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(From the National Honey Board)
HONEY
Honey is "manufactured" in one of the world's most efficient factories, the beehive. Bees may travel as far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey. The color and flavor of honey differ depending on the bees' nectar source (the blossoms). In fact, there are more than 300 unique kinds of honey in the United States, originating from such diverse floral sources as clover, eucalyptus and orange blossom. In general, lighter colored honeys are mild in flavor; while darker honeys are usually more robust in flavor.

Honey is primarily composed of fructose, glucose and water. It also contains other sugars as well trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.

In addition to gathering nectar to produce honey, honey bees perform a vital second function--pollination. About one-third of the human diet is derived from insect-pollinated plants, and honey bees are responsible for 80 percent of this pollination. Pollination is the fertilization of a flowering plant. It occurs when pollen is transferred from the anthers of a flower to the ovules of that or another flower. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and more.

Most of us know honey as a sweet, golden liquid. But, in fact, honey can be found in a variety of forms.

• Liquid Honey Free of visible crystals, liquid honey is extracted from the honey comb by centrifugal force, gravity or straining.
• Whipped (or cremed) Honey While all honey will crystallize in time, whipped honey (also known as cremed honey, sugared honey or spun honey) is brought to market in a crystallized state. The crystallization is controlled so that, at room temperature, the honey can be spread like butter.
• Comb Honey- Comb honey is honey that comes as it was produced--in the honey bees' wax comb. The comb, as well as the honey, is edible!

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
HONEY IS NOT TO BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE.
Honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause infant botulism - a rare but serious disease that affects the nervous system of young babies (under one year of age). C. botulinum spores are present throughout the environment and may be found in dust, soil and improperly canned foods. Adults and children over one year of age are routinely exposed to, but not normally affected by, C. botulinum spores.
For more information, visit the National Honey Board website.

POLLEN

What is it? Besides collecting nectar from flowers, bees select only those pollens that contain the greatest amounts of protein and other nutrients. The bees mix them with nectar and some of the bees' own secretions and take them to their hives. Bees use this pollen as food.

What does it do? Bee pollen contains much more protein per ounce than any other natural food. It also contains a wide variety of other nutrients.

Bee pollen seems to supply something that some unhealthy, stressed, and aging people lack and need. It is used to retard hardening of the arteries and to strengthen the circulatory system. It is also used to combat the symptoms of illnesses and allergies. And it is believed to regulate the function of the endocrine system. When eaten after meals, it is believed to aid digestions. And, it stops some women's menstrual cramps.

Bee pollen is believed to reduce stress and to increase alertness and stamina. Olympic and other athletes use pollen as a low calorie protein source and also as a quick, yet sustained source of energy.

Applied to the skin, bee pollen is believed to help heal wounds and acne.

A very few people are allergic to bee pollen. Therefore, it is suggested that people start taking small amounts of bee pollen and gradually increase the amount until they are taking two teaspoonfuls daily. If allergic symptoms occur, temporarily decrease the amount taken. Soon, the symptoms will disappear.

What does it taste like? Bee pollen looks like tiny yellow, tan, orange, and brown balls. It varies in taste depending on the plants from which it comes. Some bee pollen has a slightly sweet and nut-like flavor. Some is bitter. It can be eaten alone or mixed with any cold food or thick cold beverage.

What does it contain? Bee pollen will contain differing amounts of nutrients depending on its source.