There’s nothing I love more than a great superfood. I love when food is not only beautiful and delicious but also health building. So when a food, such as bee pollen, is labelled ‘the most complete food on earth’, how could I not love it?
I don’t. I can’t stand this stuff and I feel a bit inferior because of this- like being unable to work out a delicious way to consume ‘the most complete food on earth’, makes me fall short as your fearless nutritionista leader.
Alas, I might just be deemed a failure in this regard because try as I might, I absolutely despise this food. It tastes, to me, like a potpourri of the smell when you first walk into a health food store, the Body Shop’s Dewberry perfume which I wore when I was fourteen, mixed with Irish Spring and decorated wax crayon under-tones… But it’s so healthy and I really want to love it.
Bee pollen is basically plant sperm. The grains contain the male germ cells, produced by all plants, flowers or blossoms. One teaspoon of pollen contains approximately 1,200 pellets or 2.5 billion grains. And what do those grains contain?
- Pollen functions as a natural energizer for the body, high in b-vitamins, vital for energy production at a cellular level.
- High concentration of lecithin helps with dissolving and flushing fat cells, as well as nourishing the cells of the brain.
- Helps to reduce food cravings thanks, in part, to the natural phenylalanine (an amino acid), which acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
- Helpful in restoring the health the reproductive system and promotes relief from the discomfort of PMS
- It helps speed up caloric burn by stimulating the metabolic system.
- Bee pollen benefits the immune system. It contains proteins, mono and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins B, C, D, E, and beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, selenium, nucleic acids, lecithin, and cysteine, all of which have been proven effective in strengthening the immune system.
- Bee pollen helps you to cope more easily with stress thanks to the full profile of amino acids, essential fatty acids and vitamins. This sweet and dense combo helps regulate mood.
- The amino acids within Bee Pollen are precursors to human growth hormone (HGH). Bee Pollen also contains a gonadotropic hormone very similar to the human pituitary hormone, gonadotropin, which functions as a sex gland hormone. (Research conducted at various European Universities have shown in trials conducted with impotent men that more than half of those given bee pollen experienced a dramatic improvement of sperm and most gained a higher level of self-confidence, and were able to perform better sexually… after just one month of taking bee pollen- hello!)
See- so pollen is amazing and I absolutely hate it. I need your help. Please, please pretty please send me your tips and recipes for getting it down. I want links, I want recipes, I want help ’cause I want to love it, and I want you to love it, or at least try it.
Thanks in advance for all your helpful suggestions. Peachy sweet and the the idea, suggestion, link that I decide is most helpful for my regular ingestion of this super food will receive a complementary advance copy of my Healing with Super Foods tutorial soon to be released- and supplements are not an option.
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I mix it though my morning smoothie… Yum! First things first
I can still taste it though…
Ahh! the Body Shop fragrances. Dewberry perfume is making a comeback, eh?
I’ve never tried bee pollen, and now I’m not sure I want to! I’d love to hear people’s recipes as well fo some ideas on how to use it.
3/4 cup yogurt (I make my own coconut milk yogurt)
1 tablespoon bee pollen
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Other than the yellow from the bee pollen, this mixture really masks the taste… you could always add a bit of flax meal too if you want to disguise the taste even more.
I want to make my own coconut yogurt! I really do! How?
I love the stuff! I add it to my smoothies, but like you mentioned you can still taste it.. how about your oatmeal or morning cereal??
Ugh… Adding pollen to my oatmeal is a fantastic way for me to practice the whole eating to 80% full (or maybe 20%). One bite and I am out.
I find bee pollen helps keep both my allergies and my anxiety in check. I just put a tablespoon in my porridge every morning. You can’t really taste it in there so perhaps that would help you start getting some in your diet.
P.S. If you can still taste it, throw in some nut butter… that covers it up like a charm.
Now we’re talking!
