Imouzzer Honey Festival

The Ida Outanane are the mountains above Agadir, dry limestone with argan, thyme, euphorbia and a short intense flowering after rain, and beekeeping there is old - hives were traditionally hollow logs or woven baskets set in stone shelters, some of which survive as communal apiaries built into cliffs. The honeys are single-flower and strongly flavoured: euphorbia, which is dark and burns slightly at the back of the throat, thyme, carob, orange, and the wild-flower mix. The moussem has been held at Immouzer since the 1970s in the summer, with honey sold by producers, judging, music, dancing and a fair, and it is the practical time to buy from the beekeepers directly rather than from roadside sellers on the coast road, where adulteration with syrup is common. The mountain road up from Agadir, the waterfalls at Immouzer and Paradise Valley are on the same route.

What to look for

• Single-flower honeys - euphorbia, thyme and carob, each strongly distinct.
• Old hive forms - log and basket hives in stone shelters, some built into cliffs.
• Producers selling direct - the point of the moussem, and the way round adulteration.
• A summer fair - judging, music and dancing alongside the honey.

When to go

Usually July or August; dates are announced locally. Two days.

Practical notes

Dates move and are published late. Roadside honey on the Agadir road is frequently adulterated with syrup - buy at the festival or from a cooperative. The mountain road is narrow and slow. Summer heat inland is significant.

Nearby

Immouzer's waterfalls are below the village; Paradise Valley is on the road up.