How to decrystallize honey
Anyone that buys and uses honey on a regular basis will almost certainly have encountered honey crystallisation before. But why does honey crystallize? Has your honey had gone bad or spoiled? How do I decrystallize honey? In this blog, we investigate!
Most raw honey will naturally crystallize if it sits in your cupboard for any length of time. Sometimes you might just notice that your clear honey has become more opaque, if it's further along in the process it could turn grainy or gritty and if left long enough it may seem almost completely solid when you put your spoon in it (or try to!)
Thankfully this process is totally natural and actually the way that honey looks after and preserves itself! Crystallised honey is just as good as runny liquid honey and some recipes will even call for the use of crystallised honey. The crystals tend to multiply quickly once the honey has started the crystallisation process, but no, your honey is perfectly fine to use and eat in crystallised form and most definitely not ruined!
Why does honey crystallize?
Without getting too stuck in the science, it's actually fairly simple chemistry. In simple terms, we could say the crystals are the natural sugars becoming 'undissolved' in the honey. Honey is what scientists call a supersaturated solution; it's essentially sugars and water and there's simply not enough water in honey to keep all of its sugars dissolved permanently.
Honey contains two main types of natural sugars, fructose and glucose. While fructose tends to remain dissolved, glucose has a much lower solubility and so can crystalize much more easily.
Tiny crystals form in the honey when the glucose separates from the water. The crystallization will even be different in different kinds of honey depending on the nectar it was made from. Some form tiny, very fine crystals evenly dispersed through the honey. Others have larger gritty crystals. It totally depends on the water content of the honey compared the glucose, the more glucose, the quicker it will crystallise.
Why is raw honey more likely to crystalise than factory produced honey?
Raw honey also contains small particles of pollen, beeswax, bee glue and other nutrients. That's not a bad thing and they are largely responsible for raw honey's extra health benefits. But those tiny bits and pieces are perfect for the glucose to crystallise on as it becomes undissolved in the honey solution. Those little particles are the reason that raw honey is more likely encourage the formation of crystals over a pasteurised and fully processed product.
How to stop honey from crystallising
Where you store honey can make a big difference in how quickly it will crystallise. Low temperatures will encourage quicker crystallisation, so don't put our honey it in the fridge! There's really no need to keep honey refrigerated, stored properly in a sealed container honey has a shelf life that is well beyond anything else in your cupboard. Hot temperatures can cause honey to degrade though, so warmer is definitely not better. For these reasons, to slow down or avoid crystallisation it's always best to store honey at room temperature in a cupboard away from direct sunlight. Not only is it best for the honey but it's also the best way to keep it in its smooth liquid state.
If you want to avoid crystallisation completely, the best thing to do is to just eat your honey before it crystallises! On average honey will usually stay crystallisation free for at least a few weeks and possibly months after you buy it.
How to melt crystallised honey
As we've already said, there's nothing wrong with crystallized honey. You can sprinkle it on top of your porridge, or blend it with runny honey to create something known as 'creamed honey' which is excellent for spreading on toast. In fact, honey retains all of its flavour and quality in its crystallised form, so in most cases for cooking you can just continue to use it as you normally would.
However we also understand the desire to have it returned back to that lovely smooth golden honey that you had when you first bought it.
The method we recommend for Just Bee Raw Vitamin Honey is the warm bath method. We've read suggestions before that involved microwaves, boiling water and even putting the jar in a dishwasher! However all of these methods can expose the raw honey to extreme temperatures and we don't want to risk exposing our honey to those risk! Not only can it destroy the unique enzymes and natural nutrients in raw honey, it can also hurt the overall flavour.
How to decrystallize honey
To de-crystalise your honey, all you need is the warm water from your kitchen tap and a small bowl:
- Let the water run so it gets nice and warm,
- place your jar of honey in the bowl and add water until it's about three-quarters up the side of the jar.
- Using a teaspoon stir the honey gently and continuously, making sure not to splash water into your jar.
You will soon see the crystallising process start to reverse.
If you need a break from stirring it's fine to let it sit for a while in the warm water while your wrist recovers too! You may need to replace the water in the bath if it cools down too much but eventually your honey will return to its clear runny state. Depending on how far the crystallisation process has gone, it could take up to 30 minutes to completely dissolve all the crystals.
It may not be the fastest way to return your honey to its original and beautiful liquid consistency but it's the safest, both for all vitamins and nutrients in the honey and yourself. Providing your tap water isn't too hot, it's even something you can get the kids involved in!
49 comments
Is it only raw honey which crystallises.
