How is honey made and what is it made of?

Most people know that honey is produced by worker bees, but few know the full details of the honey-making process. This process is truly fascinating!

What is honey made of?

Honey is made from nectar, a sweet liquid that bees collect from the flowers of plants. Bees visit thousands of flowers and fly vast distances to collect enough nectar. But the secret of honey is not just in the nectar – the bees themselves play a major role in its creation.

How do bees process nectar into honey?

  1. Nectar collection and processing

    • Bees sip nectar through their proboscis and store it in a special stomach called the honey stomach.

    • While the nectar is in the stomach, processing begins with the help of special enzymes.

  2. Transferring nectar to the hive

    • When the foragers return to the hive, they pass on the partially processed nectar to other bees.

    • These then pass it on to multiple bees, each adding additional enzymes, increasing the nutritional value.

  3. Storage in honeycomb

    • Nectar is deposited in the cells of the honeycomb, where the bees thicken it with the flapping motion of their wings, which accelerates the evaporation of water.

  4. Honey ripening

    • When the nectar is thick enough, the bees seal it with wax. It then ripens in the cells of the honeycomb and turns into sweet honey.

Why is honey so nutritious and long-lasting?

The fermentation process in the honeycomb converts complex carbohydrates into simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. Enzymes added by the bees also give honey its antimicrobial properties, allowing it to last for a long time. Scientists have even found honey in the pharaonic pyramids that was still suitable for consumption!

Conclusion

Honey is a true natural treasure, created through an amazing process involving thousands of bees. Luckily, you don't have to search for Mellifera honey in the fields - we deliver it fresh and delicious, directly to your address. Enjoy without worry!

Do you want the real thing?

How can you find real Slovenian honey?

We ensure that our honeys retain their natural potency, as we also have a line that is never heated. This ensures that they are full of flavor and nutrients – just as the bees create them.

Check here 👉🏻 https://mellifera.si/pages/medena-trgovina

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