Does it really mask the taste??? I’ve been gagging it back stoically, but instead of learning to like it, I’m getting to the point where even thinking about it (let alone smelling the stuff!) makes my stomach turn!
I was gonna say smoothie too but ify ou can still taste it…..maybe you should put it in the blender with E3 Live because nothing tastes worse than than that and they may balance each other out. I’ve also learned a little apple cider (NOT vinegar) masks a lot of tastes….but the smell….I don’t know. I gagged a little just reading your description. Good luck with that. And I say, If you don’t like it, DON’T eat it, no matter how “super” it’s supposed to be!
Awesome. Bad + Bad = Really bad but so good for you? And I have that rule too about not liking something, don’t eat it- but this pollen is a bit of a thorn in my nutritionista side.
Funny, I have a jar of this sitting on my counter, and just this morning I was wondering the same thing! haha..
I agree, you can totally smell/taste it in smoothies… ick… Let us know if you figure out a way!?
Maybe with a spoon full of honey!?!?
I like this!
I usually put it in smoothies as well and don’t seem to taste it.
I also add it to that great hot chocolate drink you posted. In the hot chocolate drink I also add Maca or lucuma.
I got mine from a company in BC – unfortunately they were out of local bee pollen so I ordered the one from spain instead and I have to say it’s not bad at all.
Have you tried other kinds of bee pollen – maybe your batch is just not that nice tasting
Good luck!!
I can’t eat the stuff on it’s own; it tastes sort of…gamey(?)…I guess is the only way I can describe it.
HOWEVER, I absolutely love it mixed with Artisana coconut butter and rolled into little candies. Sometimes I add a little lime juice, because everything tastes better with lime. It might be good covered in chocolate too, but mine never lasts long enough for me to get the chocolate melted. It actually never really lasts long enough to get rolled into candies either. I usually just eat it with a spoon. Yum!
I also found this interesting recipe online:
http://www.detox-safely.com/bee-pollen-popcorn.html
I keep meaning to buy some since bee pollen does have so many benefits and is one of the more affordable superfoods but now you’ve scared me a bit! I think rather than contaminate a whole smoothie or food bowl the best bet is to just suck it up and take it down all at once, why prolong the agony? I know you are strong and have done plenty of more not so nice things that benefited your health. Just give yourself the two minute pep talk and feel the powers running straight into your blood.. and then chug down something that tastes good right after! I bet talking the bee pollen in a bit of honey and almond butter mix would help a little too.
**taking not talking
I’ve included a write-up on my blog about how I make my own coconut milk yogurt. The full instructions are here: http://moreoptimism.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/tiling-and-experimenting-with-bacteria/
Let me know how yours turns out!
Meghan,
Obviously you’re sensitive to the taste so putting it in a smoothie or oatmeal like the rest of us may not work….I would suggest pairing it with the strongest flavours you can think of…I am thinking a blend of cacoa, ginger, lemon? You could add some agave and coconut oil and make little truffles. Or maybe put it in your raw warm cocoa drink?
If that doesn’t work, why not consider…
…not eating it.
Even you don’t have to be perfect, Meghan. If your meals are so full of other delicious superfoods, I hardly think bee pollen is gonna be your downfall
Sometimes our body rejects things for important reasons, and there’s no point in fighting that.
Good luck, Queen Bee!
Ahh, yes. I remember wearing the Body Shop’s Dewberry products. Now it makes my head hurt, so I avoid it and people wearing it.
Maybe, like Dewberry, you’ve outgrown whatever it is that bee pollen would be giving you. Try it again in five years and see if you feel differently. (I am making this up as I go along, so bear with me.) It could be that you get so much good stuff elsewhere in your diet that you just don’t need what bee pollen is offering you. Maybe your aversion is your body’s way of telling you that taking it would be redundant – and expensive. (Like how I’m trying to get you off the hook here?)
