Friend and bee expert, David Roubik, transferred a large bee hive from a too small (but very heavy log) to a clean and large house. After taking two different chain saws to the log I saw what was inside. The bees had used the majority of space for trash and waste. A very small area in the log was used to store pollen and nectar. The bee “residence” was a grey-black mass the size of a rugby ball, layered with paper-thin material.

These bees don’t create the layers of “combs” that honey bees do.

But these bees make something that tastes even better. The nectar and pollen is stored in waxy resin containers. These vessels are the size and shape of small gourds. The honey inside is an elixir that tastes like a sauterne wine! Layered with citrus and flowers, the wine is sweet, and about the same thickness as a sauterne.

I don’t know that I’ll ever taste that complex, delicious honey again.

Want a close up? – play the video.