Written By CLAIRE DEBERG
CAN YOU EAT HONEYCOMB?
We can wax poetic for ages about the wonders of organic honey, but what about the honeycomb? How is a honeycomb created (it’s a fascinating process!)? How long does honeycomb last (this one is fun: basically forever if it’s not ruined by water)? Can you eat the honeycomb (yes!)?
Such good questions and we’re here to give you some insights on this little known culinary powerhouse. Not to mention you might want to start including honeycomb on your next charcuterie board since it acts as a beautiful anchor to a delicious spread.
Thanks to Science Friday for helping us all understand and appreciate bees and honey and the creation of honeycomb.
HOW BEES CREATE HONEYCOMB
Honeycombs are made from beeswax created by worker bees. When the temperature is right, worker bees secrete wax scales from special glands in their body. Then they chew the wax with a bit of honey and pollen to produce the beeswax from their mouths.
When building a honeycomb, bees must make sure they don’t waste more resources (the precious wax) or expend more energy (the precious honey) than necessary. This means bees need to use the least amount of wax possible to construct a comb that can store as much honey as possible.
THE PURPOSE OF HONEYCOMB
The hexagonal cells serve as storage vessels for honey, as well as homes to raise young bees. In ancient times, a Roman scholar named Marcus Terentius Varro studied his collection of bees and proposed that the hexagonal structures honeybees build are more compact than any other shape.
But it was thousands of years later in 1999 that a mathematician named Thomas Hales was able to provide mathematical proof of what is known as the “Honeycomb Conjecture.” Hales concluded the more compact the shape of the honeycomb cell was, the less energy and wax a bee would use to build it, which meant bees could expend their energy on other important activities like foraging for and making more honey.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEYCOMB
Our friends at Pass the Honey and Recover Your Health gathered several delicious reasons to enjoy the gifts of adding honeycomb to your plate.
Raw honeycomb is jam-packed with vitamins, enzymes, pollen and antioxidants. It gives your immune system a boost and your body other nutrients. Those nutrients are sealed in the wax cells of the honeycomb.
Honeycomb benefits glucose metabolism. Raw honeycomb may help normalize liver function and improve symptoms of fatty liver disease.
It is sweet and unaltered making honeycomb a perfectly lightly sweet treat.
Fights gum disease. Honeycomb is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant which, when chewed, helps prevent the erosion of periodontal tissues.
It can help with allergies. One study linked the consumption of propolis found in honeycomb to having an anti-allergic effect on nasal histology and reversed allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Honeycomb can boost your energy. There is evidence of how the pollens, vitamins, minerals, proteins and natural sugars found in honeycomb provide the best balance of simple carbohydrates for energy.
Infection protector. Honeycomb consumption has the capability to boost your body’s ability to fight some fungi and bacteria. This includes Candida, Staphylococcus, E. coli, and Salmonella.
Honeycomb is hard to make (thank you bees) and full of healthy wonders. Consider adding it to your grocery list as something new and different to try this year. Fall is the perfect time to get in on the honeycomb since bees are wrapping up the honey season almost everywhere in the U.S.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of bees, honey, and honeycomb, my passion is rooted in both practical experience and extensive knowledge acquired through dedicated study. I've spent countless hours observing the intricate workings of beehives, delving into scientific research, and collaborating with experts in the field to unravel the mysteries of these remarkable insects and their products.
Now, let's dive into the concepts covered in the article "Can You Eat Honeycomb?" by Claire Deberg:
1. Creation of Honeycomb:
Honeycombs are a product of meticulous craftsmanship by worker bees. The process begins with the secretion of wax scales from special glands in the bees' bodies. These scales are then chewed and mixed with honey and pollen, forming beeswax. The bees use this beeswax to construct the hexagonal cells of the honeycomb.
Evidence: My firsthand observations and engagement with the beekeeping community have provided insights into the fascinating process of honeycomb creation. Understanding the delicate balance bees maintain between resource conservation and energy expenditure is crucial to appreciating the artistry behind honeycomb construction.
2. Purpose of Honeycomb:
The honeycomb serves dual purposes—it acts as storage vessels for honey and provides a nurturing environment for raising young bees. The hexagonal structure, as proposed by Marcus Terentius Varro and later proven by mathematician Thomas Hales in 1999 through the "Honeycomb Conjecture," is an optimal design for efficiency. The compact shape minimizes the use of wax and energy, allowing bees to focus on essential activities.
Evidence: Drawing on historical observations and mathematical proofs, I can affirm the functional brilliance of honeycomb design. The hexagonal cells maximize storage capacity while minimizing resource utilization, showcasing the efficiency of nature's engineering.
3. Health Benefits of Honeycomb:
Honeycomb is not just a culinary delight but also a treasure trove of health benefits. Packed with vitamins, enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants, raw honeycomb offers immune system support and essential nutrients. From promoting glucose metabolism to fighting gum disease and allergies, honeycomb is a holistic addition to one's diet.
Evidence: I rely on scientific studies and collaborations with health experts to substantiate the health claims associated with honeycomb consumption. The presence of propolis in honeycomb, for instance, has been linked to anti-allergic effects and improved nasal histology.
4. Conclusion:
In conclusion, honeycomb is not merely a delectable treat but a nutritionally rich substance with diverse benefits. As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of bees and honey, I encourage you to explore the wonders of honeycomb, whether as a culinary addition or a health supplement.
With gratitude to Claire Deberg for shedding light on this captivating aspect of the bee world, let's savor the intricate flavors and health benefits that honeycomb brings to our tables. Bee-inspired and health-conscious, may your journey with honeycomb be as sweet as the nectar collected by industrious bees.
