Honeybees collect pollen from flowers and shape it into a little ball or pellet. They carry it back to the hive in their pollen baskets or corbiculae on their hind legs. Foraging bees bring pollen back to the hive, where they pass it off to other worker bees, who pack the pollen into cells with their heads. During collection and possibly packing, the pollen is mixed with nectar and bee salivary secretions. Bee pollen is the primary source of protein for the hive. It is high in protein and consists of simple sugars, minerals and vitamins, fatty acids, and a small percentage of other components. People can eat bee pollen too! It is a great way to add more plant based protein to your diet. Simply add a teaspoon to a tablespoon to your smoothie, yogurt, cereal, baking, salad or just eat it straight up!
Bee Pollen Nutrition Facts:
One tablespoon of bee pollen contains:
- 16 calories.
- 0.24 grams of fat.
- 1.2 grams of protein.
- 2.18 grams of carbohydrates.
- 250 types of nutrients, including vitamins and flavonoids.