Thyme honey from Canalejas del Arroyo, a small village in Cuenca's Alcarria, has won first place in the Global Honey Stars 2026 and a gold medal at the Paris International Honey Awards 2026. These awards in Paris have boosted the global visibility of this family-run traditional production. The village, with around 150 residents, stands out for its historical heritage and natural landscape.
Canalejas del Arroyo, a municipality of just over 150 residents in Cuenca's Alcarria, has gained international attention for its thyme honey. This family production has earned first place in the Global Honey Stars 2026 and a gold medal at the Paris International Honey Awards 2026, both held in Paris this year. The competitions assess the product's purity, sensory profile, and origin.
The family business behind the honey started as a hobby and has been passed down through generations, sticking to traditional methods. The hives remain fixed in one location, without moving for specific blooms, so production depends on local weather and vegetation. The honey is extracted straight from the comb, without pasteurization or further treatments, preserving its natural properties, though in limited quantities.
These awards have integrated the product into circuits that value origin and artisanal methods, expanding its reach beyond the local area.
The village preserves remnants of a medieval wall and the 16th-century Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, featuring a single nave and polygonal apse. It also has chapels like those of San Roque, San Mamés, and Virgen de la Envía. Its agricultural lands and Alcarria vegetation have historically shaped activities such as beekeeping.
