Bees are small, but they make a mighty impact. From their intricate dance-like moves as they fly to their incredible ability to produce luxurious honey, these industrious insects do far more than most of us give them credit for. The “Bees Knees” is a celebration of the sweetness bees bring to us, from their hard work and buzzing buzz to the delicate fragrance of their honey. Learn more about this delectable treat and the many benefits it has to offer in this article.
1. The Alluring Aroma of the Bees Knees
There’s nothing quite like the annual blossom of the Bees Knees flower. This little beauty is renowned for its sweet pollinator attraction and mosaic petals of beige and yellow. A competition favourite, it’s no wonder that the Bees Knees is a perennial favourite in both the professional and amateur horticultural world.
Comprised of eight delicate petals and two whorls of stamens, the Bees Knees gives off a ‘sugary’ aroma that lingers in the air long after its flowering season. Aromatherapy aficionados consider its scent to be quite soothing and therapeutic.
Among its many attractive facets, the essence of the Bees Knees inspires people to make beeswax candles, extracts for medicinal purposes and perfume.
The riches of the Bees Knees remain celebrated around the world by both professional and amateur gardeners. Its alluring aroma is just one of the many rewards to be enjoyed when engaging in the calming hobby of gardening. In all its glory, the presence of these blossoms provide a whiff of sweet scented therapy.
- Delicate petals
- Mosaic petals of beige and yellow
- A sugary aroma
- Inspires beeswax candles, extracts and perfumes
2. The Sweet Science Behind Bees Knees’ Flavor
Bees knees – the curious, often misunderstood, flavor of citrus blend honey. But what, exactly, is it?
The answer lies in the science behind the subtle sweetness of honey and its link to citrus. Honey is made up of carbohydrates and water, which come from nectar, a sweet secretion created by flowers. Bees collect nectar and convert it into honey by adding its own enzyme, invertase, to the nectar. This enzyme breaks down the carbohydrates into simple sugars, resulting in a thick, sweet syrup.
To create a “bees knees” flavor, the subtle sweetness of classic honey is paired with a zesty citrus twist. A combination of tart lemons, sweet oranges, and juicy tangerines are used to create a unique and fruity blend. By mixing and matching these three fruits, the bees knees flavor hits its perfect sweet and sour balance. Adding just the right amount of acid from the citrus helps create a tart, but tangy flavor profile.
- Honey: Made up of carbohydrates and water, comes from nectar
- Invertase: Added enzyme to nectar to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
- Citrus: Tart lemons, sweet oranges, and juicy tangerines to create a blend
Though you may not be able to taste the science behind this unique flavor, understanding it can help bring out different notes as you enjoy this delicious combination.
3. What Makes the Bees Knees So Delectable?
The Ingredients
The allure of the darling little Bees Knees lies in the ingredients. Salted honey, cream, and oats are mixed and cooked into golden-brown decadence. The end result is a fusion of complementary flavors sure to please the taste buds of even the most discerning dessert critic.
The oats provide a nutty crunch, the cream a rich sweetness, and the honey a sugary accent. Together they ascend from a simple snack to a culinary marvel. Sprinkled with a pinch of sea salt to add depth, this treat has captivated the bellies of so many.
The Texture
Texture is a vital component of any good Bee Knees. An even balance of chewy and crunchy is the goal here. The chewy ingredients are as follows:
- Oats
- Rice
- Cornstarch
These ingredients are first blended before being cooked. As soon as they hit the heat they transform from crumbly to ooey-gooey goodness. The crunchy component stems from the addition of honey which caramelizes when cooked. Once cooled, it adds an irresistible crunch that is just hard enough to offer contrast to the chew.
As you can see, the delightful Bee Knees has a texture that will tantalize any snack-enthusiast. The combination of chew and crunch is sure to earn a loyal following from those lucky enough to try it.
4. Enjoying Bees Knees in Your Home Kitchen
Creating a restaurant-worthy Bees Knees dish at home doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of prep work, you can create a savory dish that tastes like it came straight from a classy restaurant.
To get started, here is what you will need:
- 1 lb of fresh green beans
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of honey
- Generous dash of salt and pepper
First, get a small saucepan and melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the green beans, lemon juice, honey, and a generous dash of salt and pepper. Stir the ingredients together until blended, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally.
Transfer the green bean mixture to a serving dish, and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty French bread and a glass of your favorite white wine. Or, for the perfect family-friendly meal, serve with roasted potatoes and a side salad. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the flavor of these Bees Knees beans!
5. The Role of Natural Sweeteners in Bees Knee Preparation
Natural sweeteners have a huge role to play in preparing Bees Knees. While many of the other ingredients used, such as lemons or limes, add tartness and bitterness respectively, it’s the natural sweetener that keeps everything in balance and ensures the unique, noteworthy flavor of Bees Knees.
