What exactly is bee pollen?

Bee pollen is essentially a by-product of the insect’s quest to gather nectar. When they return to their hives, bees store the pollen that accumulated on their bodies in cells (where it then, adorably, becomes known as bee bread) and use it to feed larvae (the young bees). Once stored, the pollen is ready for to be harvested and sold.

There is some evidence that human pollen consumption first began after World War II, when modern pollen traps were invented. However, it is only recently—within the past few decades or so—that bee pollen has been sold as a dietary supplement. And even more recently that it has made its way on top of everything from foie gras to acai bowls.

[Photo via @coldbrewblonde]

1 of 6