What Is Bee Bread (Fermented Bee Pollen) and How To Eat It

Bee bread is a remarkable and lesser-known superfood. It is a nutrient-rich and natural product created by honey bees. Bee bread has many health benefits and is a powerful supplement to add to your diet.

What is bee bread?

Bee bread is a fermented mixture of pollen grains, nectar, bee saliva (aka bee glue!), and honey. Worker bees collect fresh pollen from flowers on their hind legs and mix it with their saliva and nectar to create a dough-like substance. The bees then pack this mixture into the honeycomb cells and seal them with a layer of honey and wax. 

Over time, the enzymes and beneficial bacteria will begin a natural fermentation process that transforms the pollen pellets into bee bread. This fermentation process not only preserves the pollen but also enhances its nutritional profile making it perfect for human consumption.

While it might not sound totally appetising, bee bread has been consumed since ancient times. The Ancient Greeks apparently called it Ambrosia, which means ‘immortality’ in Ancient Greek, and in Greek myths the word stands for the ‘food of the gods’.

Bee bread is thought to be more digestible for the human body than bee pollen, in part due to its easily digestible free amino acids, fats, and other nutrients.

It’s called bee bread because of its shape. It is shaped like a small loaf of bread or pellet because it’s formed in the cells of the honeycomb!

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Benefits of bee bread

Bee bread’s chemical composition is rich in proteins, omega fatty acids, and essential amino acids. These essential nutrients help support the human body in a number of ways like boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. Bee bread is a great natural dietary supplement. Here are some other benefits of this raw superfood!

Packed with nutrients – including minerals, vitamins, proteins, fatty acids, and more.

A natural source of essential vitamins – such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamins A, E, and K.

Full of cleansing antioxidants – Antioxidants in bee bread neutralise free radicals and help prevent cellular damage. The unsaturated fatty acids in bee bread can help people recover from diseases caused by chronic inflammation.

Support the immune system – Bee bread contains large amounts of antimicrobial properties which can help to prevent colds and flus or reduce their severity.

Can reduce symptoms of menopause – Participants in a study looking at whether bee pollen helped reduce menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients reported “significant improvements”.

Reduces stress – Bee bread can increase blood flow and therefore reduce feelings of stress and tiredness.

Help reduce symptoms of allergies – Similar to other bee products like raw honey, consuming bee bread, especially from bees in your local area, can help to reduce allergy symptoms.

Supports digestive health – The lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, and enzymes in bee bread help with digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Natural energy boost – Bee bread is a rich source of protein which makes it an excellent supplement for boosting your energy.

As you can see, bee bread is a hugely nutritious food that we should be thanking the bees for making!

What does bee bread taste like?

The flavour is similar to the US candy Skittles. It has a sweet and flowery taste that isn’t as bitter as bee pollen (due to the fermentation process). It has a slightly granular texture and could be compared to the flavour of dried fruit.

How much bee bread to consume?

As always, I’m not a doctor and you should check with your healthcare professional to learn about possible interactions with medications and allergic reactions. I like to consume about 1-2 teaspoons of bee bread per day. 

4 Ways To Eat Bee Bread

1. Raw Bee Bread Breakfast Bars

Ingredients

Medjool Dates

Oats

Nuts (whatever your like or have on hand)

Peanut Butter

Honey (or maple syrup) – I use this bulk maple syrup

Bee Bread

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

Add oats, nuts, peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and dates into a food processor and blitz until a ball begins to form.

Pour the mixture into a baking pan.

Sprinkle the bee bread on top and use your hands to mix the bee bread into the mixture.

Press the mixture flat in the pan with your fingers.

Use a knife to cut out the bars – this recipe should yield 8 bars.

Pop the tray into the freezer for about an hour to firm up the mixture.

Remove from the freezer and break the bars apart.

These bars will last about 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. They can be left at room temperature but will become soft and more difficult to eat.

2. Homemade Bee Bread Granola

Ingredients

Oats

Coconut Oil – I use this organic bulk coconut oil

Maple Syrup (or honey) – I use this bulk maple syrup

Sourdough Discard (or mature starter)

Bee Bread

Nuts & Seeds (I like to use cashews, almonds, walnuts, & sunflower seeds)

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.

Add the oats, maple syrup or honey, and coconut oil to a large stockpot.

Heat on low until the oats are completely covered in melted coconut oil and maple syrup or honey, and turn off the heat.

To the stock pot, pour in the sourdough discard or mature starter, nuts and seeds of your choice. Use a spoon to stir everything together.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour a thin layer of granola onto one or many large baking tray(s). Use multiple baking trays to avoid overcrowding.

Put the baking tray(s) into the oven for 35-40 minutes. I like to stir the granola every 20 minutes or so, to ensure it’s baked evenly on all sides.

Once it’s golden brown, remove the granola and allow it to cool completely.

Use a spoon to break it apart. Sprinkle the bee bread over top of the baked granola.

Store in a glass container.

3. Bee Bread Date Balls

Ingredients

Medjool Dates

Nuts (of your choice)

Peanut Butter

Bee Bread

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

Add medjool dates to your food processor and blitz until they come together.

Add the nuts and peanut butter into the food processor with the dates and blitz until the mixture holds together.

Sprinkle in the bee bread and use a wooden spoon to mix them in.

Using your hands or a spoon, roll the balls together.

Put the balls onto a plate and into the fridge for an hour or so to firm up. Enjoy!

As a topping

• On yogurt
• On oats
• On salads
• In a trail mix

As a beverage

Edinburgh Honey Company (where I bought my bee bread) suggests that you can dissolve a spoonful of bee bread in warm water (not hot or boiling – this would destroy the fermentation benefits).

You do this by pouring warm water overtop of the bee bread and using a spoon to dissolve it.

You can leave it to sit overnight to maximise the absorption of the beneficial compounds and drink it in the morning.

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What to read next

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Cozy Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Simple Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins

Healthy Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!

I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. As always, do your own research and speak to your doctor or paediatricians.