Harvesting Bee Bread (Perga)

Bee bread (perga) is the pollen collected by bees and stored packed into comb cells together with honey and secretions; it is the colony's protein store. It is obtained by extracting it from the comb cells as hexagonal granules, which makes it far more laborious to harvest than raw pollen. Its production should be planned with the colony's protein needs and the comb renewal cycle in mind.

What is bee bread (perga)?

A forager bringing pollen into the hive drops the pellets from its legs into a cell near the brood nest. Young bees press the pollen into the cell with their heads and add some honey and secretions on top. The cell fills layer by layer; sometimes a thin layer of honey is added at the top. This packed, slightly sour mass is called bee bread (perga, ambrosia).

Perga is the basic source of protein that allows nurse bees to secrete royal jelly and larvae to be fed. In the hive it usually forms a band immediately around the brood nest, while honey is stored further out and higher up.

How is bee bread made? The question of fermentation

In perga, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts from the hive are mixed with the pollen together with honey and bee secretions, and the acidity inside the cell rises. In the traditional account this process is described as "fermentation", and perga is regarded as a transformed food with increased digestibility.

Recent research has changed the picture somewhat: the findings suggest that the process serves mainly to preserve the pollen from spoiling rather than substantially transforming its nutritional value. Bees also often consume stored pollen within days or weeks. In short, perga is properly stored and preserved pollen; claims such as "many times better than raw pollen" are not supported by evidence.

What is the difference between bee bread and bee pollen?

How is bee bread harvested?

Perga is inside the comb cells, and the comb has to be processed to obtain it. The general method is as follows:

1. Selecting combs: Combs without brood that are mostly filled with pollen are chosen. These are often the frames at the edge of the brood nest.
2. The colony's share: Make sure the hive has sufficient pollen stores and a flow of foragers bringing in pollen; the colony's perga must never be taken down to zero.
3. Separating from the comb: The comb is cut out of the frame. It is frozen to make it brittle, then broken up, and the wax and perga are separated from each other with sieves or special separators.
4. Drying: If necessary, the granules are dried at a low temperature in a ventilated space; high heat damages quality.
5. Cleaning: Wax crumbs, bits of cocoon and foreign matter are picked out.

This process makes the comb unusable; the remaining wax is melted down and put to use. That is why harvesting perga is economical if it is planned together with the comb renewal cycle: combs that are due to be replaced anyway are chosen.

The cost to the colony

Perga is the colony's protein store for winter and early spring. In early spring, when pollen outside is scarce, it is this store that gets brood rearing started. Over-harvesting directly limits brood rearing and delays spring build-up.

• Timing: The harvest is done when pollen is flowing abundantly and the colony can quickly replenish its stores.
• Before winter: The winter pollen stores are not taken in autumn.
• Weak colonies: No perga is taken from weak or newly split colonies.

How should bee bread be stored?

• Dry and cool: Store in a dry, cool and dark place.
• Container: Use an airtight, food-safe glass or suitable plastic container.
• Long term: Freezing improves quality and protection against pests.
• Moisture: Perga that absorbs moisture goes mouldy; mouldy product is not used.

Combs full of perga that have not been separated are attractive to wax moth in storage; if these combs are to be kept, they should be protected by freezing.

Common mistakes

• Processing combs with brood: Brood is lost and bits of larvae and cocoons get mixed into the product.
• Taking perga in autumn: The colony enters winter without a protein store, and spring build-up is delayed.
• Drying at high temperatures: Colour, aroma and nutrients are damaged.
• Using combs from a treatment period: Residues accumulated in the wax and pollen pass into the product.
• Leaving perga-filled combs exposed in storage: An open invitation to wax moth and mould.

Bee bread and health

Perga is a product rich in nutrients and has a traditional use. However, studies showing specific health effects in humans are limited; the product cannot be sold with treatment claims. Because it is derived from pollen, it carries an allergy risk; people with pollen allergy or asthma should consult a doctor before eating it.