What is Bee Pollen?
Bee pollen is a superfood collected by beekeepers and harvested from the intricate dance between bees and flowers. It boasts a diverse array of nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and lipids. It has a fragrant aroma which largely depends on the region from where it is collected. Bees collect pollen as a protein source for their larvae and as food for the adult bees in the hive. A highly underrated but essential arsenal in your healthy lifestyle, it is recognised as medicine by the German Federal Board of Health, also known as "nature’s most complete food" after a mother’s milk and egg, because of its rich and varied nutritional content. Thus, if you were ever stranded on an island and had only pollen and water to survive, your chances of survival are pretty good!
Bee pollen is a superfood collected by beekeepers and harvested from the intricate dance between bees and flowers. It boasts a diverse array of nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and lipids. It has a fragrant aroma which largely depends on the region from where it is collected. Bees collect pollen as a protein source for their larvae and as food for the adult bees in the hive. A highly underrated but essential arsenal in your healthy lifestyle, it is recognised as medicine by the German Federal Board of Health, also known as "nature’s most complete food" after a mother’s milk and egg, because of its rich and varied nutritional content. Thus, if you were ever stranded on an island and had only pollen and water to survive, your chances of survival are pretty good!
How do Bees collect Pollen?
This fascinating story involves a little science and the diligence of our beeees. When a bee flies through the air, the extreme rapid flapping of its wings builds up a positive static electric charge. This means that electrically charged bees are flying around everywhere all the time!!
Now, the pollen grains of a flower hold a negative charge. When bees land on a flower, the pollen is shaken loose from the flower’s anther. It is then attracted to the positively charged hairs on the bee’s body. After collecting the pollen, bees carry it on their hind legs, packed into ‘pollen baskets’ depositing it into the pollen storage cells once they return to the hive.
This fascinating story involves a little science and the diligence of our beeees. When a bee flies through the air, the extreme rapid flapping of its wings builds up a positive static electric charge. This means that electrically charged bees are flying around everywhere all the time!!
Now, the pollen grains of a flower hold a negative charge. When bees land on a flower, the pollen is shaken loose from the flower’s anther. It is then attracted to the positively charged hairs on the bee’s body. After collecting the pollen, bees carry it on their hind legs, packed into ‘pollen baskets’ depositing it into the pollen storage cells once they return to the hive.
Sensory Profile
- Bee Pollen has a fine granular texture which varies in size, ranging from very fine to slightly larger particles.
- It has a floral, slightly sweet taste with hints of earthy bitterness that adds the perfect zing to any dish it is garnished on.
- The colour ranges from golden yellow to orange or mustard yellow.
- And the consistency is slightly sticky and dry due to its granular form.
- Bee Pollen has a fine granular texture which varies in size, ranging from very fine to slightly larger particles.
- It has a floral, slightly sweet taste with hints of earthy bitterness that adds the perfect zing to any dish it is garnished on.
- The colour ranges from golden yellow to orange or mustard yellow.
- And the consistency is slightly sticky and dry due to its granular form.
Nutritional Profile
- Abundant in B Vitamins, including B1, B2, and B3
- Rich in Protein, containing essential amino acids
- Loaded with Antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
- Packed with Minerals like such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
- Contains carbohydrates, good fats, and enzymes.
- Abundant in B Vitamins, including B1, B2, and B3
- Rich in Protein, containing essential amino acids
- Loaded with Antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
- Packed with Minerals like such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
- Contains carbohydrates, good fats, and enzymes.
Benefits of Bee Pollen
- It contains 24.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, and has no chemical additives.
- Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties promote wound healing. It soothes inflammation and boosts the immune system.
- It is loaded with a wide variety of antioxidants like Flavonoids, Carotenoids, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.
- It helps in lowering risk factors leading to heart diseases such as LDL cholesterol and lipid oxidation.
- Bee Pollen is known to alleviate several menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep disturbances.
- It supports digestion and improves gut health.
- It also enhances protective mechanisms against skin ageing, dryness, ultraviolet B radiation and oxidative damage. Thus, helping in retaining a youthful glow.
- It contains 24.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, and has no chemical additives.
- Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties promote wound healing. It soothes inflammation and boosts the immune system.
- It is loaded with a wide variety of antioxidants like Flavonoids, Carotenoids, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.
- It helps in lowering risk factors leading to heart diseases such as LDL cholesterol and lipid oxidation.
- Bee Pollen is known to alleviate several menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep disturbances.
- It supports digestion and improves gut health.
- It also enhances protective mechanisms against skin ageing, dryness, ultraviolet B radiation and oxidative damage. Thus, helping in retaining a youthful glow.
How to Use Bee Pollen ?
- You can consume bee pollen directly. 1 teaspoon is recommended daily to reap its excellent health benefits.
- Make pollen tea with your regular black or green tea. Add a dash of fresh turmeric for that extra kick.
- It can be sprinkled on various foods like yoghurt, oatmeal, smoothies, salads, or even incorporated into baked goods.
- You can consume bee pollen directly. 1 teaspoon is recommended daily to reap its excellent health benefits.
- Make pollen tea with your regular black or green tea. Add a dash of fresh turmeric for that extra kick.
- It can be sprinkled on various foods like yoghurt, oatmeal, smoothies, salads, or even incorporated into baked goods.