Blossom Honey Research Articles

Thorough Investigation of the Phenolic Profile of Reputable Greek Honey Varieties: Varietal Discrimination and Floral Markers Identification Using Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Honey is a highly consumed commodity due to its potential health benefits upon certain consumption, resulting in a high market price. This fact indicates the need to protect honey from fraudulent acts by delivering comprehensive analytical methodologies. In this study, targeted, suspect and non-targeted metabolomic workflows were applied to identify botanical origin markers of Greek honey. Blossom honey samples (n = 62) and the unifloral fir (n = 10), oak (n = 24), pine (n = 39) and thyme (n = 34) honeys were analyzed using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-TOF-MS) system. Several potential authenticity markers were revealed from the application of different metabolomic workflows. In detail, based on quantitative targeted analysis, three blossom honey markers were found, namely, galangin, pinocembrin and chrysin, while gallic acid concentration was found to be significantly higher in oak honey. Using suspect screening workflow, 12 additional bioactive compounds were identified and semi-quantified, achieving comprehensive metabolomic honey characterization. Lastly, by combining non-targeted screening with advanced chemometrics, it was possible to discriminate thyme from blossom honey and develop binary discriminatory models with high predictive power. In conclusion, a holistic approach to assessing the botanical origin of Greek honey is presented, highlighting the complementarity of the three applied metabolomic approaches.

In-tube dynamic extraction for analysis of volatile organic compounds in honey samples.

Honey is the oldest and nowadays widely used natural sweetener for food worldwide. Its composition is associated with its botanical and geographical origin and honey is often mislabeled and has a high potential for food fraud. Thus, quick easy and sensitive analyses are required. For the first time, we developed and applied an automated, fast, sensitive and robust, in-tube extraction dynamic headspace in-tube extraction-dynamic headspace (ITEX-DHS) method for a variety of Honey containing VOCs in connection with GC-MS. Another advantage of ITEX is, that it is a green analytical solventless method. The method provides very low method detection limits (MDL) from 0.8 to 47ngg-1 for VOCs in honey samples as well as very good repeatabilities with averages below 9 % RSD. Recoveries are between 83 and 100 %. Only octanal possess a repeatability 13 % and a recovery of 62 % due to its high polarity. 38 honey samples were measured after method validation. Four acacia honeys (A), six forest honeys (F) and 22 blossom honeys (B). The type of six honeys was not known (U) but could be predicted with the help of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The LDA was carried out with the three groups (A, B, F) leading to a proportion of correct predictions of 90.6 %. With the help of a scatterplot, two of the unknown samples were classified as forest honeys and four of them as blossom honeys.

Identification of Seasonal Honey Based on Quantitative Detection of Typical Pollen DNA

Monofloral honey is produced from the nectar of a single predominant botanical species in a particular season and has certain unique properties. Valuable monofloral honey produced in a particular season with unique properties is often targeted for adulteration. Herein, a method for the identification of monofloral honey and determination of its production season was developed. Major nectar plants, including Prunus sp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Castanea sp., and Kalopanax sp., were selected to evaluate the honey produced between April and July in South Korea. Results showed that the highest amount of DNA from each plant was detected in the corresponding flowering season. The pollens tended to accumulate in the honeycomb after the flowering season. The accumulations result in an increase in the diversity of pollen detected in honey. Additionally, DNA quantity of each plant decreased in the samples as the number of plant DNA types increased from May to July. Moreover, the authenticity of the commercial monofloral honey samples showed only cherry blossom honey was found authentic, which exhibited the expected high amount of Prunus sp. DNA. This molecular tool is expected to be useful in verifying the origin of monofloral honey and its production season.

Purification and characterization of antifungal lipopeptide produced by Bacillus velezensis isolated from raw honey.

