Moroccan sidr honey: where it comes from, its taste and how to choose it

Sidr honey is one of the most famous honeys in Morocco and the Arab world. People often ask us: where does it come from? Why is it expensive? How do I recognise good sidr honey? Here are our answers.

What is the sidr tree?

In Morocco, sidr is the wild jujube (Ziziphus lotus, also called sedra or nbag), a thorny shrub of dry and semi-dry areas. It tolerates heat and little rain and produces a small fruit called nbag. Bees collect nectar from its flowers in summer.

Colour and taste

• Colour: amber, from golden to light brown.
• Taste: sweet and rich, with a hint of caramel and a warm aroma.
• Texture: usually quite thick.

Why is sidr honey expensive?

• Small quantities: the jujube flowers once a year and the harvest depends on that year’s rain.
• Remote areas: beekeepers move their hives to the sidr areas.
• High demand: it is very popular in Morocco and abroad.

How to choose sidr honey

1. Price: real sidr honey cannot be very cheap.
2. Source: buy from people you know who tell you where the honey comes from.
3. Don’t rely on home tests alone: water, flame… they prove nothing precise. See how to tell pure honey from fake honey.

How to enjoy it

• A spoonful in the morning, on its own or in a glass of lukewarm (not hot) water.
• With bread and beldi butter at breakfast.
• In tea instead of sugar.

Frequently asked questions

Does sidr honey crystallise?

It crystallises more slowly than some other honeys, but it can with time and cold. That is natural and not a sign of adulteration.

Is honey suitable for babies?

No. Doctors advise against giving any honey to children under one year old.

Chaidmia Hora sidr honey

Our pure sidr honey comes in 500 g and 1 kg, with cash on delivery. To compare with other types, see the Moroccan honey guide or all honeys in the shop.