Honey legislation has been addressed to establish the minimum marketing level of the product and the need
for consumer protection through correct denominations. Research oriented toward assessment of floral
origin and physicochemical properties may increase the commercial value of these products. The
characteristics of thirty-one honeys produced in the Entre-Douro e Minho region in Portugal were studied.
Pollen features and some physicochemical parameters (moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical
conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural contain, apparent sucrose, reducing sugars and diastase activity) were
determined. The samples were found to meet international honey specifications. The present study found a
linear regression between the ash content of honeys and their specific conductivity. Five samples are listed as
Eucalyptus honey, one sample as Citrus honey, and twenty-five samples as multifloral honeys. Of the total,
87.1% exceeded the quality parameters and should be labelled as ‘virgin’ honey.
