Bee bread
Bee Bread
Bee bread (pronunciation: /biː brɛd/) is a type of food made by honey bees that is a mixture of pollen, honey, and bee secretions. It is stored in the cells of a beehive and is used as a protein source for the bee colony.
Etymology
The term "bee bread" comes from the Old English words "beo" meaning bee and "brēad" meaning a piece of food or morsel. It is believed to have been first used in the 17th century.
Production
Bee bread is produced by worker bees who collect pollen from flowers and mix it with nectar and their own secretions. This mixture is then packed into the cells of the hive where it undergoes a fermentation process, which makes the nutrients in the pollen more readily available for the bees to digest.
Nutritional Value
Bee bread is a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is particularly high in vitamin B complex and vitamin C, as well as essential amino acids and fatty acids.
Related Terms
- Beehive: A structure in which bees live and raise their young.
- Honey: A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees and stored in wax structures called honeycombs.
- Pollen: A fine powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower or from a male cone.
See Also
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