As for feeling inferior for you dislike…you do realize that none of your readers likely think any less of you for your dislike. We already know you cheerfully work psyllium and enemas into your healthy lifestyle. Scary stuff. We already know you rock for what you do do, we’re certainly not going to fret about what your don’t. (Like how I worked a “do do” in there? I’ve heard you nutritionistas talk a lot about poop.)
And if the thorn still jabs your nutritionista side, stuff it in capsules, toss them in and wash them down with one of your awesome-delish smoothies. Problem solved. Sort of.
Maybe with Chocolate? I like to sprinkle it in my raw chocolate recipe, talk about energy balls.
Raw Chocolate with Bee Pollen, its so easy. Combine raw cacoa butter, coconut oil, raw cacoa powder and agave nectar. Melt all ingredients, pour into molds, sprinkle in the bee pollen, place molds in freezer to set. Love these little babies and I hope you will too.
Thanks for all your great info Meghan, I think you rock.
I don’t have any bee pollen, but I found these recipes online. http://www.bee-pollen-buzz.com/bee-pollen-recipes.html
Good luck, and I’m sure you’ll report back with any good recipes you tried.
They do mention that you have to start with a small amount to get used to it. Also, it could be the brand you have. The Jarrow Bee Pollen is supposed to be excellent, according to Renegade Health. Haven’t tried it yet, so I don’t know. I feel the same way about spirulina — don’t like the taste at all, but I know it’s good for me
check your source sweetheart, like everything in the superfood world, there is a host of different qualities in bee pollen. some of them do taste like soap. some of them taste like the nectar of the gods. i had an amazing source last year but due to the poopy winter we had, they did not get a lot of pollen. i have a new connection in guelph if you want to try it out.
thoughts
elana loves
I’m going to be a bit blasphemous and say – do you HAVE to eat them? Sure, they are very healthy and a superfood and whatnot, but eating should be fun, right? So why make yourself eat something just because it’s a superfood? You’re allowed to dislike stuff, even if it’s super-healthy. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You can be a Goddess of Nutrition regardless of not wanting to eat icky plant sperm.
I just really want to like this one is all…
To me, all pollens are not created equal, some are much tastier (in a good way) than others. The best pollen I have found so far (and it is expensive) I bought at the Big Carrot. It is fresh (and not hard like little pebbles) and sold in Mason jars sealed with wax (in the dispensary section, in the fridges at the back). It tastes flower-y and melts in your mouth. Good luck!
Dude, even bees don’t like pollen. That’s why they barf it up in their little honeycombs.
bee barf = honey = tasty
Screw the pollen.
I used to mix a tablespoon of bee pollen with a tablespoon of coconut oil and just eat it during a two month juice feast. I loved it. It does take some getting used to but I also agree that some types are better than others. I like the chocolate idea…chocolate makes everything better!
I echo what others said (and was going to say it before I read the comments):
1. Smoothie.
2. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. You already eat a lot of superfoods.
I like what Laurie said.
Hmm, yeah, I am wondering about what elana wrote. I have only bought bee pollen once, and I liked it. Didn’t find it soapy or overpowering at all. I wonder if the quality does differ, or if I’m just not that picky. Both seem highly feasible
Toronto Life’s Daily Dish picked this up. I saw it via RSS feed.
http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/pantry-raid/2010/03/10/latest-buzz-bee-pollen-is-the-new-super-disturbing-superfood/
Seems the more obscure and random I get- the more it circulates.
Which brand do you – bee pollen users – recommend? I have found this Dutchmans Gold brand, from Ontario, but am not sure of its quality. Any suggestions?
TIA!
I’ve been taking it too, but can’t STAND it! It’s also the only one I’ve tried…
I’m not really a huge fan of pollen either. Although, I put it in my shake every morning, about a teaspoon, and can’t really taste it!
I’m also a huge fan of your superman’s balls, and add pollen to those as well. since there are so many things in them, you can’t taste the pollen… it’s great!! =)
Ooooh! Why didn’t I think of that!