Raw honey contains a diverse microbiota originating from honeybees, plants, and soil. Some gram-positive bacteria isolated from raw honey are known for their ability to produce secondary metabolites that have the potential to be exploited as antimicrobial agents. Currently, there is a high demand for natural, broad-spectrum, and eco-friendly bio-fungicides in the food industry. Naturally occurring antifungal products from food-isolated bacteria are ideal candidates for agricultural applications. To obtain novel antifungals from natural sources, we isolated bacteria from raw clover and orange blossom honey to evaluate their antifungal-producing potential. Two Bacillus velezensis isolates showed strong antifungal activity against food-isolated fungal strains. Antifungal compound production was optimized by adjusting the growth conditions of these bacterial isolates. Extracellular proteinaceous compounds were purified via ammonium sulfate precipitation, solid phase extraction, and RP-HPLC. Antifungal activity of purified products was confirmed by deferred overlay inhibition assay. Mass spectrometry (MS) was performed to determine the molecular weight of the isolated compounds. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted to predict secondary metabolite gene clusters encoded by the two antifungal-producing strains. Using MS and WGS data, we determined that the main antifungal compound produced by these two Bacillus velezensis isolates was iturin A, a lipopeptide exhibiting broad spectrum antifungal activity.

Detection of Antibiotic Residues in Blossom Honeys from Different Regions in Turkey by LC-MS/MS Method.

In the present study, a total of 80 commercial blossom honey samples were obtained from local markets in Ankara, Turkey. These honeys were analyzed for 35 important and risky antibiotics (sulfonamide, tetracycline, macrolide, cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, quinolone, nitrofuran, chloramphenicol, and anthelmintic groups) by the LC-MS/MS multi-antibiotic method. In addition to these analyses, pH measure, moisture, and electrical conductivity were determined in these honey samples. Finally, seven out of 35 antibiotic residues investigated in the honeys were positive. The most frequently detected antibiotics in the analyzed samples were dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, sulfadimidine (sulfamethazine), and enrofloxacin as 58.75%, 22.5%, 13.75%, 10%, and 2.5%, respectively. Tetracycline and doxycycline were detected in only one sample. The pH, moisture, and electrical conductivity values of the honey samples were determined as between pH 3.78 and 5.41, 17.48 and 18.03%, and 0.25 and 0.47 mS/cm, respectively. In terms of food safety and human health, it is very important to monitor the residues of these pharmacologically active substances with analytical methods.

Green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles from turmeric and kinds of honey: characterisations, antioxidant and photocatalytic dye degradation activities

The environmentally compatible and cost-effective green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) was performed starting from bioactive natural materials, i.e., blossom, pine, chestnut honey, and turmeric extracts. The sizes, surface charges, morphologies, band gap energies, antioxidant, and photocatalytic activities of the synthesised nanoparticles were examined comparatively. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the crystallinity and purity of CeO2-NPs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicated that the CeO2-NPs synthesised have spherical shapes. Particle sizes of honey originated NPs changed as 1.23, 2.61, 3.02 nm for the blossom, chestnut, and pine honey, respectively. NPs obtained from turmeric extract had 6.08 nm particle size. The isoelectric points of CeO2-NPs were about 4 when the starting material was blossom and pine honey. For the chestnut honey and turmeric as starting material, the isoelectric points of NPs were about 6 and 9.5, respectively. The band gap energies changed between 2.80-3.21 eV. All green synthesised nanoparticles exhibited high antioxidant activities according to the DPPH method, changing between 32.4 and 64.5 μg ml−1 as IC50 values. Activity values increased in the order of blossom, pine, chestnut honey, and turmeric. All synthesised NPs reflected the literature antioxidant rankings of the starting natural materials. Thanks to the strong redox property of the CeO2-NPs, high degradation efficiencies (between 83.9 and 93.4%) were obtained for MB under UV light irradiation. The natural starting materials used created differences in the physical and activity properties of the NPs. Green synthesis of CeO2-NPs with new natural materials will expand their usage areas.

Physico-chemical properties of Ethiopian Apis mellifera Honey: Review

The aim of this review is focused on the physical, chemical, and antioxidant properties of Ethiopian honey such as moisture contents, reducing sugars (glucose and fructose), free acidity, pH, hydroxymethylfurfural, (HMF), phenolic compounds, minerals, and water-insoluble solid and enzymatic activity of honey. Generally, the average values of the parameter were within the acceptable ranges of National, EU, and FAO/WHO which was set as permission limit requirement for general blossom honey quality. Accordingly, HMF (9.46±7.11mg/kg), moisture contents (18.93%±1.92%), free acidity (23.2±10 meq/kg), pH (3.94±0.14) ash content (0.32%±0.13%), electrical Conductivity (0.41±0.16 mS/cm), water-insoluble solids (0.20%±0.07%), reducing Sugar (70.46%±3.5,0%), and Sucrose (2.75%±1.1%) of the honey was found to be low, this value suggesting that Ethiopian honey were of good quality. The total phenolic contents of honey were high and strongly correlated with the antioxidant activity/radical scavenging capacity. A large portion of research findings are not focused on medicinal value therefore, more research would be important to focus on honey from medicinal plants and to build up the possible relations between the bioactive substances in plant parts and their nectars.

