Linking producers’ and consumers’ perceptions in the valorisation of non-timber forest products: An analysis of Ogiek forest honey

This work aims to present a multidisciplinary approach that combines methodologies from economic anthropology and sensory science to valorise non-timber forest products; this is performed by using Kenyan forest honey as a case study to foster a positive alignment between producers and consumers living in the target market. Firstly, ethnographic research was carried out in Kenya to analyse the core competences of the forest honey producers (n = 20) and to select honey samples for the sensory evaluation. Secondly, a consumer test was performed in Italy to investigate the perception of the sensory properties by using a rate-all-that-apply test and its hedonic responses for six forest honeys by subjects living in Italy (n = 50). Based on the producers’ perceptions of the definition of the harvesting area and the floral origin of the honeys, an indigenous classification was outlined. The key core competences of the producers centred around the traditional method of production. The harvesting area was determinant in the preference of the interviewees, being forest honeys produced from the nectar of indigenous melliferous species, from which originate the most appreciated products. Similarly, results from the consumer test showed that harvesting area and the floral origin influenced the hedonic response. Moreover, the drivers of liking (e.g. intense colour, clear appearance, smoked flavour) and disliking (e.g., granularity, opaque appearance) were identified. The paper suggests a development trajectory that promotes the commercial potential of local production but preserves the heritage thereof. The approach is potentially applicable to all marginalised food products and facilitates a promising prospective for sustainable development.