Το μέλι ξεχωρίζει αμέσως, από το κεχριμπαρένιο-περλέ χρώμα του με τις μεταλλικές ανταύγειες που δημιουργούνται στο εσωτερικό του να το εμφανίζουν ανοιχτόχρωμο και αδιαφανές ενώ, την ήπια γλυκιά, χαρακτηριστική και επίμονη γεύση του (θυμίζει καραμέλα βουτύρου ή βανίλια) σε συνδυασμό με την πυκνόρρευστη υφή του, συνοδεύει μια ευχάριστη διακριτική ρητινώδεις οσμή. Η εξαγωγή του μελιού είναι εξαιρετικά δύσκολη και δαπανηρή. Για το λόγο αυτό η παραγωγή του είναι πολύ μικρή και λίγοι μελισσοκόμοι της περιοχής ασχολούνται με αυτή.
Fir Honey Vanilla Mainalou comes from black spruce terms of Mainalo in Arcadia and is a product renowned for its taste and low sugar concentration. It is the only Greek honey with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and took gold prize at food fair in Paris in 1996. It is one of the very rare honey varieties, perhaps the rarest in the world, with fantastic flavor and aroma. The main problems are the fluctuations in production and areas within the demarcated zone exists in the folder PDO. The flavor is reminiscent of caramel or vanilla. Characterization of PDO as registered by the EU in 1996 (L 163/2.7.1996). Produced from mid-May to the end of June. Honey is not collected from flowers but a honeydew (resin) which produces an insect (Physokermes hemicryphus) in the shank of black spruce. He has less moisture than all other honeys and not drool ever since it has a high pH. The concentration of sugar is less than other honeys (eg flowers or thyme). In this honey observed the sum of glucose and fructose is from 36% and above.
Honey apart immediately, the amber-colored pearlescent with metallic reflections generated inside the display to light and opaque whereas the mild sweet, distinctive and persistent taste (reminds toffee or vanilla) in combination with the viscous texture, accompanies a pleasant distinctive resinous odor. The export of honey is extremely difficult and costly. For this reason, the production is very small and few beekeepers area involved with this.