Wild Cretan Thyme Honey

Discover one of the rarest and most precious honeys in the Mediterranean: Eugénie Sélection Wild Cretan Thyme Honey, hand-harvested in the wild mountains of southern Crete by the Koutantos family, beekeepers for 5 generations. An exceptional honey—raw, unpasteurized, with intense aromas and remarkable natural properties.

Available in 3 sizes: 280g (discovery size), 450g (family size), 980g (bulk size). Each jar is a concentrate of Cretan sunshine, wild thyme, and ancestral beekeeping expertise.

What is Eugénie Sélection Wild Cretan Thyme Honey?

Wild Cretan Thyme Honey is an exceptional monofloral honey, derived from the nectar of wild thyme flowers (Thymus capitatus) that carpet the slopes of the Cretan mountains at altitudes between 300 and 1,200 meters. Its production is entrusted to Sakis Koutantos, who moves his 800 hives with the help of his father and son within a 30 km radius, following the rhythm of the blooms.

• Origin: Wild mountains of southern Crete, Greece
• Koutantos Family: 5 generations of beekeepers, 800 hives moved by hand
• Altitude: 300 to 1,200 m — 300 days of sunshine/year, sea breezes at 15 km
• Harvest: Entirely traditional, by hand, without smoke, without heating
• Raw, unpasteurized: All enzymes and natural properties preserved
• Zero treatment: No treatments on plants or swarms. No added sugar
• Color: Light amber to golden
• Flavor: Intense, slightly minty, with notes of thyme and scrubland (garrigue), long-lasting on the palate
• Crystallization: Slow and fine—a sign of pure, unaltered honey
• Sizes: 280g, 450g, 980g

Why choose Eugénie Sélection Cretan Thyme Honey?

• 5 generations of beekeeping expertise: The Koutantos family carries on an ancestral beekeeping tradition in the Cretan mountains. Sakis, his father, and his son move their 800 hives together throughout the blooming seasons, a rare transhumant practice that ensures a monofloral honey of exceptional purity.
• Wild Cretan thyme, an exceptional plant: Wild Cretan thyme (Thymus capitatus) grows naturally on arid, limestone terrain under 300 days of sunshine per year. Its concentration of aromatic compounds and active ingredients (thymol, carvacrol) is significantly higher than that of cultivated thyme.
• Raw, unpasteurized: Hand-harvesting, without smoke or heat, preserves all of the honey's enzymes, antioxidants, and natural properties.
• Zero inputs, zero additives: No treatments on plants or bees. No added sugar. A wild honey in the strictest sense of the word.
• Eugénie Selection: A French selection house based in Beaussais-sur-Mer (Brittany), specializing in the research and promotion of exceptional artisanal producers, with full traceability and a direct relationship with the producer.

The benefits of Wild Cretan Thyme Honey

Antiseptic and antibacterial properties

Cretan thyme honey is naturally rich in thymol and carvacrol, the two phenolic compounds of thyme with powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Used since Greek antiquity to treat wounds and infections, thyme honey is one of the most active honeys in the Mediterranean flora.

Respiratory support

Recognized for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, thyme honey helps clear the respiratory tract in cases of colds, coughs, or winter infections. A spoonful in a hot thyme or lemon tea has been the go-to natural remedy in Mediterranean countries for centuries.

Antioxidant richness

Cretan thyme honey is among the honeys richest in polyphenols and flavonoids. Its harvest at high altitude, from wild thyme particularly concentrated in active ingredients, gives it superior antioxidant activity compared to most commercial honeys.

Digestive support and energy

The digestive and antispasmodic properties of thyme are found in its honey. A spoonful after meals promotes digestive tonicity and supports the intestinal flora. Its preserved natural enzymes (diastase, invertase) facilitate digestion and assimilation.

How to enjoy and use Cretan Thyme Honey?

• By the spoonful: as is, in the morning on an empty stomach or in case of fatigue
• In herbal tea: in an infusion of thyme, lemon, or ginger (water below 40°C to preserve enzymes)
• With cheese: perfect pairing with sheep or goat cheese
• In sweet and savory cooking: to glaze meats, flavor marinades, or Mediterranean sauces

Available in 3 sizes

Precautions

• Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age (risk of infant botulism).
• Store away from heat, humidity, and direct light.
• In case of allergy to bee products or thyme pollen, consult a doctor before consumption.
• Diabetics: consume in moderation and in accordance with medical advice.

See our range: Discover our Hive products and apitherapy range

Learn more: Read the article Manuka Honey — Choosing, using, and enjoying it