Bees are indispensable for our nature and for the production of real, natural honey. Honey is a special natural product that not only tastes delicious but also offers numerous health benefits. In this article, you’ll discover ten surprising facts about honey and bees that you probably didn't know yet. Let yourself be inspired by the world behind every jar of honey.
1. A single bee makes only one teaspoon of honey in its lifetime
A worker bee lives for an average of six weeks during the peak season. In that period, she produces approximately one teaspoon of honey. Thousands of bees are needed for one 500-gram jar of honey. That makes real honey all the more valuable.
2. Honey almost never spoils
Did you know that honey can last for thousands of years? Archaeologists found edible honey in Egyptian tombs. Due to its low moisture content and natural antibacterial properties, honey has an almost unlimited shelf life, provided it is stored properly.
3. The queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs per day
The queen bee is responsible for the reproduction of the entire bee colony. At her peak, she can lay up to 2,000 eggs daily – that's more than her own body weight.
4. Bees communicate with a dance
When a bee finds a good nectar source, she communicates this to the rest of the colony through a waggle dance. This tells them exactly where to find flowers, including direction and distance.
5. Without bees, no fruits and vegetables
More than 75% of all crops worldwide depend on pollination by insects, especially bees. Without bees, products like apples, berries, zucchini, and nuts would be much rarer and more expensive.
6. Honey works naturally
Thanks to its high sugar content, low moisture percentage, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide, honey has natural properties. That's why it was used as a miracle cure in ancient times!
7. Bees can fly 25 kilometers per hour
A bee is a powerful flying insect. It flies up to 25 kilometers per hour and flaps its wings about 200 times per second. This allows it to cover long distances to collect nectar.
8. There are more than 20,000 bee species worldwide
Although the honeybee is the best known, there are thousands of other bee species. Many of these are solitary bees or bumblebees, and they too are important pollinators of flowers and plants.
9. Honeybees have multiple tasks in their lives
During their lives, worker bees go through different 'roles' in the colony. They often start as cleaners, then become caregivers, builders, guards, and end up as foragers.
10. Honey tastes different per flower type
The taste, color, and scent of honey are entirely dependent on the flowers from which the nectar comes. Think of lime honey, clover honey, or heather honey. Each type of honey has a unique flavor profile.
Looking for real, natural honey?
Browse our assortment and taste the difference for yourself. At our honey shop, you buy directly from the beekeeper – pure, honest, and full of flavor.
