Division 5.3 Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

‘Miel de Sapin des Vosges’ is a product that is very closely linked to its area of origin since it forms part of an uninterrupted chain from the Vosges fir. From this species, aphids extract the sap which they process into honeydew, which is foraged on by bees to produce this very characteristic honey.

Its production is very closely related to the location of the conifer forests specific to the Vosges region, from which beekeepers have been able to draw and preserve their specific character.

In literature (Gonnet & Vache, Le goût du miel, 1985) there are references to the unique character of ‘Miel de Sapin des Vosges’, which is associated in particular with the regional, climatic and soil conditions. Its specific characteristics stem from the fact that the bees forage on honeydew produced by aphids living on Vosges fir trees (Abies pectinata). It therefore draws its specific characteristics from the following factors: the species of fir which is foraged and the nature of ‘Miel de Sapin des Vosges’ (honeydew honey).

Clearly illustrating this close interaction between the environment and the product is the cyclical pattern to the production of honeydew, which is linked to the growth cycle of aphid populations. To this day, this phenomenon remains largely unexplained.