ROSAS ORGANIC HONEY FROM BOLIVIA
AgroIndustrias Rosas S.R.L. is a Certified Organic Handler & Producer that has spent over 10 years working with the Indian families of Bolivia to produce the ROSAS brand of 100% Certified Organic Honey. We have developed an exclusive relationship for the production and commercialization of the honey produced in the pristine highlands of Bolivia.
The organic honey being offered comes from a remote section of the central highlands of Bolivia at an altitude of 6-17,000 feet. This region is 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the nearest area of cultivation where fertilizers and insecticides are used. It is a two and a half day’s walk over mountain trails with pack animals to get the honey to the nearest road.
The villages where the honey is produced are Totolima and Torreni. There are currently a limited number of hives or colonies for the market. Each family maintains their hives 5-7 kilometers apart from their neighbors. There are two harvest seasons – September to November and April to July.
There are no local pests. No fertilizers or insecticides are present in the entire area. The honey is extracted through a smoke process, centrifuged and decanted into stainless steel containers to remove impurities from which it is transferred to double clear plastic bags covered by black plastic bags. These are necessary to make them comfortable for the pack animals that bring the honey out of the area. The boxes that contain the hives are made from local cedar or laurel and are constructed without paint or glue. They are cleaned or replaced every two years. The bees in the area are a cross between the African, Italian and Carnicas.
The finished honey has a humidity of 14-17%. There are purported medical claims for each flavor/variety. There are 5 varieties of flowers, from which six flavors of honey are made:
Chi’llca - Baccharis Halimifolia. Of the daisy (Asteraceae) family. A tonic for stomach ache caused by cold, asthma, illnesses of the head, menstrual pain, inflamed joints, healing wounds, preventing infection or paralysis, nerve spasms and back pain from the cold.
Muña – Sage Brush. A species of the largest genus in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Good for stomach pain, indigestion, lower fevers, cure the gripe, anemia, breathing problems, beginning cancer, tuberculosis, insomnia, cough, sinusitis, rheumatic pain, other internal pain.
Salvia – Salvia Incana– Sage (different plant from sage brush). A species of the largest genus in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Fortifies the stomach, cleans the blood, improves appetite and blood circulation, improves memory, helps kidney ailments, hysteria, nerves, typhoid fever, helps nerve spasms, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, sore throat, inflamed testicles, prostate, gall bladder, liver, colon, malaria, renews menstruation, heals tuberculosis, epilepsy, irregularity and ulcers. Not currently available.
Sunch’u - Viguiera Multiflora. Member of the daisy (Asteraceae) family. A daisy like flower – a tonic for the heart and lungs, chest pain, palpitations, back pain, hoarseness, bronchitis, rickets, dysentery anemia, tonsillitis, sore throat, sore muscles or bones and arthritis. Not currently available.
Kh’ayara – Aloe. This genus of the lily (Liliaceae) family. High Altitude Mountain Honey, least available. Powerful antibacterial agents and high mineral content, makes it dark. Offers a unique taste experience. Not currently available.
Multifloral- Content: From mixed wild flowers. The production of this type is most easily expanded. Not currently available.
Bibliography: Flora Encyclopedia. Bolivian Quechua – English Dictionary; Health and Healing with Bee Products by C. Leigh Broadhurst ( Alive Natural Health Guides # 28 ) The Extraordinary Power Of Honey by Françoise Nahmias.
We welcome you to our store, please stop by for a Free Sample.
The creamy honey is only available through 2 stores in the whole of US, because of so limited access.
Please look at more pictures from the area below:
