How To De-Crystallize Honey

Before we dive into the de-crystallization process, it's essential to understand why honey crystallizes in the first place. Honey is composed primarily of sugars—glucose and fructose—along with water and other components like pollen, enzymes, and minerals.

Store bought honey is often heated to a certain point in order to delay crystallization on the grocery store shelf. However, high-heating the honey also destroys the majority of the natural health benefits that we seek in raw honey. It is worth noting that U.S.D.A. regulations stipulate that only honey that has not been subjected to this heating process can be legally labelled ‘raw honey’.

The crystallization of honey occurs when the glucose molecules separate from the water and form crystals, resulting in a thickened, grainy texture. Various factors contribute to the crystallization process, including the ratio of glucose to fructose, temperature fluctuations, and the presence of pollen and other particles.

Properly stored raw honey has an indefinite shelf life. Crystallization does not affect the taste or nutritional value of honey. Due to its low water content and natural acidity, honey is one of just a few edibles that will never spoil. Keep your honey tightly sealed in a room temperature environment and away from direct sunlight.

Archaeologists have discovered jars of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are still perfectly edible after thousands of years!

Decrystallizing honey is a simple process that requires minimal effort and will not reduce the benefits of raw honey as long as it is done properly. Follow these steps to restore your honey to its liquid form:

Place the crystallized honey jar in a pot or bowl filled with warm water. Ensure that the water is not boiling, as excessive heat can degrade the quality of honey and diminish its flavor and nutritional value. Let the honey sit in the warm water bath for 15-20 minutes, allowing it to gradually liquefy. Never microwave raw honey if you want to preserve the health benefits of local pollen, vitamins and minerals that are found in raw honey.

After the honey has warmed up, remove it from the water bath and give it a gentle stir using a clean spoon or spatula. Stirring helps distribute the heat evenly and breaks up the crystallized particles, aiding in the liquefying process.

Be patient as you allow the honey to return to its liquid state. Depending on the extent of crystallization, it may take some time for the honey to fully liquefy. Avoid the temptation to microwave the honey or use high heat, as this can alter its properties, taste and texture.

Once the honey has liquefied, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Proper storage helps prevent future crystallization and preserves the quality of the honey for an extended period.

If you don’t use raw honey on a daily basis, turning the bottle occasionally to delay crystallization. This movement of the liquid honey will recombine the mixture of sugars, water, pollen and natural goodness.