Athel honey is a less familiar but increasingly visible Saudi variety, appearing in international honey award records alongside the Kingdom's better-known Sidr and acacia honeys.
Athel honey comes from bees foraging on athel trees, which are adapted to arid and saline environments. It is an interesting example of how Saudi honey extends beyond the best-known Sidr and Talh categories.
International competition data is useful for understanding the breadth of Saudi honey. The 2023 Arab International Honey Awards country results include multiple Saudi Athel honeys from different apiaries, showing that the variety is produced by more than a single specialist.
For consumers and importers, Athel offers an opportunity to explore a less familiar Saudi honey origin. As with other varieties, provenance is critical. The best product page should identify the producer, harvest area and floral source rather than relying on a generic 'natural honey' description.
Saudi honey is increasingly being presented to international buyers through awards, specialist retailers and direct-to-consumer producers. Athel can therefore play an important role in the wider story of Saudi honey diversity, particularly for buyers interested in unusual regional varieties.
SaudiHoney.com will continue researching Athel producers, award entries and regional terminology to make this page a useful starting point for anyone searching for Athel honey from Saudi Arabia.