Buzz about Boiler Bee Honey

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University campus is buzzing with excitement as the food science and entomology departments have joined forces to create Boiler Bee Honey.

“This was a collaboration between entomology and food science, but it involved many people working in multiple departments to launch the product,” said Brock Harpur, assistant professor of entomology at Purdue.

Harpur said the creation of Boiler Bee Honey was a group effort that involved many people working in multiple departments to help launch the honey, including students, staff and faculty in Purdue’s entomology and food science departments, and people in procurement, business and agriculture communication.

Harpur said Boiler Bee Honey is a direct result from research at Purdue, and all funds go directly back to supporting students.

“Honey has different flavor, based on the location and forage so nearly every beekeeper has unique honey, and we highly recommend tasting honey from your local beekeeper,” Harpur said.

Harpur said that the bees used to make the honey are kept within two miles of Purdue’s campus and forage on many different flowers.

“This is very much a student-driven effort, and this is something we’ve never done before on this scale,” he said. “We hope that the sales continue to help us develop the program, provide instruction and improve the product.”

Boiler Bee Honey can be purchased at the Boilermaker Butcher Block on Purdue’s campus.