is extracted between August and October. Its source, the Sidr tree, blooms in the valleys and plains of Tihama, Rijal Almaa, and Sarat Abidah. Dark golden, highly nutritious, and medicinal, Sidr is among the most expensive types of honey in the Saudi market due to its limited supply and high quality.
Further west, along the banks of valley streams, the bright yellow blossoms of the seyal tree produce a fall honey noted for its spicy aroma and dark amber color. Even some winter-blooming trees, like Al-Samar, begin flowering early in warm parts of Aseer. This allows early harvests of a rich, red honey with a deep, earthy flavor.
This steady cycle of flowering, foraging, and flavor has made Aseer a year-round producer of artisanal honey. From mountains to valleys, each bloom supports not just bees, but families, farmers, and the region's growing reputation as a hub for nature-based industries.
As demand rises for rare and organic honey, Aseer's deep-rooted knowledge and climate-resilient crops are helping to secure the future of beekeeping in the Kingdom, one blossom at a time.