Physicochemical attributes and pollen spectrum of Portuguese heather honeys

The qualities of selected honey samples of "Serra da Lousa" (Portugal) from three consecutive harvests (20 samples from each harvest) were evaluated b y determing the pollen spectrum and physicochemical attributes. The followi ng determinations were carried out: moisture, electrical conductivity, hydr oxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, pH, acidity (free, lactone and total) , formol number, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, insoluble material and ash. The samples were found to meet all major national and international ho ney specifications. Honeys were considered to be monofloral whenever the do minant pollen was found to be over 45% of total pollen. From the 60 studied samples, 70% were monofloral honeys from Erica sp., 17% monofloral honeys from Ericaceae (Erica sp. and Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) and 13% multiflor al honeys with a high percentage of Erica sp. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.