Current pollen colors - and flavors

[tjc1]

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... :?

[sc-bee]

Neat Pic!

[JPinMO]

Very cool. I wonder what plant(s) produce purple pollen. I only notice the brown or yellow/orange in our hives.

[Better.to.Bee.than.not]

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.

[BeeMaster2]

The bees add a little bit of nectar to make it stick together and stay on there legs.
Jim

[tjc1]

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!

[Better.to.Bee.than.not]

hm. that does make sense, duh. guess there is a reason for it to taste sweet after-all.

[BeeMaster2]

I'm pretty sure I read that, about the bees adding nectar, in "Langstroth on the Hive and the Honey Bee".
Jim