How about a little honey trivia today? We won't take a test on it at the end of the day, but it's interesting little bits of "fun facts" for your Wednesday. Enjoy!

1. How many flowers must honey bees tap to make one pound of honey?
    Two million.

2. How far does a hive of bees fly to bring you one pound of honey?
    Over 55,000 miles.

3. How much honey does the average worker honey bee make in her lifetime?
    1/12 teaspoon.

4. How fast does a honey bee fly?
    About 15 miles per hour.

5. How much honey would it take to fuel a bee’s flight around the world?
  About one ounce.

6. What is mead?
  Honey wine.

7. How long have bees been producing honey from flowering plants?
Since God created the bees during the creation of the world.

8. What Scottish liqueur is made with honey?
  Drambuie

9. How many sides does each honeycomb cell have?
  Six

10. What is the U.S. per capita consumption of honey?
  On average, each person consumes about 1.3 pounds per year.

11. What state is known as the beehive state?
  Utah

12. How many wings does a honey bee have?
  Four

13. How many beekeepers are there in the United States?
  USDA has estimated that there are between 139,600 and 212,000 beekeepers in the United States.  Most are hobbyists with less than 25 hives.

14. How many honey-producing colonies of bees are there in the United States?
  The USDA estimates that there are approximately 2.68 million honey producing colonies.  This estimate is based on beekeepers who managed five or more colonies in 2010.

15. How many flowers does a honey bee visit during one collection trip?
  50-100.

16. How do honey bees communicate with one another?
  “Dancing.”  Honey bees do a dance which alerts other bees where nectar and pollen was located.  The dance explains direction and distance.  Bees also communicate with pheromones.

17. What does “super” mean to a beekeeper?
  The super is the hive box in which honey is stored. 

Makes 20 servings

6 cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
1 cup cashews, peanuts or almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/2 cups golden raisins, banana chips, dates, dried figs, apricots or prunes, chopped

Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and cinnamon in large roasting pan. Mix oil, honey, water, salt and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients. Bake at 350°F 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool and add dried fruits as desired. Store tightly covered. Microwave: Combine ingredients as above. Place in 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Cook on MEDIUM 10 minutes. Stir and cook 5 minutes longer on MEDIUM. Stir. Cook on MEDIUM 5 minutes or until crisp. Cool. Add dried fruits. Makes 10 to 11 cups (20 1/2 cup servings).

Courtesy of National Honey Board

Makes 2 applications

2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter, melted
2 drops bergamot essential oil, optional
1 drop lavender essential oil, or tea tree, optional

Mix all ingredients together and apply to clean, dry face. This all-natural moisturizer can be covered and kept in a cabinet, but it will solidify. For a second application, heat in microwave for 10 seconds, stir and apply to skin same as before.

Courtesy of National Honey Board

Makes 3-4 applications

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup honey
2 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
2 Tablespoons vegetable glycerine
2 cups sugar

Combine lemon juice, honey, sweet almond oil and vegetable glycerine in a large bowl. Slowly add sugar and stir to combine all of the ingredients. If too runny, add more sugar to soak up the excess liquid. Store in container with lid for up to one month. 

To use: Scoop a handful of scrub and massage all over body, paying special attention to dry areas. This scrub is gentle enough to use on your face. Be sure to avoid under eye area and use finger tips to gently massage the face and neck. Rinse off with damp cloth or in the shower.

Courtesy of National Honey Board