I use the Dutchman’s Gold ‘Bee Pollen in Raw Honey’ and find it tastes very pleasant. I’m not sure how much bee pollen is actually in this product, but maybe it could be an introduction to bee pollen?
I’m making a batch of your Maple Oatmeal Super Cookies today with that honey. It’s my first time trying your recipe, but I know it’s going to be delicious!
Only use the fresh pollen: the kind you get in the refrigerated section of a health food store. It is usually by the flax oil and probiotics. The dry stuff in bags is NO GOOD. I’ve also read that a way to test if your pollen is rancid is to sprinkle some on some water. If it floats it’s bad, if it sinks it’s good. I believe I got that from Annie Jubb’s Life Food Recipe Book.
I’m not that crazy about pollen either, but for me it’s more of a texture issue. Here’s what I do with anything that I’m not fond of. I make my delicious smoothie. Pour it into a glass and there’s always a little remaining in the blender, right? To that last bit, I add whatever super foods I find un-appetizing and just down that in a couple gulps. Then I drink up the glass of deliciousness. I think of it like taking my medicine. I’ve found that I’ve actually gotten used to a lot of stuff that way too. I now throw my spirulina and maca into my whole smoothie b/c I LIKE the tastes.
[...] I wanted to give the momma of my niece all the best things. I was also playing around with ways to sneak more bee pollen into my diet. Wrap it in chocolate and I’ll eat [...]
I found bee pollen the other day in 500 mg Capsules. I just started taking them today, so i will see how things go… So far so good though.
So, have you been eating your bee pollen Meghan?
Hah! I am putting some very positive affirmations around it. I bought it in capsule form but have recently been braking them open and adding to smoothies. Baby steps.
I’ve been hearing about the benefits of Bee Pollen for a long time and am finally getting around to trying it…I’ve incorporated into a liver flush juice recipe from Thailand that includes; orange, ginger, garlic, cayenne and olive oil…And it’s great!
We bought ourselves a VITA MIX last year and have just recently decided to try bee pollen. We toss it in along with all the fruits and ginger we normally have and can’t taste it at all. I can feel good effects after only a few days!
[...] the consistency, and need a little motivation, check out what Meghan Telpner has to say about the benefits of bee pollen. She has her struggles with the flavor, but knows it is worth it for all of the health benefits [...]
[...] I wanted to give the momma of my niece all the best things. I was also playing around with ways to sneak more bee pollen into my diet. Wrap it in chocolate and I’ll eat [...]
Do I need to keep bee pollen in the fridge? Also, how about raw honey, does it need to be refrigerated after opening??
Thanks a bunch!
Honey is the only food on earth that never goes bad. Both are a-okay to be kept out.
Greetings from Down Under Australia! I just bought a small jar of bee pollen from the local farmers market as I have heard and read such good reports etc – I decided to treat myself to a superfood I wouldn’t normally be able to afford all the time, I was excited to try it – not knowing how HORRIBLE the taste is!! I sprinkled a teaspoon into my smoothie and that was ok, but then the next day I sprinkled it on my museli and all I did was gag, gag some more and ended up spitting it out! Luckily it was the dregs of my breakfast as I had half eaten it before remembering to use the stuff… ugh!
So this morning I tried again – in a smoothie, but now because I can remember the taste – I can taste it in the smoothie – I managed to get it down, but not easily!
Now that I have paid for the pollen, I will use it, but yeah I think I might have to try it in something sweeter like honey to get it down… I hope there are benefits to be had now! I can’t afford a lot of these superfoods so I tend to just try one at a time every so often, I might have to try some of the other suggestions here!
[...] the consistency, and need a little motivation, check out what Meghan Telpner has to say about the benefits of bee pollen. She has her struggles with the flavor, but knows it is worth it for all of the health benefits [...]
