It's no secret that bees are an indispensable component of our ecosystem. In fact, bees pollinate more than $15 billion a year in crops in the United States. However, many people are under the impression that honey is the only bee product that can be harvested and is fit for human consumption. On the contrary, bee pollen is an increasingly popular food that has many unique qualities. Here's a FAQ featuring some of the most common questions about bee pollen.
What is bee pollen?
One pellet of bee pollen contains more than 2 million grains of flower pollen, the substance collected directly from flowers and plants. The bees work hard packing the pollen into granules using their special hairs and carry it back to their hives to feed their young. Beekeepers gather pollen using beekeeping equipment such as large screens that collect the granules from bees' legs as they enter their hives. The granules are then simply packaged, sold, and used for a myriad of different purposes.
Does collecting pollen harm the bees in any way?
No. Similar to organic honey collection, only a negligible amount of bee pollen is taken during the collection process. This is to ensure that the bees still have plenty of pollen to feed their own young.
Where can people buy raw bee pollen?
If you want to buy raw bee pollen for sale, contact your local beekeeper. GloryBee also offers a wide variety of bee pollen. Bee pollen should be free of chemicals and pesticides. It can also be found in some supermarkets, health food stores, and farmer's markets.
What color is bee pollen?
When considering the color of bee pollen, it's important to keep in mind that color is not an indicator of quality or freshness. It is most frequently seen in a bright yellow shade, but it can also appear red, green, brown, orange, and even purple. The main factor that determines the color of bee pollen is the flowers it has been harvested from.
Ultimately, understanding these facts about bee pollen can help you determine whether you may be able to benefit from it. Keep an eye out for the next post, where we'll discuss some of the benefits of bee pollen and how to best consume the unique substance.