Valerie
To the person asking about using a metal spoon. NO a stainless steel spoon will NOT “spike” or spoil honey for short term, everyday usage in honey.
While a wooden honey dipper is traditionally used to scoop honey, stainless steel, is highly resistant to corrosion & is not reactive with honey in short-term use.
The idea of a metal spoon harming honey comes from the potential for chemical reactions with “reactive” metals if a spoon is left submerged in honey for extended periods, i.e. months or years.
But there is no evidence of reactivity or corrosion between honey & stainless steel.
Hope this helps.
R. Williams
To the person who asked about adding water to the honey (bizarrely suggesting 5-10% water)…. GOOD GAWD, NO!! Adding ANY water to the honey jar will reduce it’s shelf life & lead to spoilage, as adding water will: compromise the natural antimicrobial & enzymatic properties of honey, it will create the conditions for yeast to ferment in the honey’s natural sugars, & encourage bacteria & mould to grow (& can even cause jars to burst from the gases created)!
The article CLEARLY SAYS TO AVOID SPLASHING WATER INTO YOUR HONEY, so WHY would you think adding water to the honey would be appropriate? I suggest you re-read the “WHY DOES HONEY CRYSTALLIZE?” section which very clearly explains the nature of honey.
(Surely the author would suggest adding water IF it were appropriate!)
Anyhow, hope this clears things up for you, & anyone considering adding water to their honey jar, the answer is NO!!
R. Williams
Just a question, I always believed that Honey was the only thing that never went bad so lasted for years. At least that is what my mother told us. Is this true please ?
Alice Hill
I would love to see more bees in my garden , what is a good way to attract them , a lot of our grandchildren visit our garden every day , could we make it safe for them , not to get stung , could you suggest some good ideas to make them happy and safe , and get to know our bees are very important to plants and people, thank you . John and Linda .
John stevens
I’ve notice your using a metal spoon which I believed spiked the honey. Shouldn’t you use a plastic or wooden spoon? Jo Rose
Josnne
We have bees to 6 yrs now an I just bottled 6 gals of honey it was a blast to do an yes the last container on the bottom was crystallized but I used a lattel to get it out its supper sweet an if u make home remedies to me over the years that’s the best way use the crystallized honey an I refuse to heat it up because ur killing the amenities that’s naturally in honey but also my opinion
Foxybabies
Thank you so much for your informative, clear & simple instructions of how to de crystallise my honey & best of all I am delighted that I do not need to threw it away …I hate waste !!!
Thanks again for your excellent advise🐝
Julie Bradburn
Thank you very informative, clear simple instructions & best of all delighted that I have no need whatsoever to throw my crystallised honey away !!! Brilliant I hate waste…Thanks again 🐝
Julie
Concise, informative and easy to understand
Barbara
Beautifully explained, thank you.
Manuela Whipp
How bad would it be to add a bit of water, say 5-10% by volume, before redissolving the crystals, so that glucose won’t be right at the edge of re-precipitating as it cools again?
Russ Baldocchi
Thank you so all the information now I know why my honey crystallizes!!
Sheryl
Great article, perfectly explained, interesting and informative, thank you.
Christopher
Love the way all is clearly explained, use to follow and understand and practical points highlighted with some useful tips..good stuff.cheers
Jan
An easy to read article that gets straight to the point and explains in detail how and why Honey crystalises. Well worth reading. Thank you.
Peter S. Robertson
Thank you for this information. Will try again to de crystallise it.
Denise Cocquerel
Thanks for the solution to the decrystalization of honey. It has really helped out and has added to my knowledge as a beekeeper. With this, l can do a better explanation to my customers.
Emmanuel Okpan
Thanks so much for this. My customers started to complain and accuse my company of mixing sugar into the honey. This has really helped my research for solution and response to my customers.
Thanks a bunch
Victor
I recently harvested some honey and it was fully capped but the honey in the comb seemed to have crystalised. I’ve never seen this. Can you explain it please.
Patty
Recieved mine today😀. Can’t wait to try.
Janet Murray
I have purchased this honey for a year now, my favourite is lemon and ginger. I love it as a drink on a daily basis it tastes Fabulous.
Debbie
Just a Suggestion as you’ve probably been asked before …but have you thought of customers sending back the pots what the honey comes in , I ordered six pots of the honey and i feel it’s such a waste to throw these containers away , I will keep a few but if I am going to keep my orders going I will end up with hundreds rather than throwing them away ..🤔
I look forward to you telling me your thoughts on this .
