Florence McLaughlin, age 8, of Lynn, Mass., for her question:
HOW DO BEES MAKE HONEY?
Bees make thick, sweet honey from flower nectar. Nectar is a watery fluid that bees are able to sip from the blossoms of flowers and then carry to their hives. Each worker bee has a special pouch called a "honey bag" inside its body. This is where the bee stores the nectar it collects.
In the bee's honey bag, the sugar and nectar are broken down by a process called "inversion" into two simple sugars, levulose and dextrose. After the honeybees deposit the nectar in the hive, they allow most of the water to evaporate and the liquid becomes thicker. The bees also add enzymes that enhance the honey's flavor.
Actually, the flavor and color of the honey is influenced by the kinds of flowers from which the nectar comes. Honey ranges in color from white through dark amber. The light colored honeys usually have the mildest flavors.
The most common honey plants used in the processing of honey for commercial use are alfalfa, alsike (CQ) clover, sweet clover and white clover.
Many regional plants produce excellent honey. Clovers are common in the North with buckwheat flowers often used in the East. In the South, bees obtain nectar from tupelo, mesquite, sourwood and gallberry.
Among the white honeys, that from the California white sage rates first followed by orange blossom honey. Fall flowers, such as goldenrod and asters, give a dark honey.
Nutritionists tell us that honey is an excellent energy food because it contains simple sugars that can be used quickly by the body. It differs chemically from cane sugar, which is also an energy food.
Honey also contains mineral salts and other minerals needed by the body. It is the only form of sugar that does not need to be refined.
Bakers often use honey in place of sugar for their products. Also, many cough medicines and laxatives are made with honey.
Approximately 250 million pounds of honey are processed each year in the United States and Canada.
Florida and California are the leading honey producing states in the U.S. Other leading states and Canadian provinces, listed in the order of their importance, include Alberta, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Texas, Iowa, Manitoba and Nebraska.
Today, honey suppliers usually remove the waxy cells or honeycombs that contain the honey and then seal it in airtight containers. This keeps the honey fresh for many months.
Commercial producers place the honeycombs in honey extractors. These machines whirl the honeycombs around, forcing the honey out. The honey is then bottled and sold.
When honey stands for a long time, the liquid may separate to form lumps called crystals. Some people prefer their honey in this form. Honey butter is also available and it is made by beating honey and butter together. Honey has been an important diet item with man since ancient times.