The Ancient Art of Beekeeping in Bihar

In the dense sal and mahua forests of Jharkhand and Bihar, the relationship between forest dwellers and honeybees stretches back thousands of years. The Santali and Mundari communities here do not farm bees in the modern sense — they coexist with them, harvesting honey with the lightest possible touch and leaving enough for the hive to survive and thrive.

Wild forest honey, sometimes called 'jungle honey', is fundamentally different from what most urban consumers think of as honey. It is darker, thicker, and far more complex in flavour — carrying the signature of hundreds of wildflowers, medicinal herbs, and tree blossoms that bloom across the forest in different seasons.

At DVISSA, our sourcing model is built on this ancient practice. We partner directly with 47 family beekeeping units across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand — paying a fair price that accounts for the ecological stewardship involved in sustainable wild honey harvesting.

The result is honey that is never heated above 35°C, never ultra-filtered, and never blended with sugars or syrups. Every jar carries a unique character that reflects the season and location of harvest — something that mass-produced, supermarket honey simply cannot offer.

We believe the future of Indian food lies in honouring its past. The knowledge held by India's forest communities about bees, flowers, and honey is irreplaceable — and deeply fragile. DVISSA is committed to ensuring that this knowledge, and the livelihoods it supports, endures for generations to come.