Honey That’s Pricier Than Gold? The Dangerous Harvest Behind The World’s Costliest Green Gem

Harvested from deadly Himalayan cliffs, this rare green honey is among the world’s most expensive. (Image-AI)

The idea of honey being as precious as gold may sound strange. Yet green honey is one of nature’s rarest marvels. Unlike common golden honey, it is produced in very limited quantities, making it extraordinarily expensive.

The defining feature of green honey is its rarity; the bees that produce it are few, and the conditions required for its formation occur only occasionally. Green honey forms when bees collect nectar from specific green-tinted flowers, an event that happens very rarely in nature.

How Is Green Honey Made?

Naturally occurring green honey is primarily derived from the nectar of special flowers. A famous example is Nepal’s Himalayan Mad Honey, produced from rhododendron flowers that contain grayanotoxins. This honey can appear pale green or have a deep green tint, influenced by wild flora, minerals, and environmental factors.

While places like Malaysia’s Kudat region and parts of Italy sell green honey blended with spirulina, the truly rare and prized variety is entirely natural. Nepal’s Mad Honey is the most well-known example.

Giant Himalayan honeybees build their hives on steep cliffs at altitudes above 3,500 metres. Members of the Gurung community risk their lives by climbing bamboo ladders to harvest it. This is an operation carried out just twice a year. Remarkably, producing just one kilogram of this honey can take an entire lifetime of bees.

Cost of Mad Honey

Mad Honey can cost up to $200 for just 100 grams, putting its value on par with precious metals.

Health Benefits and Risks

Green honey is not just sweet; it is believed to have mild intoxicating effects and several health benefits. It is said to boost immunity, relieve stress, and improve overall well-being. However, excessive consumption can be harmful and should be avoided.

Some of the world’s most expensive honeys also include Turkey’s Elvish Honey and Centauri Honey, harvested from caves located 2,500 metres above sea level. These can fetch prices of up to €10,000 per kilogram and often have a greenish or unique tint. While wild honey is found in India’s Himalayan forests, naturally occurring green honey remains extremely rare.