Explore the world of bees and learn her secrets

Honey: from the flower on your plate

Bee needs pollen and nectar to live. Pollen is stored to give it energy when needed. Nectar is the substance of which honey is created. But how does nectar is converted into honey? The bee has two “stomachs”, one for the storage of nectar and another to feed. Bees are collecting nectar and stored it in a special “bag” near their stomach. They can store nectar almost the same weight as their bodies! It should visit 100-1500 flowers to fill it! In the hive, they give nectar to other bees.

In this process, water evaporates from nectar, reducing moisture from 70% to 20%! Of course, if the environment has a high temperature (eg. 30o C), the process is shorter, because the water itself is evaporated.

Furthermore, in the stomach, specific enzymes convert nectar into simple sugars, so that is more easily digested by the bees, but also more difficult to “be infected” by bacteria. When the honey has “matured”, it is ready to be sealed by a thin layer of wax. This honey is the “warehouse” of food that will be used when there is not much nectar to feed (Winter, Autumn) or pollen. A hive can produce 50-90 large jars (1 kg) of honey! The speed that works a beehive is beyond imagination!