Pollen as creamed honey seed?

[xC0000005]

I harvested a frame of comb that was just crazy (tied in from a cut out). A lot of the comb had pollen in it. When the bees capped the honey, they packed honey on top of the pollen. Turns out my wife liked this pollen/honey mixture best. That got me to thinking - could one use pollen as creamed honey seed?

Anyone tried this?

[Bizzybee]

If you haven't seen this before, it's worth a few minutes to read.

http://www.masterbeekeeper.org/creamhoney.htm

I don't know that it could be used as a starter, that isn't exactly how it all happens. And it may even be more detrimental to the process than an accelerator or alternative media. But I'm just thinking out loud. I know there are many flavors to be had.

But I'll agree with your wife that it's quite tasty! I never really thought of it in that application but it very well could be something worth pursuing! You would think it could be a big hit for the folks that like to use pollen in the first place. And maybe pick up a few that aren't so big on it?

Maybe someone has tried it before or heard of it and will put a plug in here. If not, let us know how it turns out!

[Chef Isaac]

I would think that adding pollen would/could be a marketing benefit to it however, you need to have a pound of seed for 10 pounds of honey, which is the recomended amount.

It is "faster" to use creamed honey as a starter.

[xC0000005]

I have read that, and recommend it to anyone who hasn't (it's a very good guide to what happens). It might be that honey crystalization is different. I'll see if I can trap some pollen and give it a try. Worst that would happen would be that it never "sets".

[riverrat]

I have had some thoughts on this myself my thought was not making creamed honey but to add pollen to the honey to inhance it for people buying the honey for allergies. one reason I havent tried it is the fear of the honey crystalizing quicker. unfiltered honey usually will crystalize quicker due to particles in the honey that allow the crystal to form around. however I have about 20lbs of collected pollen I think I will make up a small jar with added pollen and a small jar of the same honey has a control and let them set to see if there is a difference in the crystalzation rate.

[xC0000005]

I'll be awaiting your success/failure. Honey+pollen (liquid) was something I was considering as well but I don't have loose pollen handy to try. Let us know how it goes.

[JohnBeeMan]

I believe that the seed must have a 'crystal' basic structure. The smaller the crystal the better.