![]() When the nectar is first stored it contains up to 90 percent water. They also produce compounds which give honey its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. They break down the complex sugars in the nectar into simple sugars-for example, sucrose is broken down into glucose and fructose. The enzymes added by the bees are important in converting the nectar into honey. The nectar may be passed from bee to bee in this way several times before it is finally deposited into a cell on the honeycomb. When the forager bee returns to the hive she (they are all female) regurgitates the nectar and passes it to one of the hive bees who adds more enzymes. ![]() As the bees swallow the nectar they add enzymes from glands opening into the mouth. This nectar does not enter the bee's digestive system. It comes from the hard work of bees, foraging bees suck nectar from flowers, swallow it and store it in a honey crop, a special type of stomach which comes before the actual digestive system stomach. ![]() A variety of honey flavors and container sizes and styles from the 2008 Texas State Fair ![]()
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