Here is the pollen I collected today (for a Harvard study of local pesticide exposure). When I was done there were a few packets of pollen on the table so I decided to taste one - I was surprised by the intensely sweet taste on the tip of my tongue (some also had some bitterness), but was even more surprised when I had my sister-in-law try some - and she tasted no sweetness at all... :?
(http://s15.postimg.org/wr26wr947/Pollen_July_3_1.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wr26wr947/)
(http://s15.postimg.org/fgbs4qhgn/Pollen_July_3_2.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fgbs4qhgn/)
Neat Pic!
Very cool. I wonder what plant(s) produce purple pollen. I only notice the brown or yellow/orange in our hives.
not much reason for pollen to taste sweet really. it is not nectar. well, not as in sweet like honey anyways, which is concentrated/etc. They do have pollen for eating, though.
The bees add a little bit of nectar to make it stick together and stay on there legs.
Jim
Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 04, 2013, 09:49:43 AM
The bees add a little bit of nectar to make it stick together and stay on there legs.
Jim
Aha! I wondered how they got it to stick together so nicely while flying and foraging, and to make such firm little pellets - that makes sense!
hm. that does make sense, duh. guess there is a reason for it to taste sweet after-all.
I'm pretty sure I read that, about the bees adding nectar, in "Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey Bee".
Jim