Bee Pollen (Ape Polline)

First of all, do you know the name of those cute little 3-wheel Italian "trucks" with a short bed in the back and room for one person? They are called Ape, Italian for "bees" because of the buzzing noise they make when driving.  

In Sardegna, there are many ape buzzing around and they are making the most delicious honey and bee pollen, especially because of the pure environment and special flowers found only here. April is prime pollen collecting time as many of the flowers are blooming. Going with Michael Zipp (my host in Bosa) to collect bee pollen was my first "bee keeping" experience. Bee pollen is supposed to have many health benefits including aiding in allergy relief, increasing your immune system, and they are a complete source of nutrition (containing lipids, proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals). 

These are bee boxes. Each box contains 40,000- 60,000 bees. These boxes are filled with Italian bees, which are rumored to be the most productive of the 3 races of bees. A bee takes approximately 30 days to develop and hatch and another 30 days to be able to make honey. The queen bee will lay 2,000 eggs per day. A bee will return only to its own box for its entire life. 

Michael is opening the trap door in the back and sliding out the screen. He empties the screens once every 2-3 days and will collect approximately 8-10 kg (17-22 lbs) of pollen each time. 

Pollen on the screen. The different colors of each of the granules of pollen represent a different flower. Each screen will have a different color combination, depending on which flowers the bees from that box had visited in those days.  

There are multiple locations to collect pollen. Michael will keep each location collection separated. This particular location is in a field with sheep overlooking the coastline and is surrounded by many flowers and trees. 

The pollen collection after dumping in a few trays. Can you see the color difference of a few trays- the one on the left has more yellow/brown and the one on the right has more orange.

Bee pollen granules. They are slightly soft but still cohesive. There is also a 6 hour drying process that they will go through immediately upon arrival back at home. This drying process will allow them to be preserved and enjoyed for a longer period of time.  

The final collection from this site. Approximately 8 kilos. 

Pollen has a distinct flavor. It is slightly sweet and funny enough, floral, but it also has a slightly grainy or mealy flavor as well.

The Asfodello flower, native to Sardegna. The terra cotta color pollen granules are collected from this flower. Sardinian pollen can collect a hefty price as well. Wholesale pollen prices are approximately 45 euro/kg.

The beautiful poppy. The black pollen granules come from the poppy flower.