Nature has given us so much. It has blessed us with bees, flowers, nectar, honey, and honey comb!
Can you eat honeycomb? It’s a question that many people ask when they see the sticky, sweet-smelling, yellow (sometimes brown) nuggets in their beehives.
In this blog post, we embark on a journey to answer the question: Can you eat honeycomb?
What is a Honey Comb?
Is it edible, or is it just a beautiful but inedible creation of our bees?
A honey comb is a cluster of hexagonal wax cells made by honey bees in their hives. These hexagonal cells serve multiple purposes within the beehive.
The hexagon-shaped wax structures house the bees’ brood and store pollen and honey. Bees create these wax cells so they can store pollen and honey for themselves and other members of the hive.
Every cell in a honeycomb is intricately structured by honeybees using beeswax. Bees use their incredible instinct and teamwork to construct the honeycomb, with each worker bee contributing to the building process.
Is Honeycomb Edible?
Yes, honeycomb is edible. It is composed of beeswax cells filled with honey, and both honey and beeswax are edible.
Many people prefer eating honeycomb to eating honey due to its texture. Eating raw honeycomb is comparable to munching on a chewy candy. At first bite, honey oozes out.
What Does Honey Comb Taste Like?
The actual taste of raw honeycomb depends somewhat on its honey quality. The honey inside of the honeycomb is usually crystalized and tastes a little bit sweeter than plain honey.
Some of the wax combs dissolve in your mouth while you chew, but you almost always end up having to spit out some remaining chewed wax after you’ve chewed the honey out of the comb.
YouTube Creator Sauce Stach did a fantastic tasting video:
Do You Have to Spit Out the Honeycomb After Extracting Honey Out of It?
The answer to this question depends on one’s personal preference.
You don’t necessarily have to spit out the honeycomb after extracting the honey from it. The honeycomb itself can be consumed. Beeswax, the material used to create the honeycomb, is safe for consumption.
Some people enjoy chewing longer on the honeycomb to get the most out of the honey within. Others simply discard it after extracting as much honey as they can.
The honeycomb can be somewhat chewy in texture. Some say it would be like munching on wax-flavored chewing gum if you choose to eat it.
Benefits of Eating Honey Comb
Eating honeycomb has many health benefits. Here are the potential benefits one would get from eating raw honeycomb.
Raw Honeycomb has High Nutritional Value
Honeycomb is a rich source of essential vitamins such as Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and D, and other minerals.
Vitamins A and B in unprocessed honey found in honeycombs promote better gut health.
It also has trace amounts of Vitamin C that boost the immune system and bolster immune health.
Vitamin D is effective in supporting the body’s ability to absorb phosphorus and calcium for better bone development. It has also been known to reduce the growth of disease-causing bacteria that can cause infections.
Honey contains calcium and magnesium. This honey makes honeycomb effective in alleviating overall health.
Honeycomb is a natural Product that Can Prevent Many Diseases
Honeycomb contains long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that can help lower bad cholesterol levels in the body.
A high cholesterol level allows for the accumulation of lipids in your blood that can increase the risk of suffering from stroke and heart disease.
In a research study, beeswax alcohols have shown efficacy in the management of fatty liver disease and help improve liver function.
A Whole Honeycomb Contains Raw Honey
A honeycomb is a storage vessel for raw honey, and consuming it allows you to enjoy the organic honey within the comb.
Honey is known to have antibacterial properties. It can soothe sore throats, boost energy, and provide relief from coughs and colds.
Raw honey has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and protect your body from free radicals that can cause diseases.
In particular, honey contains Polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that boost heart health and immunity to prevent and manage chronic diseases.
Raw Honeycomb Can be a sugar alternative
A natural comb contains raw honey that can be used to sweeten any menu or recipe. Honeycomb remains a better corn syrup or sugar substitute.
Honeycomb contains natural enzymes, including amylase and invertase, which can aid in digestion. These enzymes may help break down complex carbohydrates and facilitate better nutrient absorption.
Since honey is sweeter than sugar, you do not need to put much when using it as a sweetener. Too much intake of table sugar has been known to increase blood sugar levels.
Who Should Be Careful About Eating Honeycomb?
Pregnant women should be careful about eating honeycombs.
Honey in the honeycomb may contain Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium known to release botulinum toxin.
This toxin affects the nerves in the body, causing botulism, a disease characterized by breathing difficulties, muscle paralysis, and, in severe cases, lack of consciousness and even death.
Children under 12 months of age are also at risk of contamination from C. botulinum bacteria.
Unlike mature kids and adults, babies have fragile digestive systems. Their bodies are unable to process and move the toxins inside their bodies, causing infant botulism.
Additionally, the honeycombs contain beeswax, pollen, propolis, bee venom, royal jelly, and honey. Any person who is allergic to these natural honey-related products should take extra precautions before consuming honeycombs as it might trigger an allergic reaction.
Where Can You Buy Honeycomb?
Usually, you will find them at farmers’ markets or by calling your local beekeeper. Your local gourmet store may also have some in store.
However, there are a few good ones you can buy online as well. Here are a few options to choose from:
Pure Raw Acacia Honeycomb by Savannah Bee
- The majority of comb in these squares is Acacia Honey, but there are some other sources present. This honeycomb's light color, mild taste, incredible clarity, and slow rate of crystallization make it very versatile.
- Light and sweet with subtle hints of vanilla
- The most no-frills way to eat honeycomb is to simply carve out a spoonful and eat it. This way, you are sure to taste the honeycomb in all its unfettered glory.
Taj Gourmet All Natural Raw Honeycomb
- Our Organic Honeycomb is uniquely light in flavor and unique quality for a delicate taste sourced from the nectar of the natural trees in Hungary’s vast forests, known for producing exceptionally pure, high-quality honey.
- Our Honey Combs raw edible is a natural source of rich, complex vitamins.
- Our honeycombs have a deeper, more complex flavor than honey itself, richer in flavor with all the food the bees eat.
Honeycomb by the Austin Honey Co.
- 6 oz. honeycomb
- Raw Wildflower Honey from Austin, TX area organic farms
- 100% Pure Honey
- Nourishing Blend of Local Pollens & Nectars
100% Natural Bee Honeycomb by Néctar de los Dioses
- Gluten-free.
- Natural honeycomb packed in a convenient and elegant box
Our Take Away
Honeycomb can be a great natural sweet snack with several health benefits.
Simply cut straight into thin slices and spread on English muffins or warm bread for a healthier breakfast. Or eat a thin slice straight to enjoy its natural goodness.
But, as it is naturally high in sugars, eating too much is not recommended. Enjoy!
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