Get buzzed up for National Honey Bee Day that falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, this year. National Honey Bee Day got its start in 2009 when a small group of beekeepers petitioned for and obtained a formal proclamation of “National Honey Bee Day” from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Celebrated annually, National Honey Bee Day honors the critical role of honey bees in agriculture, recognizes beekeepers’ hard work, and promotes awareness of environmental threats facing pollinators. Honey bees are responsible for pollinating roughly one-third of the food we eat, including a vast array of fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
As we prepare to celebrate National Honey Bee Day, it’s the perfect time to take action in your everyday life to help the humble honey bees in your area.
- Plant bee-friendly flowers and flowering herbs in your garden and yard.
- Reduce or limit the use of chemicals and pesticides to treat your lawn or garden while plants are in bloom.
- Bees are thirsty. Put a shallow basin of fresh water with marbles or rocks in it for the bees to land on outside your home. Note that honey bees are generally docile and will only sting to defend themselves or if their hive is threatened.
Now, a little more about honey! Did you know there are more than 300 unique types of honey available in the United States alone, each originating from a different floral source? As a general rule, the flavor of light-colored honey is milder, and the flavor of darker-colored honey is stronger. Honey made from wildflowers may have a dark amber color whereas orange blossom honey may appear lighter.
Honey stands apart from other sweeteners. While its calories are dominantly provided from sugar, honey also provides a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Honey provides 64 calories a tablespoon. When compared to 49 calories per tablespoon of white sugar, it is important to note that less honey is typically needed to sweeten foods because of its stronger flavor. The bottom line—normal serving sizes of honey may not have the nutritional impact on diet when compared to other sweeteners.
Just like other products, honey labeling is under the guidance of the FDA.
The honey label tells us where the product came from and who manufactured it. Honey is the only ingredient in pure, natural honey. The label may indicate information about the honey’s source, for example, clover honey.
- Raw honey comes directly from the beehive and is not processed, heated, or pasteurized.
- If honey is labeled “pasteurized,” that means the honey was filtered and processed. This process creates a clear-looking product that is easier to package and pour. Pasteurization may eliminate some of the trace minerals associated with honey’s health benefits, but the sugar content remains the same.
Honey should be stored at room temperature in a dark place to help retain its flavor and consistency. Be careful not to contaminate your honey with other foods during food prep. Over time, honey may become darker or the flavors may shift, but this is natural. With proper storage, honey does not generally go bad. Obviously, should you see mold or if it smells off, it is time to toss.
If your honey crystallizes, it is still fine to use. The crystallization is a result of sugar separating from the water in the honey. To fix this issue, simply heat the jar of honey in a water bath over low heat. Do not boil or microwave the honey as high temperatures may impact taste and quality.
Avoid giving any honey to babies under 1 year of age. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition called infant botulism caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Of note, some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen.
Honey, a pantry staple, is a versatile ingredient that spans an entire menu. Honey not only contributes unbeatable flavor, it offers unexpected functional benefits. From balancing flavors to providing moisture to baked goods, honey excels in a slew of tasks—all from one little bottle and only one ingredient.
- This creamy Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing is made with lemon juice, dill, garlic, and honey for a fresh and tangy flavor. It’s easy to make in just 5 minutes and tastes great on salads or as a dip. Keep it in the fridge for a quick, healthy option all week.
- For a flavor-packed saucy appetizer, try these Korean BBQ Cauliflower Bites! This Asian-inspired BBQ recipe features a sweet and savory gochujang-honey sauce.
- These Fresh Figs and Yogurt come to life with just a quick drizzle of honey.
This quick dish offers a healthy breakfast or a tasty dessert to enjoy at the end of the day.
- Serve these Tangy Chicken Kebabs at your next cookout. Marinate the kebabs in the delicious sweet-and-sour marinade the night before so they’ll be ready when you fire up the grill.
- Once you try this delicious Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette, you’ll never want bottled dressing again. This healthy dressing is so flavorful that a little goes a long way.
- Try this delicious Salmon Basted with a Sweet Honey Lemon Glaze. Paired with the mellow flavors of sautéed turnips and onions, this fish recipe is a complete meal loaded with healthy fats.
Honey is sweet in so many ways. Time to pull out the honey pot and celebrate National Honey Bee Day!
