Floral origin markers of heather honeys: Calluna vulgaris and Erica arborea

'Heather' is commonly used to qualify honeys issuing from the Ericaceae family. As mellissopalynology and sensory assessments alone were not sufficient to authenticate their floral origin, volatile compounds from Erica arborea and Calluna vulgaris unifloral honeys were investigated. Flavours were isolated via dichloromethane solubilisation, followed by a Likens-Nickerson simultaneous steam-distillation/solvent extraction. The extracts exhibited an intense honey aroma, representative of their floral origin. Four hundred compounds were separated by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Among them, and in comparison with 11 other honey types, 4 proved to be markers of the Ericaceae family. Moreover, 3 were specific for Calluna vulgaris species and 3 others discriminant for the Erica arborea samples. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved..