BEE FACT 16 – Royal Jelly is a milky substance produced in a special gland of the hypo-pharynx; located within the upper section of the young nurse bee’s head. For 2-3 days, royal jelly is the only food given to all young larvae in their maturation process, while the queen bee is fed Royal Jelly throughout their lives. During the 3 days in which the worker bee larvae are fed on royal jelly, they reach the maximum development; their weight multiplies about 250 times. The queen bee on a diet of Royal Jelly reaches maturity 5 days earlier than the worker bees; and, when she is fully grown, her weight is double that of the working bee.
NOTE: The Royal Jelly is the milky white substance pooling around the queen bee larvae in the “C” shape
RECIPE 16 – HONEYED HOT COCOA RECIPE a warm alternative to coffee or soft drinks
INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp honey – Sourwood honey or a fall wildflower honey / 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder / pinch Kosher salt / ½ cup milk
DIRECTIONS: Stove top
Whisk honey, cocoa powder, and salt in a 1-qt saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer and slowly whisk in milk. Cook, while stirring, until slightly thickened and beginning to bubble at edges.
SOURCE: Saveur Magazine, December 2013 Link to recipe.