Bee bread is bee pollen that bees have mixed with honey and enzymes, then stored and fermented in the honeycomb. You may also see it called perga or ambrosia. This guide covers what it tastes like, how to eat it, how much people usually take, and how it differs from bee pollen.
What is bee bread?
Bees collect pollen, blend it with honey and their own enzymes, and pack it into honeycomb cells, where it ferments. The hive uses it as food. It contains protein, amino acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Other names: perga and ambrosia both mean bee bread. In Russian it's called перга.
What does bee bread taste like?
Bee bread is usually described as sweet, sour and tangy, sometimes slightly bitter or fermented. Some people find it more pleasant than raw pollen, and others prefer pollen. The granules are softer and chewier than bee pollen, and often look like small, irregular nuggets.
How do you eat bee bread?
- On its own: many people eat it straight and chew it slowly.
- With honey: if the taste is too strong, have it with a spoonful of honey.
- In small portions: its flavor is concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
- In smoothies: it can be done, but its sticky texture makes it harder to blend than bee pollen.
Prefer not to chew it? Bee Bread Capsules have no taste to get used to. For more serving ideas, see How to Eat Bee Bread.
How much bee bread per day?
- Granules: 1 to 2 teaspoons a day for adults is a common guideline. Start with a small amount.
- Capsules: 2 capsules a day. Each has 500 mg of bee bread, so that's 1,000 mg a day, and a bottle lasts 30 days.
Follow the directions on your product's label, and ask a qualified clinician if you're unsure what's right for you.
How do you store bee bread?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Refrigerating the granules is recommended to keep their quality.
Bee bread vs bee pollen: what's the difference?
| Bee Bread (Perga) | Bee Pollen | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Pollen fermented in the hive with honey and enzymes | Pollen collected by bees, with nothing added |
| Taste | Sweet, sour and tangy | Varies by the flowers it came from |
| Texture | Soft and chewy | Firmer granules |
| Easy to mix in? | Better eaten on its own | Easier to sprinkle or blend |
| Granules | 3.5 oz jar | 5.2 oz jar |
| Capsules | 60 capsules, 500 mg each | 60 capsules, 520 mg each |
Choose bee bread if you want the fermented form and don't mind a tangy taste. Choose bee pollen if you want pollen as bees collect it, or something easy to add to food.
Granules or capsules?
Choose granules if you like the taste and want bee bread as a food. Choose capsules if you want a simple daily routine, with no taste and no measuring.
Where to buy bee bread
Buy 2, save 15%. Buy 3, save 30%. Free shipping on orders over $50, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Safety information
Do not use if you have a known allergy to bee bread, pollen or bee products. Stop use if an allergic reaction occurs, and seek emergency care for difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat. Consult a qualified clinician before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, before giving it to a child, or if you take medication or have a medical condition.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.