How Do Bees Make Honey – A Complete 7-Step Guide

At Bee Happy® Apiaries, we are commonly asked “How do bees make honey”, and although we wish it was a one sentence answer, it a process that has many steps. Our bees don’t just make honey—they help pollinate some of the most unique and beautiful flora across Western Australia. From the Julimar Forest to Lancelin’s coastal blooms, Nambung’s desert flowers, and the rich forests of Toodyay and Jarrahdale, each jar of honey tells a story of our bees’ incredible journey. So, how exactly do they turn nectar into the sweet honey you love?

Here’s a step-by-step Guide for How Do Bees Make Honey 

1. Gathering Nectar: Exploring WA’s Native Blooms 

Foraging worker bees set out from the hive, buzzing across the stunning landscapes of Western Australia. They seek out nectar-rich flowers, like the marri and jarrah trees that thrive in places like Jarrahdale, and the wildflowers that blanket Toodyay in spring. Using their long proboscis, they extract nectar and store it in a special “honey stomach,” designed solely for carrying this liquid treasure. One bee can visit up to 100 flowers per trip, contributing to the biodiversity and health of our local ecosystems. 

2. The Flight Home:  

Once the bee’s honey stomach is full, it makes the flight back to the hive. As they return from the wildflower plains of Nambung or the vibrant Julimar Forest, something magical happens—enzymes in their stomachs begin to break down the sugars in the nectar, starting the transformation from nectar to honey. 

3. Passing the Nectar:  

Back at the hive, our foraging bees pass the nectar to younger “house bees.” These bees take on the important job of chewing the nectar for about 30 minutes. Each time it’s passed between bees, more enzymes are added, breaking down the nectar into simpler sugars and preparing it for storage. 

4. Dehydrating the Nectar: 

After being processed, the nectar is carefully placed into honeycomb cells. Here’s where the true craftsmanship begins: our bees fan their wings to create airflow, evaporating the water content of the nectar. In Western Australia’s drier months, the conditions are perfect for this process, reducing the water content from 70-80% down to about 17-20%, making the nectar thicker and sweeter. 

5. Ripening the Honey:  

The bees continue to fan and monitor the nectar, allowing it to ripen into honey. This phase can take days and is entirely dependent on the hive’s internal temperature and humidity. Our bees, regardless of location, like Lancelin’s coastal landscape or Jarrahdale’s forests, know when the honey is ready. 

6. Sealing the Honeycomb:  

Once the honey reaches the perfect consistency, the bees seal each honeycomb cell with beeswax. This airtight seal keeps the honey protected from air and moisture, preserving it for months to come. The honey created by bees from West Australian flora has a unique flavour profile that reflects the landscape it comes from. 

7. Storing the Honey:  

The honey is now ready to nourish the hive, especially during the cooler months when nectar is scarce. It’s a beautiful cycle of nature, where bees collect, process, and store a sweet gift that we can enjoy in its purest form. 

A Taste of Western Australia in Every Jar 

The next time you taste our honey, think of the journey that each bee took to bring you that spoonful of sweetness. Every jar of Bee Happy® honey is more than just a treat; it’s a reflection of Western Australia’s vibrant flora and our bees’ incredible work in each golden drop! 

If you have any further questions about how do bees make honey, or about our honey in general be sure to contact us here!