Right-e-o. I googled to come up with new recipe ideas for eating bee pollen…found your site and others…gave up looking cause no one has a decent easy recipe for eating it and making it taste good.
Went to the kitchen, grabbed a teaspoon, dipped it in raw honey, rolled it in bee pollen and ate it. Tastes pretty reasonable…not gourmet food but no gag reflex…
Almost candy-like…could really satisfy me in a sweet tooth moment. The honey flavour well masks the gaminess of the pollen. Best medicine I have ever tasted. So that’s my new way. = )
I really think it is an acquired taste. Our palettes are used to things that taste good and sugary. We have unlearned how to appreciate raw unprocessed foods. 10grams is not a lot and if you have a favorite food that has strong flavors and smells pop those 10grams in there and have at it. This should also over power the smell. I think you are right to keep trying though. the pluses do outweigh the minuses. good luck
By the way at this point it may also be a matter of subconscious programming. Even if you can’t taste it for real the mind knows its in there. The mind can send your tongue and olfactory glands the wrong message.
I loved your openness about this challenge, so much so that I blogged about it! http://torontomarketing.blogspot.com/2011/11/marketing-example-of-week-nutritionist.html.
I recently started experimenting with bee pollen and found the best way to camouflage it and even bring out good qualities in the taste (you don’t have to agree with that last part though!!) is to grind it, mix it into peanut butter and then use that peanut butter / bee pollen mixture as a spread. You can get 2 teaspoons of bee pollen onto a single slice of toast, easily. Strong flavored bread helps (I eat it with whole rye).
[...] my favourite. Why would I ever eat something I didn’t like, just because it was good for me (though I have tried)? Â There is no fun in [...]
[...] my favourite. Why would I ever eat something I didn’t like, just because it was good for me (though I have tried)? There is no fun in [...]
I just read that post and the comments and I’m wondering why nobody mentioned to just swallow it with a glass of water. This is what I do every morning. I don’t like the taste of bee pollen either so I’m just taking a teaspoonful of it with water and voilà! All the goods without the yucky taste.
Do you chew it?
I found this blog while doing a google search for the issue. I HATE the taste of bee pollen. The smell alone is enough to churn my stomach. If I can’t choke it down, then I had no hope of my kids eating it either. In fact, they see the little yellow balls and hand back to me whatever it is I tried to sneak it in. So, desperate times call for desperate measures and this tip perhaps undoes all the good the bee pollen provides, but here it is: you can get a good amount of it into a tablespoon of Nutella without even noticing the taste at all. My kids will eat and I will eat it too (as long as I don’t chew). Perhaps it will work with strong favored nut butters too. Or I might be able to find a way to make a less sugary Nutella.
Try this recipe: http://gracefulfitnessblog.com/2011/06/27/berry-bliss/
(Healthy chocolate tarts with bee pollen hidden in it, and a fresh berry topping.)
Here is a smoothie that you absolutely cannot taste the pollen in. Apple juice, protein powder, 1 Tbsp wheat germ, 1Tbsp flax seeds, pineapple, banana & the star of the show…..2 Tbsp bee pollen granules. Hope this helps anyone who wants to love the pollen. Also as others have said, it’s an acquired taste so keep trying it & eventually, in some weird way, you will begin to crave it!
I pride myself on my diverse pallette, but I thought I was going to gag it up the first time I tried bee pollen. My recommendation is to crush up your daily amount with a mortar and pestle, and then mix in enough honey to make it mushy. You don’t have to chew it, so you mostly taste the honey.
I put bee pollen in my homemade chocolates with lemon rind and sometimes some lavender flower too. You cant taste the bee pollen at all! The lemon rind and lavender have very heady and dominating flavours!
Apparently bee pollen + raw cacao is an amazing combo in terms of nutrition.
Ooooo, and I forgot to say that I use coconut sugar – so when you bite into the chocolates you get these yummy sweet crunchy crystals that also flavour over the bee pollen.