Lidone: Bitter Strawberry Tree Honey

Corbezzolo Honey, also known as Strawberry Tree Honey, is one of the Mediterranean’s most distinctive and limited honeys — produced almost exclusively in Sardinia, where the Arbutus unedo thrives in the wild, rocky landscapes of Barbagia.

Each year, Nicola Alpigiano transports his bees to the Strawberry Tree forests of Nuoro, awaiting the unpredictable autumn bloom (October–November). Some years bring abundance, others almost nothing. His patience, precision, and devotion are embodied in Lidone — a name that now symbolizes both rarity and craftsmanship.

The honey’s bitter and herbal taste, creamy consistency, and light amber color reflect the ever-changing nature of Sardinia: the winds, rain, and sun that shape each harvest.

Lidone also connects to a deeper cultural story — Barbagia is one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people live remarkably long lives. Local tradition considers Corbezzolo honey a secret of this longevity, valued for its purity and depth.

Complex and evolving — from bitter herbal tones and coffee notes to warm wood and spice, finishing with a long, balsamic freshness.

Empfehlung:

Excellent with aged cheeses like Pecorino or Parmigiano Reggiano, game meats, or roasted vegetables. Also pairs beautifully with plain yogurt or dark chocolate.

Armie – Nomadic Honey from the Soul of Sardinia

Behind Armie stands Nicola Alpigiano, a devoted Sardinian beekeeper whose life blends craftsmanship, family, and a deep connection with nature. Together with his wife Maria Giovanna, he founded Armie — a name born from love: a combination of their daughter Ariana and the Italian word for honey, “miele.”

Their honey is not merely a product, but a reflection of a way of life. From the wild hills of Nuoro, Nicola moves his hives in harmony with the Sardinian flowering cycle — from Asphodel and Eucalyptus to the prized Strawberry Tree (Corbezzolo) and Wild Lavender. This nomadic rhythm allows each honey to express the authentic essence of its landscape — the dialogue between bees, blossoms, and the caring hands that guide them.

While Maria gives the project its artistic and soulful direction, Nicola embodies the daily devotion — balancing his profession in construction and design with his vocation as a beekeeper. Working often with bare hands, he approaches his bees with empathy and calm: “If you care for them, they feel it. It’s a symbiosis — between nature, the bees, and ourselves.”

This integrity extends to every jar: Armie honeys are annually certified and proudly submitted for evaluation, a testament to the family’s transparency and authenticity. Their dedication has been recognized repeatedly at Gocce d’Oro, one of Italy’s most respected national honey competitions organized by Mielizia and Osservatorio Nazionale Miele.

• Millefiori: Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2024 • One Drop (Una Goccia) 2022 • Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2021
  
• Eucalyptus: Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2024 • Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2023
  
• Strawberry Tree (Corbezzolo): One Drop (Una Goccia) 2025 • Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2023
  
• Wild Lavender: Two Drops (Due Gocce) 2025
  

Each award is more than a recognition — it’s a reflection of a consistent philosophy rooted in respect, patience, and authenticity.

Armie is more than honey — it is Sardinia’s heartbeat, bottled with love, care, and the timeless rhythm of nature.

🇮🇹 Due Gocce d’Oro – Grandi Mieli d’Italia 2023 (Two Golden Drops)

The Tre Gocce d’Oro – Grandi Mieli d’Italia (“Three Golden Drops”) is Italy’s most prestigious honey competition, organized annually by the Osservatorio Nazionale Miele since 1980. Expert panels conduct blind tastings to assess purity, floral typicity, and sensory balance across hundreds of Italian honeys each year.