HOW DO BEES MAKE HONEY?
May 19, 2021
If bees didn’t exist, plants and crops won’t exist and that would affect biodiversity. The equilibrium in the environment is maintained by bees with the process of pollinating flowers. Bees produce honey by collecting nectar from flowers. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Ayurveda, the varieties of bees that make honey include Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera, Apis floria, Apis andreniformis, Apis Koschevnikov and Apis laborisa.
The modern scientific view opines that the best bee for honey is Apis mellifera. The nectar gathered by bees consists of nearly 80 % water and sugars. In the hive, the bees regurgitate the nectar many times till it is partially digested. This process lasts till the product reaches a certain quality. Later the honeycomb is left unsealed. Raw honey is stored in honeycomb cells to dry. The constant fanning of bees enhances evaporation of water from honey. Once it is dried, the cells of honeycomb are capped with wax to preserve honey. Honey will not ferment well if it is not sealed well. The flavour and colour may differ depending on the nectar collected by the bees. Honey is graded basing on its colour and density. Grade A is clear with fresh flavour and aroma.
Method of extracting honey from the hive
There are two methods to extract honey. The traditional method includes calming the bees or introducing smoke into the hive, which reduces the aggressiveness of bees. When the bees leave, the combs are carefully taken out to drain the honey. The second method used mechanical honey extractor which extracts honey without causing any harm to the bees.
A container with a frame basket spins, flinging the honey out. In this method, the wax comb is intact within the frame, and can be reused by the bees. Not all honey can be same. The quality and purity depend on how it is harvested. While raw honey comes straight from the hive, regular honey is processed to remove impurities before being bottled. Studies indicate that raw honey is more beneficial to health as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are intact. It contains bee pollen, which is highly effective in killing bacteria and healing wounds. So, if you are looking for raw honey with bee pollen and other natural healing nutrients, you must make sure the honey follows organic guidelines. Eco friendly companies like Nature’s Box specialise in pure raw honey that is unfiltered and retains the natural properties of pure honey obtained straight from the beehive. Check out the unique eleven varieties of Trueney honey on www.naturesbox.in