Production and effects of green tea Kombucha with blueberry and orange blossom honey without caffeine as probiotic inhibitor of pathogenic bacteria

Kombucha is a probiotic drink of Asian origin, whose symbiotic relationship between acetic bacteria and yeasts provides a wide range of compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial power (against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria); thus, improving digestion and preventing chronic diseases. Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) of the Ericaceae family is one of the most studied and used fruits due to its high antioxidant benefits. In turn, orange blossom honey is one of several products rich in flavonoids obtained from the Citrus sinensis plant. Due to the high amount of phenolic compounds in these products, a homemade kombucha based on blueberry and orange blossom honey was developed to increase the beneficial properties of this probiotic, generating a value-added product. First, the tea fungus (SCOBY) was obtained in a caffeine-free medium of green tea and white sugar, through a process called "First fermentation". Then we performed a "Second fermentation" by adding the fruit and honey, giving it flavor and increasing its antioxidant properties. Finally, we tested it pleasant taste by means of a sensory evaluation of 30 people, which was statistically analyzed.

Botanical Origin Differentiation of Malaysian Stingless Bee Honey Produced by Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica Using Chemometrics.

Stingless bee honey, specifically honeydew honey, is generally valued for its better health benefits than those of most blossom types. However, scientific studies about the differentiation of stingless bee honey based on honeydew and blossom origins are very limited. In this study, 13C NMR spectroscopy was employed to quantify the seven major sugar tautomers in stingless bee honey samples, and the major sugar compositions of both honeydew and blossom types were found not significantly different. However, several physicochemical properties of honeydew honey including moisture content, free acidity, electrical conductivity, ash content, acetic acid, diastase, hydrogen peroxide, and mineral elements levels were significantly higher; while total soluble solid, proline, and hydroxymethylfurfural were significantly lower than blossom honey. Greater antioxidant capacity in honeydew honey was proven with higher total phenolic compounds, ABTS, DPPH, superoxide radical scavenging activities, peroxyl radical inhibition, iron chelation, and ferric reducing power. Using principal component analysis (PCA), two clusters of stingless bee honey from the honeydew and blossom origin were observed. PCA also revealed that the differentiation between honeydew and blossom origin of stingless bee honey is possible with certain physicochemical and antioxidant parameters. The combination of NMR spectroscopy and chemometrics are suggested to be useful to determine the authenticity and botanical origin of stingless bee honey.

Do Ginger Extract, Natural Honey and Bitter Chocolate Remineralize Enamel Surface as Fluoride Toothpastes? An In-Vitro Study.

In recent literatures, much attention has been given to natural products for their health benefits. In this study, the objective was to measure the efficacy of the ginger-honey-chocolate mixture as the remineralization effect has been shown in the literature previously and to evaluate the individual contributions of this mixture; ginger, natural honey, bitter chocolate separately on remineralization of initial enamel caries lesion. All specimens were divided into eight groups as: Ginger (Arifoglu®, Turkey) in powder form, (n = 8); Ginger-Honey-Chocolate (n = 8); Natural honey (Balparmak Plateau Blossom Honey®, Turkey) (n = 9); Bitter chocolate (Nestlé®, Switzerland) (n = 8); MI Paste (GC, Japan) (n = 8); Paradontax (Sensodyne, Glaxosmithklein, USA) (n = 9); Pronamel (Sensodyne, Glaxosmithklein, USA) (n = 9); Control (n = 9) groups. Samples were carried out five pH cycles along 7 days at 37°C for each group. During pH cycling, blocks were put in a demineralization (6 h) and a remineralization solution (18 h). The treatment consisted of 1 min. interaction of enamel surfaces with agent/deionized slurries (1:3 w/w) on a daily basis. The surface microhardness (SMH) was determined before and after pH cycling with a Digital Micro-Vickers Hardness Tester (Wilson Wolpert; Europe BV, 401 MVD, Netherlands). Mineral changes were determined by using FluoreCam® and recovery values were calculated as SMHR% and FΔ%, respectively. All groups showed an enhanced remineralization. There was no significant difference in terms of FΔ% (F = 1.223, P = 0.304) and SMHR% (F = 0.709, P = 0.664) between all groups. The herbals (ginger, honey, and bitter chocolate) examined in this study gave promising results with a high remineralization potential.

