To solve the enigma we decided to visit the apiary to see if we could discover the source of our mystery honey. It didn't take us long to realise that the bees were consistently making a beeline to a tree about 50m away. The tree in question was alive with bees and plastered in large white flowers with prominent stamens and labelled as Eucryphia x nymansensis "Nymansay". Further research revealed that it was a hybrid between two Chilean species, Eucryphia cordifolia and Eucryphia glutinosa, produced from seed harvested in 1914 at the Nymans gardens, West Sussex, now a National Trust property. Two individuals were selected for their outstanding qualities and tentatively named ‘Nymans A’ and ‘Nymans B’. ‘Nymans A’ was later shown at the RHS show in 1924 and received an Award of Merit and was popularised under the name ‘Nymansay’, which was derived from the pronunciation ‘Nymans A’.

One of the parents of this hybrid, Eucryphia cordifolia, commonly known as ulmo, thrives in the Valdivian rainforest of south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina. This species is found along the Andes range, typically at latitudes of 38 to 43°S, can be found at altitudes of up to 2300 feet above sea level. Characterized by its thick trunk and broad crown, this tree can grow over 12 metres high and blooms in February and March, depending on latitude and altitude. The flowers contain a highly appreciated aromatic nectar, harvested by introduced European bees and commercialized as much sought after ulmo honey. 

Based upon peer-reviewed scientific studies, Ulmo Honey has been shown to have stronger antibacterial properties than Manuka honey and contains more than double the phenolic content of Manuka honey. It is much sought after by honey connoisseurs and has received a gold medal at the London International Honey Awards. Ulmo Honey's flavour profile is prized for its mild floral notes, appealing to those who seek a more delicate taste compared to the intense, earthy flavour of Manuka honey. It is known for its aromatic flavour profile with tasting notes of almonds, vanilla, and aniseed. It has a strong floral note and a slight astringent, minty-fresh aftertaste. The honey's taste is often described as sweet, fragrant, and exquisite.

The other Parent, E. glutinosa, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, growing to 5-6 m. It is quite rare in the wild with a relatively restricted distribution in central-southern Chile where if forms an occasional component of river-side habitats in a woodland understorey. Mature specimens reliably produce masses of white flowers during late summer attracting bees from miles around. Interestingly, the two Chilean Eucryphia species do not coexist in their natural habitats. Hybridisation could only occur when they were both planted in close proximity in the Nymans gardens in West Sussex.

Closer inspection of the gardens revealed more Eucryphia specimens in flower in the proximity of the apiary, attracting our bees like magnets. Native to Tasmania, Eucryphia lucida, commonly called leatherwood, is abundant in temperate rainforests in the west of the State where it enjoys up to 2.5 m of annual rainfall and is common from low elevation to sub-alpine habitats. It is a vigorous, fast growing component of these forests and dense thickets of it can regenerate in recently disturbed areas. E. Lucida is very important to the Tasmanian apiculture industry – over 70% of all the honey produced in Tasmania is leatherwood honey and relies on the nectar of E. lucida. Similar to ulmo honey, leatherwood honey is highly sought-after for its exquisite taste and strong anti-microbial properties.

The final source of our mystery honey was a row of wall-trained specimens of Eucryphia x intermedia "Rostrevor". Hybrids between the deciduous Chilean E. glutinosa and the evergreen Tasmanian E. lucida first arose in cultivation during the early 20th century. John Rodgers, head gardener to Sir John Ross-of-Bladensburg at Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland, spotted seedlings intermediate between the two parent species which were growing in close proximity. These were distributed among Sir John’s friends, including to Lord Aberconway at Bodnant. It was Lord Aberconway who first exhibited this cross, under the name ‘Rostrevor’, at the RHS show at Vincent Square on 1st September 1936 where it received an Award of Merit.

Although our mystery honey is neither pure ulmo nor pure leatherwood honey, it comes from trees and shrubs that are closely related Eucryphia hybrids whose parents are the same species as those that produce the prized honey in Chile and Tasmania. Our honey shares the same appearance, thixotropic consistency and tasting notes as the prized and leatherwood honey. In late August when this honey was produced, there was little else for our bees to forage on apart from the last remnants of fireweed and Himalayan balsam. Their mainstay of bramble and white clover blossom had long finished. In fact, in all of our other apiaries we were already in the process of supplementing the bees' winter stores by feeding them with baker's fondant. As far as I can see, we are unique in the UK in producing Eucryphia honey for sale. Although we prepare the hives at this location for a crop of Eucryphia honey annually, we only succeed once every 3 to 4 years due to the timing of the flowering, the vigour with which the trees are flowering and the weather. This year, the nectar flow was curtailed by the drought conditions even though the trees were flowering profusely at the right time! Consequently it is rare and we can only occasionally harvest a limited supply. I suspect that more Eucryphia honey makes its way into hives in the UK than we realise. However, this probably goes un-noticed as it appears in late August when the main crop has been harvested, regular hive inspections have ceased and beekeepers are treating their colonies against varroa mites and are feeding them up for winter. As previously mentioned, it was only by accident that we discovered this treasure in our hives. 

We plan to celebrate and share our unique 2025 crop of Welsh Eucryphia honey on 13th September both at the Conway Honey Fair and at the Egni Food Festival at the Menai Science Park. It will then be available for mail-order from Anglesey Bees' website along with our award-winning Spring and Summer Anglesey Wildflower honey.