KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's green honey helped turn the recent Borneo Fest 2024 event in Singapore into a hive of excitement and activity.

Local visitors to the event were curious about the green-coloured honey, from the green bee of the genus Apis and said to contain numerous benefits, sold by Sabah-based entrepreneur Carmen Wong.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who launched the event in Singapore, said jars of the honey sold like hotcakes.

"Green honey is a rare and precious wild honey. Public response was encouraging. Many Singaporeans were amazed to see honey in green colour for the first time.

"They were full of admiration for Sabah's ability to produce green honey for health," she said.

Liew said that Wong informed her that 95% of her inventory was sold at the exhibition.

Liew said she was informed that green honey has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, based on scientific research.

"I have encouraged Wong to expand her business to Singapore and other international markets, given the product's competitive edge in the field of natural health products," she added.

Wong said many visitors wanted to know more about the green bees and she told them that the insects were usually found in the canyons of Borneo's tropical rainforests.

"This species has a deep green appearance and is about 3cm long, and prefers to build its nest on the forest floor, unlike other bees.

"When the bees collect nectar, they pass through the flower petals to extract chlorophyll from the flower stems.

"This results in honey with a greenish colour and a unique taste different from other honey sold in the market," she explained.

Wong told Liew that she stumbled upon green honey by chance five years ago.

"I was fascinated by its rich nutritional content. This discovery sparked my determination to find the best source.

"It was an uphill task but with help, I finally found this precious honey source (near) a border village," she added.

Currently, NS Field collects raw green honey from beehives in the native villages every month.

Borneo Fest was held in Singapore from July 19 to 21.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/29/sabah039s-green-honey-has-singaporeans-abuzz