Learn Spanish and Go Las Mieles Oaxaqueñas - The Oaxacan Honeys
Mar 11, 2025
Diego Armando Contreras Peralta, a biologist and beekeeping entrepreneur from Oaxaca, shares his journey of returning to his ancestral roots. He discusses how his Mixtec heritage shaped his path and led him to the world of beekeeping. The conversation dives into the diverse honeys of Oaxaca, the significance of community, and the sensory experiences offered through his Nunduve project. Diego also reveals surprising insights about honey and bee species, emphasizing the connection between culture and terroir.
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Returning To Ancestral Home
- Diego describes growing up in Mexico City with strong Mixtec family traditions that later pulled him to Oaxaca.
- He felt an instant sense of home when he first visited Oaxaca during university and decided to return permanently.
Chosen By A Community
- Diego recounts being offered work with beekeepers in La Chinantla despite lacking prior bee knowledge.
- The community chose him for the role and that selection helped him commit to staying and learning apiculture.
Honey's Surprising Diversity
- Diego learned that honey varies widely depending on floral origin, with distinct colors, textures, and flavors.
- He realized tasting and describing honey reveals its complexity beyond the common idea of a single homogeneous sweet product.