Dried Bee Pollen – Looking At Ways To Save The Environment
When we mention dried bee pollen, we usually think of how the granules are dried and then stored properly. Ideally, they should be freeze dried and then stored in a refrigerated area before being sold in the granules form or before being processed into powder and capsules.
The important thing is that the pollen is not exposed to too much light or moisture because that could compromise its nutritional quality.
California Poppies and Gazanias
Environmental issues.
However dried bee pollen is handled, it is perhaps more important to realize how the bees and the hives have been looked after and the general atmospheric conditions. I was very interested to read the Xerces Society site which is dedicated to bees’ welfare and has done much to educate the public about the problems of the decimation of the bees and how this impacts on pollination which is so important for our food supply.
The Society works on behalf of the honeybees and is working with the following groups and organizations to stop the decline:-
- helps and advises citizen monitors
- collaborates with scientists on projects to understand the exact cause of the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
- encourages the setting up and maintenance of pollinator friendly habitats
- advises on which bee friendly plants can be used.
The situation in California
Californian farmers are acutely aware of the problems of pollination and the decimation of the honeybees as their orchards of fruit and especially almonds depend on them. They are used to importing bee colonies to help with pollination but these are declining and costs are spiraling. There is a better way that they help the environment and this is to ensure that more diverse flowers and plants are in the foraging areas so they are now replacing some fields which just had one crop and growing wildflowers to encourage and help the bees to thrive. The most popular plants are
- wild rose
- sage
- manzanita
- flowering shrubs.
Up to now it has been normal to experience a decline in the honeybee population of about 15% a year which was normally caused by disease, mites and pests. However with the CCD, this decline has jumped to more than 30% in some areas and both the USDA and the UN are very worried about the future.
How YOU can help the environment
If you are buying dried bee pollen, you should ascertain how organic it is and what are the risks in the environment where the pollen is foraged and harvested. If you are worried that the quality may have been compromised, you should look for a bee product which is harvested in pristine conditions and processed to the highest possible standards such as New Zealand.
