BEEKEEPING TRADITIONS IN GURIA

Family apiary, hand-crafted hive, natural habitat — the beekeeping culture of Guria.

In Chokhatauri's gardens, sheltered by trees, a beehive is as natural as the tree itself — this tradition unites dozens of families, conferring resilience on dozens of households.

The Caucasian grey honeybee (Apis mellifera caucasica) is one of the most sought-after breeds in world beekeeping — its gentle temperament, resilience to humidity, and foraging efficiency are exceptional. This breed is optimal precisely for Guria's humid, high-rainfall climate.

Chokhatauri family beekeeping is gradually transitioning from traditional log hives to modern Dadant frame hives. This shift supports higher honey production, but some families still prefer the traditional hive — they say it 'makes the bees happier.'

Beekeeping tours in Chokhatauri are becoming increasingly popular. Visitors can observe the process of opening the hive, extracting honey, and — naturally — tasting freshly extracted honey.

Interesting fact

The Caucasian grey honeybee (Apis mellifera caucasica) has been distributed across various European countries since 1905 — in America it is the most widely used 'Caucasian bee' by breed.

Colchic bee on local flora — ecosystem keystone