Before I became a beekeeper, I thought that crystallized honey was good for the trash! It's true that seeing it harden and change texture gives the impression that its quality is altered.
Fortunately, it's even the opposite!
Why does liquid honey harden over time to become granular? This is a completely normal process called crystallization. Depending on its floral composition and when it was harvested, honey becomes hard more or less quickly. This is the very special way honey naturally preserves itself.
Don't worry, your jar of honey is still good, it's just proof that it's alive and natural. A honey that never crystallizes should worry you ... it may have been pasteurized or it may be a honey that has been diluted with syrup. It will be sweet, yes, but without any benefits.
To liquefy the honey again, place the jar in a double boiler and gently heat the water, below boiling point . After a while, the honey will return to its liquid texture.
Honey is alive, it should not be heated too much, otherwise it will lose all its beautiful properties! The use of the microwave is therefore to be avoided.
While we're at it, let's talk a little about honey conservation. Technically, honey could be kept for years since it is antibacterial and has its own conservation method. In practice, it is recommended to consume it in the year of harvest, in order to benefit from all its virtues.
And there you have it! You are now well informed to use your honey for as long as possible and avoid waste.
For visual people like me ;)
@mieletco Honey that crystallizes is still good, just liquefy it! 🍯 ##crystallizedhoney ##crystallisedhoney ##honey ##miel
♬ Taste It - Ikson
