Monofloral honey is honey derived wholly or predominantly from a single plant species, identifiable by its characteristic colour, aroma, flavour and pollen profile, and commands a premium over polyfloral varieties in EU trade.
In trade practice
Verification relies on melissopalynology, the microscopic counting of pollen types in a honey sample, with minimum pollen percentages for a given species varying by honey type and national practice rather than a single EU-wide threshold. Ukrainian exporters of acacia, linden or buckwheat honey typically commission pollen analysis from an accredited laboratory and include the report in the shipment documentation. Buyers should specify the minimum pollen percentage for the declared species in the purchase contract, as this is the most common point of dispute at EU border inspections.
In a specification
A specification for monofloral honey should name the botanical species, cite the required minimum pollen percentage as determined by melissopalynology, and require a laboratory report from an ISO 17025-accredited facility.