Ancient Bee Elixirs
Honey has always been a sweet treat, but it has also long served as a preservative, medicine and salve. The U.S. Department of Agriculture made medical history last month when it approved the first vaccine for honey bees. Hives will be inoculated against American Foulbrood, a highly contagious bacterial disease that kills bee larvae. Our buzzy friends need all the help they can get. In 2021, a national survey of U.S. beekeepers reported that 45.5% of managed colonies died during the preceding year. Since more than one-third of the foods we eat depend on insect pollinators, a bee-less world would drastically alter everyday life...
Is There a Correct Color for Bees? A Toxic Topic in Austia
In Stockbenboi, Austria, in the state of Carinthia, a law favors light-colored local bees, those honey producers judged “too dark” risk eradication. Sandro Huter was determined to defend his bees, facing a looming death sentence.
In Honor of Teresa
Because of Teresa’s extraordinary talent, inspirational voice, and personality, Amen Bee will proudly be labeling our new Orange Blossom Honey “Theresa.” The honey will be provided in a beautiful custom-designed hexagon jar and will be available in the Fall.
Honey Sleuths Clamping Down on China’s Fake Honey
The honey detectives are closing in on China’s shady syrup swindlers. Detecting honey laced with sugar syrup is notoriously tricky, but a new test could provide the evidence needed to make fake honey prosecutions stick.
Bee Pollen – A Summary
Last month we looked at bee pollen: what it is; how it is collected by both the bee and the beekeeper; and some of the ways it is used by both bees and humans. This month, we will explore the constituents that make-up bee pollen and some of the potential nutritional and medicinal benefits for you and me.
Honey for Wound Healing
Wound healing is a complex process with many interdependent pathophysiological and immunological mediators to restore the cellular integrity of damaged tissue. Cutaneous wound healing is the repair response to a multitude of pathologies induced by trauma, surgery, and burn leading to the restoration and functionality of the compromised cells.
Pollen Alters Amino Acid Levels in the Honey Bee Brain
Pollen nutrition is necessary for proper growth and development of adult honey bees. Yet, it is unclear how pollen affects the honey bee brain and behavior.
Has Your Honey Been Adulterated?
Examples of adulteration might be blending the honey with other syrups, cane sugar, and other ingredients to dilute its quality. Pasteurization and heating is...
Bee Poem by Patrice Vecchione
Patrice Vecchione has written a lovely poem about spring, bee pollinating, and beekeeping. The poem was inspired by interactions with Lynne and the bees of Amen...
How Amen Bee Makes its Honey
Lynne Bottazzo extracts only capped honey from the hives after the bees have entirely removed the moisture with their wings. Instead of heating her honey to...