Just in time for National Coffee Day, we want to help you learn more about the role of honeybees in your daily cup of joe. Did you know that honeybees are vital in producing the beans that go into your morning cup of coffee? If it weren’t for bees, there would be dramatically fewer coffee beans to harvest.
What’s all the buzz about National Gourmet Coffee Day?
First, let them have cake.
This Healthy Coffee Cake is a beautiful dessert for a breakfast treat, which was always a favorite in my household. This take is slightly healthier with no gluten or yeast and features blueberries. I made this in less than an hour, and it’s something special that doesn’t lead to too much guilt.
Bees and Coffee Blossoms go Together like Peas and Carrots.
As with many relationships in nature, the benefits are mutual. Coffee flowers provide high-quality, sugary nectar perfect for the bees. Bees improve the coffee berry by aiding in ripening through cross-pollination. Bees also improve the bean itself by making its size more uniform.
A recent study reveals that caffeine improves bees’ memory. Honeybees pollinate the beans and, in return, absorb some of the caffeine. The bees could recall where food was located after being exposed to caffeine.
Bees, Beans, Climate, and National Gourmet Coffee Day
Climate change is affecting both pollinators and the areas where coffee can grow. In our lifetime, there will be less ground suitable for producing coffee beans and fewer bees to pollinate the world’s flora. What’s more, some areas currently not suitable for coffee production will become suitable, while some locations lacking pollinators will install pollinators to improve harvests. These locations may not correlate, and we hope it will somehow work out. While hope isn’t necessarily a strategy, we should take notice of the folks working on this issue.
According to an article from NPR, "Coffee, Bees and Climate Change Are Linked In Ways You May Not Have Expected."
Let’s raise our cup of joe this morning to the bees and the beans and make a better environment for both. We must wake up early to figure out this climate change issue, but that’s what caffeine is for.
’ Natural caffeine brings antioxidants to the skin aiding with the texture, tone, and appearance of aging. Plus, coffee is notorious for removing unpleasant odors. Our all-new Coffee Bar Soap, slated to come out soon, is made with real coffee and leaves your skin squeaky clean, and polished.
Our Grounded Coffee Scrub incorporates locally roasted coffee with honey, sugar, skin-loving butter, and oils, leaving your skin smooth, softened, and awakened, and maybe even with a little less cellulite.
Celebrate National Gourmet Coffee Day with a bit of light
This Coffee Candle leaves the room smelling like a pot of fresh-brewed coffee. It’s a great kitchen candle for the early morning to get your juices flowing.
One dollop or two? Try a little bit of honey in your coffee
Honey works well in most recipes in place of processed sugar, up to a cup in baking. Chances are good that you won’t notice a difference. If you use a mild varietal like Clover, there is little or no difference in taste. If you prefer your coffee iced, we have you covered. Try this Iced Latte.
If you decide to try any of these recipes, take a photo and share them with us using #beeinspired on Instagram. We love seeing your photos!
