James E. Tew, Beekeeping Consultant for Auburn University, Associate Professor, Entomology, Ohio State University Nectar And Pollen Producing Plants Of Alabama A Guide for Beekeepers Honey bees and plants have a special relationship. Each benefits the other.
Honey bees visit flowers to collect pollen and nectar for food.
Pollen is essential to bees because it is their only natural source of protein. Without it, colonies would be unable to produce new bees and would eventually die. Nectar is the carbohydrate portion of the honey bee's food and is the raw material of honey. Bees convert nectar into honey by adding an enzyme which breaks down the complex sugars into simple sugars. During this time bees reduce the moisture content of nectar to less than 18 percent by fanning air through the hive.