Effects of Cold Atmospheric Gliding Arc Discharge Plasma, Non-thermal Ultrasound, and Low-Temperature Oven Treatments on Quality Parameters of Turkish Blossom Honey

Effects of Cold Atmospheric Gliding Arc Discharge Plasma, Non-thermal Ultrasound, and Low-Temperature Oven Treatments on Quality Parameters of Turkish Blossom Honey

Relationships Linking the Colour and Elemental Concentrations of Blossom Honeys with Their Antioxidant Activity: A Chemometric Approach

The antioxidant activity of honey depends on the botanical origin, which also determines their physicochemical properties. In this study, a multivariate analysis was used to confirm potential relationships between the antioxidant properties and colour parameters, as well as the content of seven elements in five types of artisanal honey (rapeseed, buckwheat, linden, black locust, and multifloral). The type of honey was found to significantly influence most of its physicochemical properties, colour parameters, and the content of potassium, manganese and copper. Antioxidant parameters were shown to be significantly positively correlated with redness and concentrations of copper and manganese, but negatively correlated with the hue angle and lightness. The principal component analysis confirmed that the darkest buckwheat honey had the highest antioxidant activity in combination with its specific colour parameters and content of antioxidant minerals (manganese, copper and zinc). The level of these parameters can be potentially used for the identification of buckwheat honey.

Характеристика Українськиї падевих медів

The subject of research – dew honey is highly valued in the food industry, and the authentication of its origin, in particular the differentiation from blossom honey, the assessment of its safety and quality requires the use of adequate parameters. In this context, sensorial indicators are the primary attributes available for use by ordinary consumers. The said indicators, together with melissopalynological analysis, are the indicators of the botanical and geographical origin of honey. Physical and chemical parameters supplement the information on the characteristics of the localization of the samples, as well as assess their safety and quality. The purpose of the study was to determine the differences between the pollen spectrum, sensorial, physical and chemical parameters of Ukrainian dew honey of different regional origin. Methodology. To achieve this goal, the sensorial, physical and chemical characteristics, as well as pollen profile of 8 samples of dew honey were analyzed. The results of the study. For most of the criteria for assessing the physical and chemical parameters obtained during the study, the data can be considered as being within the ranges of parameters values established within the national regulatory framework for safety and quality of honey – DSTU 4497:2005 ‘Natural honey. Specifications’ and the Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine of June 19, 2019 № 330. However, all samples did not meet national criteria for the electrical conductivity and more than a half of all samples did not meet national criteria for the mass fraction of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The spectrum of pollen showed the presence of high content of spores of fungi, yeast, and green algae, the content and ratio of those differed due to the geographical origin of honey samples. The sensorial evaluation was performed for color, taste, aroma, consistency and crystallization, the presence of fermentation signs. The tendency to crystallize was detected in half of the honey samples, all samples were characterized by a brown range of different tinges, the smell and taste of each sample had a unique bouquet determined by the origin of honey. In one sample of honey with the high yeast content, the initial stages of fermentation were observed, which were accompanied by the presence of vinegar odor. The results obtained in this study indicate satisfactory quality, acceptable freshness, as well as the authenticity of each individual sample of honey. The special characteristics of dew honey differ from those of flower honey, therefore, it may be appropriate to revise the national regulatory framework to adjust the requirements for assessing honey safety and quality. Scope of research results is to apply the obtained results for further authentication of dew honeys for further study of their properties and wide application in the field of nutrition.

