Topical 24/10/24

Honey is one of the few foods which doesn’t spoil. Stored propertied, in a dark, dry cupboard or pantry, this natural product can last indefinitely, although it does crystallise over time, which gives it a cloudy appearance. If this happens, the flavour tends not to be affected. To change it back to its original appearance, place a bowl of warm water to break down the crystals. Most producers do recommend consuming honey within two years. Honey is not considered safe for babies, because of the risk of infant botulism, nor is it suitable for people with diabetes. Although a honey bee’s brain is about the size of a sesame seed, it can learn and remember new things, such as how far it has travelled and how effectively it has foraged. A queen bee can produce up to 2000 eggs a day although the amount and pace she lays her eggs is greatly controlled by weather and food availability. The queen bee controls her hive by releasing pheromones known as the queen’s scent. When a queen bee becomes too old to lay eggs, the other honey bees will either replace or kill her.