*2.1. Melissopalynological Analysis (Honey Pollen Analysis)*

Quantitative analysis consists of counting all plant parts (N), i.e., pollen grains, fungal spores and algae hyphae, yeast, starch grains and others in 10 g of honey. It allows honey to be assigned to one of five classes.

The qualitative analysis determines the varieties of honey, with particular emphasis on honey and their additives from other climatic zones. It is the basis for the determination and classification of the nectar plants involved in the production of honey. It consists of counting pollen grains in a microscope preparation, and then comparing them with the provisions regulating the content of guiding pollen in varietal honeys.

The minimum percentages of guiding pollen for honeys are as follows: rapeseed—45%, acacia—30%, linden—20%, buckwheat—45%, heather—45%, and polyfloral—none.

This method is a classic approach to confirming the botanical origin of honey. It is useful in the control and classification of honeys of individual varieties and those imported from different regions of the world. However, it is a time-consuming method and depends on the expert's experience. This method also allows nectar honey to be distinguished from honeydew [26,55–65].

It is based on the assumption that certain types of pollen are present in a given area, which makes it possible to determine the origin of honey on this basis [65].
