I would not recommend chewing bees this time of year, during the winter they just taste like BEE POOP!
Wait until spring when they have some nectar in their honey stomach, then they are a little sweeter.
On the chewing aspect....
Its not even a question IF, but WHEN and WHY they do.
Chewing skins of fruit is tougher than sipping nectar.
I suppose the bees take the lazy way out.
Lazy? Ok, maybe its the smart way.
I am amazed how littered my yard becomes with rubber bands after a cut out (or several cut-outs side by side by side). But the bands are an obstruction in their house and home. No other choice but to chew away until none remain. I have also seen this often in house cut-outs, bees love to chew and remove the paper off the back of dry-wall. I've been outside homes where it is almost snowing the paper shreds.
Newspaper combines of weaker hives also results in a remarkable showing of the bee's chewing ability.
It also demonstrates their ability to carry.
Chewing fruit on the other hand, well that is a choice over other calorie sources that I don't think bees are willing to make.
Perhaps if you can develop some micro-oranges, apples, or pears, then maybe they'd consider packing a few away in the hive??