For honey to crystallize is absolutely normal, and it does not mean that it has gone bad. But, how to return it to its liquid state to be able to consume it? We discover it for you.
There is no doubt that honey is one of the best foods known because it offers many properties, both for the skin and for the body in general. Smooth in texture, it is usually slimy and runny, and is spread in slices and other ingredients.
But over time, the honey becomes hard and forms crystals. It is a natural process, although, unlike other products such as wine, freshness is a fundamental quality in the quality of honey. Maturity, the absence of physical impurities and residues, as well as its texture are taken into account when it comes to talking about its optimal characteristics.
Honey, due to its composition, with more than 2/3 sugars, and less than 20% water, has a tendency to crystallize, solidify or sugar. When crystallized, they adequately preserve their natural aromas and flavors. So it is important to note that, unlike what is thought, when honey crystallizes it does not change its flavor or get bad, nor does it lose its beneficial properties.
Why does honey crystallize?
Honey can become hard and crystallize depending on many factors. Being a supersaturated solution, glucose tends to precipitate out of solution, and the solution changes to a more stable supersaturated state. That is, it depends on the glucose and the humidity level of the honey and the exterior or the place where it is stored.
There are other conditions, such as storage, temperature, humidity, and the shape, material and type of container that explain the crystallization of honey.
How to return honey to its liquid state:
We can do many things to make honey runny again when it gets hard. For example, transfer it from the plastic bottle to the glass one. Plastic containers do not transfer heat to the food inside and will not retain the liquid properly, that is, it will crystallize quickly.
Another way to restore its smooth texture is to put it in the oven so that the jar heats up, and in a few minutes it will be liquid again. We can also heat it in a bain-marie. The process is similar, as we heat the jar in a paella over a soft and low heat.
We can also soften honey when it is hard thanks to the microwave. It is somewhat easier and we do not need to light a fire. We will place the honey in a container suitable for microwave oven, such as a thick glass container, then we will heat to maximum power and it will melt immediately. Keeping it in this liquid state is not always easy, but one way is to store it at room temperature.
Preserve honey so it doesn’t get hard
To try to preserve its liquid state, honey should be stored in a suitable container, better glass, and always kept in a cool and dry place. When the temperatures vary within the same space, then the honey can lose its flavor and become hard. It is better that it is away from the refrigerator and the oven.
We must make sure not to leave the jar open where we keep the honey. It must be well covered.
In the same way as to preserve it in liquid, it is better that it is not exposed to natural light. In no case will we place it on the windowsill. When we want to store honey for the long term, then we can place it in the freezer. This is a clear advantage because honey can last for several years if stored in the freezer. It will not be liquid, but we can put it later in the oven or in the microwave so that it is no longer hard.
