with honeycomb and my chest
vibrated and hummed. I knew
the brood was healthy, because
the pheromones sang through the hive
and the queen laid a good
two thousand eggs a day.
I smelled of bee bread and royal jelly,
my nails shone with propolis.
I spent my days freeing bees from my hair,
and planting clover and bee sage and
woundwort and teasel and borage.
I was a queendom unto myself.
- The Hive by Jo Shapcott
Bee Pollen:
Energy, Protein & Nutrient Powerhouse, Anti-inflammatory, Immunity
Bee pollen is a ball of pollen packed by worker honeybees into little pellets. From a nutritional perspective, bee pollen is much more potent than flower pollen because honey bee secretions induce a fermentation process that breaks down the walls of flower pollen grains and make the nutrients more absorbable. Bee pollen is the bees’ power source, and when you think about all the heavy lifting they do – carrying almost half their body weight back to the hive every day – they need a serious source of fuel!
Considered one of nature’s most nourishing foods, bee pollen contains almost all of the nutrients required by humans to thrive. It boasts more protein per gram than any animal product and is jam packed with amino acids (broken down protein), making it easily absorbable by the body. It’s also a source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fats (including essential fatty acids). Bee pollen is actually largely responsible for the many health benefits of raw honey, as the honey contains small amounts of pollen. Pollen is the ultimate energizing superfood!
How to enjoy
In breakfast (granola/yogurt/chia pudding) parfaits, sprinkled on toast, granola, elixirs and lattes… just about EVERYTHING!