The Regal Flavor: What Does Royal Jelly Taste Like?

Bees produce a variety of natural substances and humans have been harvesting honey for thousands of years. But another popular bee product is royal jelly and this has many health benefits. Of course, before you chow down you’ll probably be asking yourself what does royal jelly taste like?

Royal jelly has a slightly sweet yet tart flavor which many people compare to Greek yogurt. While this is quite an acidic product, it does have a beautiful aroma.

If you’ve been thinking about including royal jelly in your diet then you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not only easy to get your hands on but also has a wide range of health benefits.

What Is Royal Jelly?

Royal jelly is a naturally occurring substance made by honey bees. The royal jelly is secreted from the glands of worker honey bees and is actually intended to feed the young in the same way that mammals produce milk for their offspring. Although, keep in mind that royal jelly is not a type of milk.

Within the first few days of life, all larvae in the hive are fed exclusively on a diet of royal jelly. But from there, only a few select females continue to eat this substance and they’re the ones that have the potential to become the new queen.

In terms of composition, this viscous substance is made up of around 70% water and is also bursting with proteins. Royal jelly also contains naturally occurring sugars, vitamins, salt, and fats.

What Does Royal Jelly Look Like?

Royal jelly has a white to yellow color and is a viscous liquid substance. Many people compare the consistency of royal jelly to that of condensed milk and I’ve even heard some people describe it as white snot!

But don’t let that put you off because royal jelly has a very unique taste and is bursting with goodness.

What Does Royal Jelly Taste Like?

When you think about bee products, you’ll likely think of the sweet taste of honey. However, when you try royal jelly for the first time, I’d advise you not to expect anything that’s anywhere near similar to honey.

While royal jelly does have a certain sweetness to it, it’s also highly acidic so it’s got quite a tangy taste. Some people compare it to sour cream while others say it’s similar in flavor to Greek yogurt.

According to those who have tried it, royal jelly has something of a strange taste so you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re a little taken aback when you first try it.

Is Royal Jelly Good For You?

One of the most wonderful things about royal jelly is that it’s bursting with proteins, nutrients, and vitamins that are really good for you.

As well as containing nutrients like folic acid, thiamine, and niacin, royal jelly is also known to have an antioxidant effect. This is because of the large amounts of amino acids found within the product.

Royal jelly has also been used as a skincare product and you can take it orally or buy royal jelly topical creams which are known to soothe and promote healing.

It has also been suggested that royal jelly may be beneficial in keeping your blood pressure in check. While there haven’t been many studies on this, the initial results do show some promise. In Japan, researchers found that blood pressure was lowered for up to eight hours after a single dose of royal jelly.

This natural product is also said to be wonderful for women who suffer from premenstrual symptoms. After two months of taking royal jelly, women reported a reduction in the number of unpleasant symptoms associated with pre-menstruation. Again, there needs to be a lot more research into this but so far, it looks hopeful.

How Do You Eat Royal Jelly?

Most people would agree that royal jelly should be consumed in small doses. The rule ‘less is more’ definitely applies here.

It’s important to keep in mind that royal jelly should always be served raw because cooking it can affect its nutrient composition and may take away some of the goodness.

How you take your royal jelly is entirely down to you. Some people like to start by having a ¼ teaspoon or pure royal jelly and gradually increase this to ½ teaspoon as they get used to the taste.

But if you find you can palate royal jelly on its own then it’s perfectly acceptable to mix it into your cereals, with honey, or any other food that takes your fancy. There’s no hard and fast rule.

Of course, there are people that simply won’t want to eat royal jelly but that doesn’t mean you still can’t take advantage of the health benefits. For example, there are royal jelly capsules, lozenges, powders, and many other products that are available in health food stores.

Is Royal Jelly Safe To Consume?

Before taking any new product, it is always advisable to speak to your doctor. It’s also worth keeping in mind that, while most people are able to take around 1000mg of royal jelly every day without any problems, there are some individuals who may have an allergic reaction.

If you are going to start taking royal jelly alongside other medications then it is again imperative that you consult your doctor. There have been reports that this product could slow the blood’s ability to clot which may have a negative effect on people who take blood thinners.

Honey Doesn’t Go Bad: Is This The Same With Royal Jelly?

If there’s one thing that honey is famous for it’s the fact that this superfood never goes bad. There have been reports of pots of honey discovered in ancient tombs that are still perfectly preserved and safe to eat.

You might assume that also being a bee product, royal jelly would have the same long-lasting properties but this isn’t the case.

Some of the fresh royal jelly products you can buy may only last a few weeks but in most cases, they can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as six weeks without going bad. What’s more, royal jelly can be frozen and may be kept in the freezer, under the right conditions for up to two years.

Knowing when royal jelly has gone bad can be difficult as the taste is already quite sour and bitter. However, when royal jelly is truly expired, it will take on a very unpleasant aroma and the taste won’t just be unusual, it’ll be downright disgusting. It’s time to throw it out and get a fresh batch.

Final Thoughts

Have you ever stood in the bee product section of a health store and wondered what royal jelly tastes like? If you have, you may be surprised to learn that, unlike honey, royal jelly has a much more sour and tangy flavor.

While it may taste a little strange at first, it’s full of goodness and has a wide range of health benefits. So, if you are able to include it in your diet then it’ll be nothing but an advantage.