Israeli Scientists Create Honey Without Bees For The First Time

by Contributing Author

The production and selling of honey has long been an ethical talking point, especially amongst vegans and vegetarians. Though many will claim that harnessing honey is weakening select bee types (out of 70 different types of bees, only 7 actually create honey), others say that bees produce more honey than they actively need to use, meaning the sourcing of this honey is totally valid.

The truth is, while it is one of the few production lines that doesn’t actively kill the animal it is sources from, the production of honey certainly has the potential to interfere negatively with bees. This is something we should all be concerned about. Without bees, the human race will not survive. They are one of the most important animals to contribute to our survival, and therefore anything that can be done to protect them should be embraced with open arms.

So What Is Being Done To Protect Them?

Based in Israel, a group of scientists have been trialing a new method of honey production which will be a game-changer in the industry. They are called BEE.IO, and their innovative bio-process has ensured that bees can go back to their traditional role of pollinating without the interference of humans.

Created through simulating a bees stomach, these scientists have been able to mix pollen from plants with protein from the stomach, producing an almost identical twin to naturally made honey. Identical texture, identical smell, identical taste. What’s more, because it is produced entirely in a lab, scientists have also been able to use plants that have not been used before, meaning they can make honey from flowers like the coffee plant which will integrate caffeine naturally into the honey itself.

What Does This Mean For The Future Of Bees?

This is an important step for all of us, as it gives an entirely ethical solution to a problem which was only going to escalate. Everyone will still be able to enjoy honey in all the ways they did before. The honey made from these scientists will still be reasonably priced and available for anyone’s wants and needs. Whether it be an ingredient in a Hanukkah honey cake or given the starring role in a Rosh Hashana honey dish, we now have a source of food which is entirely ethical and supportive to these exploited species of bee. It also tastes just as good, so that’s a plus.

Responsible for biodiversity, sustainable farming, and preservation of the food we consume; bees are an essential cog in the makeup of our planet. As Albert Einstein reportedly said, without them, we would only be able to survive four years. This is why it is so essential that companies like BEE.IO exist to protect and preserve them, whilst also being able to maintain the production of the honey which (until now) they create. With the help of this scientific breakthrough, the once affected seven species of bee will hopefully now be able to flourish and prosper in a world that does not interfere with its ability to develop.