Sumar trees grow wild in Tihama and Abyan, two parts of the mountainous Hadramout region of Yemen's Do'an Valley. The method of beekeeping in Yemen is a traditional one, employing no chemicals, drugs or machinery. All harvesting is done by hand, using smoke from burning dried camel skins to ward off the bees and a hand knife to collect the liquid gold.
We first came across this treasured product in the glamorous Dubai Mall. Because Yemeni Sumar Honey is so rare, we needed to make ensure the product we were acquiring was authentic, as many fakes do exist. The Asala brand is respected as being the purest, most potent Sumar honey available anywhere. This premium quality, combined with the challenge of getting product out of Yemen, leads to a retail price rarely seen for honey.
Raw and pure, Asala's Yemeni Sumar Honey of Do'an offers over 80 different health giving properties, running the gamut from antibacterial to anti-fungal to anti-carcinogenic. In fact, the antibacterial properties of raw honey are so potent that it is used as a home remedy against "Superbugs" in cases where modern medicines are ineffective. Sumar honey is also recognized for its high levels of antioxidants, its ability to strengthen your immune system and its role in reducing or eliminating allergies.
Dark amber in color and thick but pourable (if you are patient), Sumar Honey is noticeably medicinal along the lines of Manuka and Eucalytpus varieties. Its supporters recommend one teaspoon every morning and one at night to promote general health and vitality.