Physico-Chemical and Melissopalynological Characterization of Czech Honey

Geographical and botanical origin of honeys can be characterized on the basis of physico-chemical composition, sensory properties and on the basis of melissopalynological analysis. No comprehensive description of the characteristics of Czech honey has been published so far. This study provides insights that are important for correct classification. The study analysed 317 samples of authentic honey from randomly selected localities. Due to the diversity of the landscape, the typical honey of the region is blend honey with a predominance of blossom honey. According to the pollen profile and electric conductivity, the honeys were sorted into the following: Brassica honey (BH), Floral honey (FH), Fruit tree honey (PH), Honeydew (HD), Lime tree honey (LH), Robinia pseudoacacia honey (RH), and Trifolium honey (TH). Physico-chemical properties, including higher carbohydrates, were determined for the honeys and their pollen profiles were examined. The physico-chemical properties and pollen profile are partially in compliance with the description of European monofloral honeys, except for RH and TH. Although they had the highest proportion of acacia pollen, amounting to >10% of all the Czech honeys, these RH honeys differ from the European standard, so they cannot be considered acacia honey. Further, PH honeys and FH polyfloral honeys were described. Most honeys contained a significant proportion of rapeseed pollen, which is one of the common agricultural crops grown in the Czech Republic. All the analysed honeys met the parameters defined by the legislation. Due to direct on-site sampling, honeys were characterized by a low 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) content (3.0 mg/kg) and high diastase activity (24.4 DN). Honeydew honeys had the highest proportion of higher carbohydrates, primarily of Melezitose (4.8 g/100 g) and Trehalose (1.3 g/100 g). The presence of higher carbohydrates was also confirmed in LH for Maltose (4.6 g/100 g) and Turanose (2.4 g/100 g).

Discrimination of Tunisian Honey by Mineral and Trace Element Chemometrics Profiling

The concentrations of 19 chemical elements have been determined in 36 honey samples of different botanical (wildflower, eucalyptus, eucalyptus red flowers, prickly pears, lemon blossom, thyme, almond, rosemary and jujube) honeys from the three geographical areas of Tunisia (Sidi Bouzid, Nabeul and Sfax) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aim of this work was to use the multielement analysis together with chemometric tools to verify the botanical and the geographical origin of honeys. The correlation on the basis of mineral element content between the honey samples and their botanical and/or geographical origins was in some measure achieved. The data collected on the samples were also used to evaluate the nutritional quality and the potential health risks associated with elements via consumption of the Tunisian honey. According to the results obtained, the intake of essential elements was small, and the potential health risks associated with toxic or potentially toxic elements via consumption of this food were overall insignificant.

Differentiation of Honeydew Honeys from Blossom Honeys and According to Their Botanical Origin by Electrical Conductivity and Phenolic and Sugar Spectra.

Honeydew honey, due to its higher antibacterial and antioxidant activity in comparison to blossom honeys, is in high demand and of interest to consumers. Although a differentiation of blossom honeys from honeydew honeys by way of electrical conductivity is given in many cases, criteria for a differentiation of individual honeydew honeys, such as spruce, fir, and pine, however did not exist. For this reason, 93 authentic honeydew honeys and 63 non-honeydew honeys [35 blossom and 28 nectar-honeydew (mixed)] from 13 different botanical origins were collected within the framework of the current study, and their electrical conductivity and phenolic and sugar profiles were investigated. Results showed that the higher electrical conductivity (≥0.80 mS/cm), the higher protocatechuic acid content (≥3.5 mg/kg), and the higher percentage of the oligosaccharide content (≥120 mg/g) were suitable parameters for the differentiation of authentic coniferous honeydew honeys from non-honeydew honeys; a differentiation. A differentiation of the spruce, fir, and pine honeydew honeys however could not be reached. Through the analysis of 32 carbohydrates (2 mono-, 7 di-, 10 tri-, and 13 higher oligosaccharides) in only one run by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with an evaporative light scattering detector, marker substances can now be utilized for the classification of individual honeydew honeys. Sugar marker compounds such as α,α-trehalose, melezitose, theanderose, nystose, or maltotetraose in honeydew honeys in combination with chemometrics highlighted the good capability of sugar profiles to discriminate the honeydew honeys both from the non-honeydew honeys and from each other. All in all, a 96.75% correct classification of all studied 156 honey samples was achieved by sugar marker compounds.

The Antibacterial Potential of Honeydew Honey Produced by Stingless Bee (Heterotrigona itama) against Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria.

