Add a humectant to the patty mix

Mix a humectant into your pollen patty recipe to attract and retain moisture, keeping patties soft and palatable for 2-3 times longer than untreated patties.

Why It Works

Humectants are hygroscopic substances that bind water molecules and slow evaporation. Food-grade vegetable glycerin and honey are the two most common options in beekeeping. They prevent the sugar and pollen substitute matrix from hardening even when exposed to warm, dry air inside the hive.

Tips

• Glycerin: Add 1-2 tbsp per pound of dry patty mix; too much makes patties sticky and hard to handle
• Honey: Use honey from your own healthy hives only to avoid introducing disease (American foulbrood spores survive in commercial honey)
• Combine the humectant thoroughly before forming patties to ensure even moisture distribution
• Store unused patties in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers at room temperature