Miel de Liébana

Miel de Liébana is a PDO honey produced in the comarca of Liébana, Cantabria, from two registered varieties: honeydew honey, derived principally from white oak and holm oak secretions alongside Erica and Rubus nectars, and monofloral heather honey, obtained from Erica cinerea, Erica vagans, Erica tetralix, Erica ciliaris, and Calluna vulgaris. Its pollinological profile reflects the coexistence of Atlantic, Mediterranean, and alpine flora within the delimited area.

About this designation

Miel de Liébana is registered as a PDO under file number PDO-ES-01196, with EU protection granted on 10 February 2014 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000015938). The designation covers honey produced by honeybees within the Liébana region of Cantabria, Spain, from two recognised varieties. Honeydew honey derives principally from white oak and holm oak honeydew, with Rubus spp. and Erica spp. nectars also present; monofloral heather honey must contain a minimum of 45 % Erica spp. pollen. The combined pollinic presence of Eucalyptus sp., Helianthus annuus, Olea europaea, Cistus ladanifer, Thymus sp., Lavandula stoechas, and Rosmarinus officinalis must not exceed 5 % of the total pollinic spectrum. Physico-chemical requirements common to both varieties include a maximum sucrose content of 5 g/100 g, maximum moisture of 18.6 %, HMF below 20 mg/kg, diastase activity between 25 and 55 on the Schade scale, and free acidity below 50 milliequivalents per kilogram. Processing temperature must not exceed 40 °C at any stage, and pasteurisation is prohibited. Extraction is carried out by centrifugation or decantation; pressing is not permitted. Bees are not artificially fed during the honey production period. The specification requires that smoker fuel consist of natural vegetable materials, specifically hay from the region and leaves of Quercus spp. and Laurus nobilis, producing cold smoke that does not alter the honey's characteristics.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 10 February 2014 under file number PDO-ES-01196 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000015938).
• Monofloral heather honey must contain a minimum of 45 % Erica spp. pollen; no other variety may carry the designation.
• Processing temperature must not exceed 40 °C at any stage, and pasteurisation is expressly prohibited by the specification.
• The combined pollinic presence of seven specified non-regional species, including sunflower and olive, must not exceed 5 % of the total pollinic spectrum.

Tasting notes

Cantabrian honey DOP from Liébana valley (Picos de Europa). Multiple varieties, characteristic alpine-flora profile.

HoReCa use

With Picos de Europa cheeses, including Cabrales and Picón Bejes-Tresviso.

Packaging

• glass-jar-250g
• glass-jar-500g