Starting this issue, we’ll be
spotlighting local foods that are both delicious and packed
with powerful health-promoting nutrients.
By Rachel Cole
WHAT IS IT: Bee pollen is
flower pollen and bee nectar
combined to form small
grains or granules. Honeybees
carry one or two pollen
grains at a time back to the
hive on their hind legs, and
beekeepers collect the pollen
on special screens as the bees
reenter the hive. Each granule
of bee pollen contains 2
million flower pollen grains!
HEALTH BENEFITS: Numerous
anecdotal claims
have been made over the
centuries that it supports
health, but scientific studies
proving—or disproving—the
health benefits of bee pollen
are scarce. Bee pollen is one
of few foods in nature that
contains every amino acid,
carbohydrate, lipid, mineral,
and vitamin that humans
need—making it a complete
food, able to provide any
nutrients missing in the diet.
The most common medicinal
uses for bee pollen are for hay
fever and allergies, improving
immune function, decreasing
inflammation, and lowering
cholesterol.
TASTE: Bee pollen is a
seasonal product flavored by
the flowers a hive pollinates.
Generally, the taste ranges
from a mild bitter flavor to a
sweet, honey echo.
EATING OUT: At Lettus Café
Organic, you can add bee pollen
to your juice or smoothie
for an additional 75 cents. At
recently reopened Fifth Floor,
chef Jennie Lorenzo is experimenting
with bee pollen in a
refreshing scallop crudo with
fennel, muscatel vinegar, and
caviar for the tasting menu.
When pastry chef Deanie Fox
of Ubuntu in Napa can get
her hands on some bee pollen
from master biodynamic
gardener Jeff Dawson, she
sprinkles it over honey-drizzled
brioche French toast or
serves it as part of Ubuntu’s
artisan cheese plate. Depending
on the season, San Francisco’s
Aziza offers unique bee
pollen cocktails and garnishes
its incredible desserts with
flakes of white chocolate studded
with bee pollen.
SOURCING IT: Snyder’s
Honey at the San Francisco
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
on Tuesday or Marshall’s
Farm on Saturday both carry
bee pollen. Bees produce
a relatively small amount
of bee pollen compared to
the high demand for it, so
they are sometimes out of
stock. Rainbow Grocery sells
several local, pesticide-free
varieties, in the supplement
section and in bulk.
Make sure that the pollen
you purchase comes from
local hives that pollinate organic
flowers, as this carries
less risk than pesticide-laden
or possibly contaminated
imported bee pollen.
STORAGE: Bee pollen loses
its nutrient-punch after three
days at room temperature, so
it is best stored in the fridge
or freezer and used promptly.
PREPARATION: Because
bee pollen is so delicate, it
should not be heated, but
added to dishes after they
have been cooked. Stir it into
yogurt, blend it into shakes
and smoothies, toss it with
salads, and whisk it into
vinaigrettes. Or, sprinkle bee
pollen atop an open-faced
sandwich made with Acme
whole-wheat seed bread,
Bellwhether sheep ricotta, a
drizzle of raw honey, and a
pinch of sea salt.
DOSAGE AND HEALTH WARNINGS: Those with
allergies to bee venom should
consult their doctor before
taking bee pollen. The general
consensus for everyone,
regardless of known allergies,
is to start gradually with one
to two granules daily for a
few days, to test for reactions,
then work up to a half teaspoon
per day. Talk to your
local honey farmer or the
trained staff in the health supplement
departments at
stores such as Rainbow or
Elephant Pharmacy if you
have any questions.
Rachel Cole will graduate
in June with a master’s in
holistic health education from
John F. Kennedy
University.
Her
writing and
photos have been published
on the websites Mighty Foods,
Ethicurean, Eggbeater, and Eat
Grub. She is interested in the
many ways that making deep
connections at the table can
bring about well-being.
Great article! Bee pollen is indeed a wonder food! Bees are brilliant, essential creatures to our survival. And even more amazing is the fact that bee pollen includes such a long list of nutrients we need! Over at the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau page on bee pollen, you can find additional information on the affectiveness of bee pollen on the human body! We are a not-for-profit, non-commercial site dedicated to providing accurate, science-based information on dietary supplements.
Thanks,
Derek
Dietary Supplement Information Bureau
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