When we received an urgent call from our beekeepers in Indonesia about a massive cluster beehive deep in the jungle of Cikelet, we knew we had to witness it firsthand.
The Adventure Begins
Our journey wasn’t for the faint of heart. It started with a flight to Jakarta, followed by a grueling van ride—three hours to Bandung, another five to Garut, and finally two hours to the base of a mountain in Cikelet. But the road didn’t end there. From the foot of the mountain, we bounced along a rugged off-road track in the back of a truck, and when even that couldn’t take us any further, we set off on foot.
Into the Wild
The hiking trails were not what you'd find in a guidebook. This wasn’t a tourist spot; it was raw, untamed jungle. We carved our own path through the dense foliage, the excitement and anticipation fueling us through every step.
After about an hour, we finally spotted what we came for—a tree towering with over ten hives hanging from its branches!
The Bees and Their Guardians
These hives were home to the Apis Dorsata, a wild honeybee species known for their size, aggression, and fierce loyalty to their honey. As we watched, our beekeeper prepared to climb.
His ascent was nerve-wracking yet exhilarating, like watching a tightrope walker step out over a canyon.
When he reached the top, chaos ensued. Thousands of bees swarmed the air, a buzzing, living cloud. Even from 70 meters away, we weren’t safe; the bees were on us, forcing us back to our hilltop checkpoint.
The Harvest
From our safe distance, we watched in awe as the beekeeper carefully trimmed the hives, always leaving a portion behind to ensure the colony’s survival and regeneration. Despite our precautions, many of us felt the sting of the bees’ wrath, a sharp reminder of the wild nature of this harvest.
Finally, the beekeeper descended, sacks of raw honeycomb in tow. The golden treasure inside was more than just honey—it was a bounty of bee pollen and royal black honey, fresh from the hive.
A Taste Like No Other
Exhausted but exhilarated, we couldn’t wait to taste the fruits of our labor. We dipped our fingers into the raw honeycomb, savouring the rich, complex flavours that only wild jungle honey can offer. It was sweet, floral, and utterly satisfying—a perfect reward after a day of adventure.
This special honey, which we call Royal Black Honey, is renowned for its healing properties, aiding everything from wound healing to heart health, and even having potential cancer-fighting benefits with long-term use.
Reflecting on an Incredible Experience
As the day came to a close, we shared stories and expressed our gratitude to the beekeepers.
Their dedication and skill are truly inspiring, reminding us of the incredible journey our honey makes from the wild to your table.
