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Here in Nashville, we’re lucky to have a beautiful, diverse landscape that supports a thriving honeybee population. But how exactly do these busy little creatures turn flower nectar into the sweet, golden honey we love? Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating process!
Step 1: Foraging for Nectar
Honeybees are expert foragers, traveling up to five miles from their hive in search of nectar-rich flowers. In the Nashville area, they’re drawn to a variety of blooms, including:
Spring: Clover, wildflowers, fruit tree blossoms
Summer: Tulip poplar, sunflowers, honeysuckle
Fall: Aster, goldenrod, Japanese knotweed
Using their long, straw-like tongues called proboscises, the bees suck up the nectar and store it in a special pouch called a honey sac.
Step 2: Back to the Hive
Once a bee’s honey sac is full, she returns to the hive. There, she passes the nectar to other worker bees through a process called trophallaxis, or mouth-to-mouth transfer.
Step 3: Enzyme Action
During trophallaxis, the bees add enzymes to the nectar that break down complex sugars into simpler ones. This makes the nectar more digestible and less prone to spoilage.
Step 4: Evaporation
Next, the bees spread the nectar throughout the honeycomb, where they fan it with their wings to evaporate excess water. This concentrates the nectar and increases its sugar content.
Step 5: Capping the Honeycomb
When the honey has reached the desired consistency, the bees seal the honeycomb cells with a thin layer of beeswax. This preserves the honey and keeps it fresh for months or even years.
Step 6: Harvesting the Honey
Beekeepers carefully remove the honeycomb frames from the hive and extract the honey. We use a special spinning machine called an extractor to gently remove the honey from the comb without damaging it.
Step 7: Bottling and Enjoying
Finally, the honey is filtered to remove any bits of beeswax or other debris and bottled for your enjoyment!
The Flavor of Nashville
The unique blend of flowers and plants in the Nashville area gives our local honey a distinct flavor profile. You might notice hints of clover, wildflowers, or even a touch of fruit blossom, depending on the season and the bees’ foraging habits.
More Than Just a Sweet Treat
Honey is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It’s been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, and some people believe that consuming local honey can help alleviate seasonal allergies.
Support Your Local Bees
By choosing local honey, you’re not only getting a taste of Nashville’s unique terroir but also supporting local beekeepers and the vital role they play in our ecosystem. So next time you’re looking for a sweet treat, reach for a jar of local honey and savor the flavor of our beautiful city!