Scientific studies about the antibacterial effects of honeydew honey produced by the stingless bee are very limited. In this study, the antibacterial activities of 46 blossom and honeydew honeys produced by both honey bees and stingless bees were evaluated and compared. All bacterial isolates showed varying degrees of susceptibility to blossom and honeydew honeys produced by the honey bee (Apis cerana) and stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica) in agar-well diffusion. All stingless bee honeys managed to inhibit all the isolates but only four out of 23 honey bee honeys achieved that. In comparison with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli was found to be more susceptible to the antibacterial effects of honey. Bactericidal effects of stingless bee honeys on E. coli were determined with the measurement of endotoxins released due to cell lysis. Based on the outcomes, the greatest antibacterial effects were observed in honeydew honey produced by H. itama. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed the morphological alteration and destruction of E. coli due to the action of this honey. The combination of this honey with antibiotics showed synergistic inhibitory effects on E. coli clinical isolates. This study revealed that honeydew honey produced by H. itama stingless bee has promising antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic resistant strains.

Aliphatic organic acids as promising authenticity markers of bracatinga honeydew honey

This study aimed to differentiate bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) honeydew honey (BHH) from blossom honeys and BHH intentionally adulterated, all of them from three harvests, associating data of aliphatic organic acids (AOA) determined by capillary electrophoresis and chemometric analyses. The profile and concentration of AOA in pure BHH were similar between harvests, but distinct from blossom honeys. Succinic, glycolic, glutaric, malic, acetic, gluconic, and lactic acids were responsible for the differentiation between these two types of honey since they were the dominant variables (r > 0.80) in the principal component analysis. Based on this, the classification and regression trees method was used to develop a classification model considering these AOA. The proposed method needed only six of these AOA and adequately classified all blossom honeys and almost all pure and adulterated BHH. Therefore, the proposed model proved to be promising and reliable for verifying authenticity and fraud detection in BHH.

Importance of chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods in determining authenticity, classification and bioactivity of honey

Determination of the botanical origin and bioactivity of honey is crucial parameters that may effect health benefits and market value of honey. Melissopalynology is frequently practiced for identifiying its botanical origin, however, this study may sometimes not allow a clear authentication of its origin. Therefore, complementary methods as chromatographic techniques are recommended to accomplish the purpose. In this study, thirty-three Turkish honeys were first authenticated by melissopalynology and classified as honeydew and blossom honeys. Then, phenolic characterization and quantification in honeys were performed by high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) and a validated liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods, respectively and applicability of these methods in place of melissopalinology was evaluated. Pine, chestnut, and sunflower honeys showed individually characteristic HPTLC fingerprint. Key markers were quantified by HPLC and caffeic acid, one of the marker components, was found to be highest in sunflower honey as 2.63±0.04 mg/g. Honeys were further subjected to principal component (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HCA) analyses according to the key markers and pine, chestnut, and sunflower honeys were grouped independently. In terms of bioactivity, pine honey showed the highest antioxidant effect among investigated samples. Lastly, some phenolic compounds were found to contribute significantly to the antioxidant effect of honeys by HPTLC-DPPH.

Volatile Profile of Mead Fermenting Blossom Honey and Honeydew Honey with or without Ribes nigrum.

Mead is a not very diffused alcoholic beverage and is obtained by fermentation of honey and water. Despite its very long tradition, little information is available on the relation between the ingredient used during fermentation and the aromatic characteristics of the fermented beverage outcome. In order to provide further information, multi-floral blossom honey and a forest honeydew honey with and without the addition of black currant during fermentation were used to prepare four different honey wines to be compared for their volatile organic compound content. Fermentation was monitored, and the total phenolic content (Folin–Ciocalteu), volatile organic compounds (HS-SPME-GC-MS), together with a sensory evaluation on the overall quality (44 nontrained panelists) were measured for all products at the end of fermentation. A higher total phenolic content resulted in honeydew honey meads, as well as the correspondent honey wine prepared with black currant. A total of 46 volatile organic compounds for pre-fermentation samples and 62 for post-fermentation samples were identified belonging to higher alcohols, organic acids, esters, and terpenes. The sensory analysis showed that the difference in meads made from blossom honey and honeydew honey was perceptible by the panelists with a general greater appreciation for the traditional blossom honey mead. These results demonstrated the influences of different components in meads, in particular, the influence of honey quality. However, further studies are needed to establish the relationship between the chemical profile and mead flavor perception.