There are a few different natural sweetener options, each of which offer their own unique nuances to the classic drink. Here are a few popular ones and their advantages:
- Honey: Not only does honey add a subtle sweet note, but it carries hints of floral flavors such as lavender, rose, and orange blossom.
- Agave Nectar: Agave nectar is a common sweetener found in margaritas and is mild in flavor and adds a hint of caramel.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds earthy sweetness with notes of roasted nuts and vanilla.
When it comes to Bees Knees, it’s best to utilize a combination of sweeteners. This combination of different flavors lends to its balance, complexity, and overall tastiness. From zesty lemons to tart limes, delicious honey, alluring agave, and nutty maple syrup, the mix must be just right to induce that signature Bees Knees flavor.
Experimentation is key to achieving your desired flavor when making Bees Knees with natural sweeteners. Play around with different ratios and combinations to arrive at a flavor that you like. Just make sure to balance the sweetness in your mix, and you’ll be on your way to an exceptional Bees Knees.
6. Crafting a Signature Bees Knees Cocktail
The Bees Knees cocktail is one of the classic wardrobe staples of a good bartender. But before you impress your friends, take some time to craft the perfect drink. Here’s what you’ll need to make a signature Bees Knees:
- 2 ounces of Gin
- 3/4 ounce of Honey Syrup
- 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. To make your Signature Bees Knees, you can add some garnish to make it truly unique. Some top suggestions for garnish are:
- Orange Peel
- Mint leaves
Adding a garnish will make the drink look and smell delicious, and you can even experiment with flavored syrups and other citrus juices. For a bit of fizz, add some soda or champagne. Feel free to get creative and make the drink your own. Have fun and make that signature Bees Knees!
7. Exploring the Unparalleled Taste of the Bees Knees
If you’re familiar with the term ‘The Bee’s Knees’, you already know it stands for something or someone that is the best of the best. And when it comes to food, you won’t find anything quite like the Preferred Taste of the Bee’s Knees.
It’s full of savory flavor, with the perfect balance of sweet and zesty. The juicy bite of the freshly harvested vegetables, the creaminess of the cream, the sweetness of the honey, and the satisfying crunch of the almonds all come together to form an experience that’s sure to please your taste buds.
- The Crème de la Crème: Here you’ll find luxurious ingredients such as mascarpone cheese, fresh herbs, crushed almonds and white wine.
- The Taste of Italy: This dish brings all the flavors of Italy to your table with delicious combinations of eggplant, zucchini, parmesan, and of course, a classic tomato sauce.
- The Sweet and Spicy: Think honey-glazed bacon, diced hot peppers, and a tangy apricot glaze. This dish packs a punch of flavor that’ll leave your guests begging for more.
Whether you’re looking for something to impress your dinner guests or a quick and easy, yet undeniably delicious dish to whip up in the kitchen, the Bees Knees is sure to be a hit. It’s the perfectly balanced taste that will be the talk of the dinner table.
8. Discovering the Honeyed History of the Bees Knees
The bees knees: what is it? The phrase “bees knees” has been around for hundreds of years, with different meanings attached to it in various times and cultures. In today’s times, it generally means something excellent, extraordinary, or unique.
Origins of the phrase: The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, though it is thought to date back centuries ago. The earliest quoted uses are from the 1800s, from both England and America.
In England, ‘bees knees’ was a commonly used phrase which meant ‘the best’ or ‘the height of excellence and innovation’. It is thought to have derived from an ancient proverb ‘as tidy as a bee’s knee’, which celebrated the tidiness of bees.
In America, the phrase inverts its traditional English meaning, to refer to something or someone of little value or importance – as if they were not even worth a bee’s knee!
From phrase to cocktail:
The phrase ‘bees knees’ caught on and was used by many, leading to a few creative incarnations. One of these is in the form of a popular prohibition-era cocktail, known as the Bee’s Knees. The drink was created as a way to mask the offensive taste of prohibition-era bootleg gin.
The ‘bee’s knees cocktail’ contains gin, honey and lemon, creating a sweet and tangy drink. The combination of ingredients is said to have been chosen to represent the phrase itself, with brightness from the lemon, sweetness of the honey and strength of the gin symbolizing the ‘best’.
Nowadays:
Today, the phrase is still used to describe something special, and the Bee’s Knees cocktail is a bar favorite. From phrase to cocktail, the bees knees has truly stood the test of time and proved its versatility.
Whether you’re referring to something as being the bee’s knees, having a bee’s knees cocktail or reciting an obscure English proverb, this phrase has certainly caught the attention of many, and will likely stay buzzing in the language for many more years to come.
This delightfully sweet and saucy beverage is an absolute must-try. With a unique flavor to tantalize your taste buds, you’ll be buzzing with joy after experiencing the delicious combination of honey and citrus! Whether you drink it alone, share it with friends, or whip up a creative cocktail, the sweetness of the Bees Knees will truly make a lasting impression. Cheers!