What is Pollen?
Pollen provides the protein part of the bees diet and nectar provides the carbohydrates. Pollen varies in richness and colour. Under the microscope, flowers visited by the bee can be identified by the size and shape of the pollen grain. In the honey there will be very minute particles of the pollen grains. What is Propolis?
Propolis is collected from the resins of tree buds and is a brownish/reddish sticky substance. It is thought to have antiseptic properties and the bees use it to create a clean and sterile environment within their hive. They can also adapt its use for a variety of reasons, for example sealing gaps or to provide additional security by reducing their entrance. Take a look at the photo and see if you can spot how they have moulded the propolis to alter the size of their entrance. |
What is Honey?
The bees gather nectar from flowers which is approximately 80% water. To store this as their food and what we know as honey, they evaporate the water from the nectar until the water content is less than 20%. They do this by fanning their wings and positioning themselves around the hive to create a circulating current of air. They add some enzymes and once ripened they will cap the honey. We remove the supers at this point, leaving enough for the bees too.
Benefits of Eating Our Local Honey The honey sold is a combination of the natural nectars and pollens gathered from our local countryside, farmland and gardens within the vicinity of our apiary sites. It is thought honey can help provide health boosting properties. Some of our customers believe that eating our honey has improved their hayfever no end! |
