Picture by congerdesign onPixabay

The word pollen comes from Latin and means "flower flour".

It is produced in the anthers of flowering plants at the tips of the stamens (the male reproductive organ in plants). It is the main source of protein for foragers and in particular for larvae. Pollination by foragers allows flowering plants to cross-fertilise, thus allowing genetic mixing, while pollinators find it an important food source.

Pollen is probably one of the richest products offered by the hive and is considered a super food supplement. However, its rancid cereal-like taste can leave us wondering. 

Pollen is collected by beekeepers using small pollen traps placed on the hives for up to three weeks. This makes it possible to collect some of the pollen brought by the bees without depleting the hive. Collecting pollen is a real job for the beekeeper. The pollen must be collected daily to prevent it from becoming damp, and then cleaned and dried or frozen to prevent the development of mould.