Have a fab Bee happy day !🐝
Angie Bonning
Angela
This honey is the best my grandson has it everytime on his porridge when he’s stay over,I have it with a slice of lemon as drink will be ordering my next jars
KAREN
I brought 2 jars of honey 1 with lemon and ginger and it is the best honey I’ve ever tasted the shop ones are to sweet ..but " just honey 🍯 is beautiful i have it as a drink ,on porridge and just as a teaspoon every morning to boost my immune system and its wonderful will be ordering some more very soon 🙂 🐝🍯
Debbie Vincent
I was thinking of buying the 3 jars of Honey, but i need it up to £20 . How much are the seeds ? I am 80 and ive had Honey since I was a baby, & so have my 4 children, yours looks Delicious
Ms Pauline Savage
Just received my honey.
So so delicious, am sharing my three tubs with family so will be back for more !!
Thank you so much for the Bee seeds, so thoughtful, and all the information.
Jenny Bale
I have just received my first ever honey I had a big spoonful the result Delicious
Mavis RockeI
Now on my third lot of honey with ginger – absolutely gorgeous. My only wish is that the tubs were bigger. Thank you xxx
Julia Atkinson
Love it crystelised very yummy. Thank you for a superb honey Just bees honey first class. Thank the bees for me please lol
John Gardiner
Thank you for my first lot of honey, had a refreshing drink instead of tea going to give my daughter a jar.
Yvonne Hiseman
I can understand if the honey was weeks in the cupboard but not after just two weeks. I now have 3 jars of crystallised honey. Thank you for your advice though
Lynda biggs
Hi. This is the first time I have bought Raw Honey. It is amazing. I have fresh fruit for breakfast, but now with the honey drizzled over. I have the lemon and ginger. It makes a lovely warm drink, plus the vitamins . I will certainly be buying more and some for presents too.
Wendy Davy
I love the honey with ginger and lemon! I dink a cup of hot water morning and afternoon as it makes a refreshing change from tea.
Lindsey Paterson
This is my first time with Raw Honey, I’ve always purchased from the supermarket and made do. However I tried the Lemon and Ginger honey in my morning porridge and I was blown away by the great taste so so different from the supermarket one, so now I’m hooked it’s raw honey for me all the way
Dale Burrage
I have been so impressed with your efficient service. I have been ordering for some months now and will continue to do so. You can really taste the difference and I have encouraged friends and family to do the same. I love the fact that it is do natural. Thank you to all at Just Bee.
You have a very special business and a very special product.
Amanda Dissington
Your honey is awesome, I received the lemon and ginger and my hubby and I are enjoying it in a cup of hot water. We find it very soothing and uplifting. I will be ordering it again and also the natural honey. I have tried jars of honey with lemon which have been horrible but your lemon and ginger are totally delicious and I would say even better than putting fresh lemon in my honey drinks which we now don’t do since we purchased yours.
Rhona Laing
Love this honey! Wish it would stay runny!
Megan Griffiths
Just ordered some of your raw bee honey. I’m hoping it will stop a chronic persistant cough I’ve had for way too long.
I like what you guys are doing to save the bees which is mostly my reason for ordering from you.
Good luck and Happy New year 2021 .
Donna Mullan
Ordered both the raw vitamin honey and the lemon and ginger version. Super fast delivery and oh my word …. a spoonful of the lemon and ginger in my camomile tea this evening was just wonderful. I’ve already told my parents who I’m sure will also be buying !
Martine Hamilton
I have just ordered my second pot of Original Just Bee Raw Honey, I am so impressed with my first jar, I put it in my porridge it’s so smooth and just a wonderful taste, I really look forward to my breakfast each day. Thank You at Just Bee for this lovely product.
Janice Webb
Just ordered my honey can’t wait to try it out will let you know how I get on.
Michelle
Amazing,,,,, I have pondered over this product for a while,I finally took the plunge,and most definitely not disappointed,,its absolutely amazing ,so refreshing as a drink. Highly recommend, by far the best flavour I have tasted.
Kim
What temperature is the warm water?
Ralph
Just ordered a jar of honey ginger and lemon
Can’t wait to try it always got a bad throat.
Will let you know how I get on.
Linda jones
Have nearly used my three pots of honey use it every day I bought it because I had a really bad throats for 6 weeks even went to the hospital they said it was acid off the stomach since then been using the honey my throats is a lot better Thank you guys love bees 🐝
Pauline McGuinness
I received my honey and very impressed with quick delivery and would order again it was so delicious best yet..try it guys you will love it..xxx
Primrose Simmonds
Great about the honey going to sugar.
Margaret Harris
That about the honey cryataling is such a big help as mine does .
Margaret Harris
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