Bee pollen is the product of pollen from flowers which is collected by bees and brought into the hive for storage and, later, to nourish bee larvae by combining it with nectar. Pollen is also used by bees for the construction of the hive itself. Fortunately for humans, this nutritious food can also be harvested from hives without any threat to the bees themselves. Many beekeepers remove the pollen from the hives periodically and store it either for human consumption or to be provided back to the bees in the future.
Cleaning
In order to store bee pollen, it is important to remove contaminants from the pollen. The best way is to spread it over a cookie sheet or other large area so that it is thin and easy to spot particles suspended in the pollen. Use your fingers or tweezers to pull out non-pollen substances that can taint the pollen in storage. The pollen should also be covered to prevent dust from getting in.
Freezing
According to the New South Wales Agriculture website, pollen does not need to be dried if it is going to be provided back to the bees: It can be frozen. This is more advantageous to the bees since drying reduces the nutritive value of the pollen. Pollen should be placed in sealed containers and placed in a freezer until it is ready to be consumed or fed back to the bees. But freezing can be a more difficult and costly storage method, since freezer space and electricity are required to maintain the pollen, and poorly sealed containers can reduce the quality of the pollen.
Dehydration Process
Bee pollen needs to be dried out to a hard consistency before it can be stored without refrigeration. One way to do this is to place the baking tray inside an oven and bake it at a low temperature --- around 120 degrees usually works. If you go too high, particularly above 150 degrees, you risk denaturing some of the substances in the pollen and reducing its benefits. You can also place it outside in the shade on a hot, dry day, although you should cover it to keep insects from messing with it.
Pinch Test
Test the pollen with a pinch test. This is done by taking a small portion of the pollen and trying to crush it between your fingers. If it does not break or only breaks under high stress, the pollen is dried and ready to be stored.
Storage
Pollen should be placed in air-tight containers to protect it from contaminants and extend its shelf life. The jar or container should then be placed in a dark, cool, dry location to prevent aging from the sun, heat or humidity. Most bee pollen will last months without any signs of aging when stored in this way.
Benefits
Bee pollen features a number of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. It is sometimes used topically to treat diaper rash and/or eczema, and some people also use it to threat allergies, asthma, and some types of infection. It is often sold in health stores as a supplement.
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