Inspecting the inside of a hive requires removing each frame one by one while carefully observing and checking various aspects. Each box  contains 10 frames, which are extracted using a tool essential for beekeeping known as a hive tool. During the active season, however, the  frames often become stuck due to the adhesion of propolis wax, making it impossible to remove them without the tool.

When a hive has a significant amount of propolis attached, this sticky substance can greatly reduce the efficiency of a beekeeper’s work. In the  past, before propolis was widely recognized for its health benefits, this troublesome material was often discarded. Nowadays, propolis sells for a premium,
beekeepers take care to store it. Once enough has been accumulated, they either sell it or produce extract solutions for sale.

Propolis raw material can be easily extracted using ethyl alcohol, and the extract is diluted with water for consumption. Depending  on the plant origin, the color, taste, and aroma can vary significantly. That said, propolis collected by European honeybees (the common type of  honeybee) is generally consistent in its characteristics. However, propolis collected by Africanized bees in Brazil is remarkably distinctive. In terms of color, there are seven color variations. In the past, I purchased raw propolis from beekeepers across Brazil and was astonished by how vastly different  it could be depending on the region. I plan to provide a more detailed explanation of these differences in future discussions.