Crystallized honey: What to do when the honey gets hard and granulated
There is no doubt that the honey It is one of the best foods that are known because it offers many properties, both for the skin and for the body in general. Soft in texture, it is usually viscous and liquid, and it is spread on slices and other ingredients.
But, with the passage of time, the honey gets 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. The 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 by its composition, with more than 2/3 of sugars, and less than 20% of water, has a tendency to crystallize, solidify or sweeten. When they are crystallized, they preserve properly the natural aromas and flavors. So it is important to note that, unlike what you think, when honey crystallizes, it does not change flavor or get bad, nor does it lose its beneficial properties.
Why does honey crystallize?
Honey can get hard and crystallize depending on many factors. Being a supersaturated solution, glucose tends to precipitate out of the 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 outside 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 so that the honey returns to be liquid when it gets hard. For example, move it from the plastic bottle to the glass bottle. The plastic containers do not transfer the heat to the food that is inside it and it will not keep the liquid properly, that is, it will crystallize quickly.
Another way to return its smooth texture is to introduce it in the oven so that the bottle gets hot, and in a few minutes it will be again liquid. We can also heat it to the water bath. The process is similar, because we heat the bottle in a paella over a slow and gentle fire.
We can also soften the honey when it is hard thanks to the microwave. It is somewhat easier and we do not need to light a fire. Place the honey in a container suitable for microwave oven, as a thick glass container, then heat at full power and then melt. To keep it in this liquid state is not always easy, but one way is to store it at room temperature.
Preserve honey so it does not get hard
To try to preserve its liquid state, honey should be stored in a suitable container, better glass and keep it in a place always fresh and dry. When temperatures vary within the same space, then honey can lose its flavor and become hard. It is better to be 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 that to keep it in liquid, it is better that it is not exposed to natural light. In no case we will place it on the windowsill. When we want to store honey for the long term, then we can place it in the freezer. It is a clear advantage because honey can last several years if stored in the freezer. It will not be liquid, but we can put it in the oven or in the microwave to stop it from being hard. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist. ThemesSweeteners
