Why does honey crystalize? It's complex – but it has a simple fix.
You may have noticed that honey can sometimes become a little “crunchy.” This can be annoying, especially when it’s early in the morning and you just want to squeeze a dollop into your morning tea – or at night when you want to add to your favorite "girl dinner" or late-night peanut butter sandwich.
But if this occurred fairly quickly after buying it – it may not be a bad sign at all. No need to throw it away! High-quality, raw, honey tends to crystalize faster than other more shelf-stable honey.
Why does it do this? Should you try to prevent it? We answer your questions about this peculiar act of chemistry.
Why does honey crystallize?
Time for a little chemistry lesson: Honey is primarily made up of sugar and water. However, there is generally more sugar than water, and over time, the sugar may “precipitate” out of the honey, meaning it will create crystals that become separate from the smooth, uniform, mixture that comes to mind when you think of what honey should be.
How do you prevent honey from crystalizing?
There is no need to be alarmed if your honey starts to crystalize! There is nothing harmful about the crystals, and it is not an indication that it has “gone bad.” In fact, it may mean that you are enjoying raw honey, which may contain pollen and beeswax that processed honey may have filtered out. Raw honey can provide some additional health benefits. Kelly Morrow, MS, RDN, FAND, a registered dietitian and clinical affiliate of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Washington, explains that if the honey is local (containing local allergens) it may help reduce allergies. “Honey contains pollen which if taken over time can help train the immune system to tolerate it,” says Morrow.
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However, some people may not like the texture of crystalized honey – but there is a remedy.
To reverse the precipitation reaction (what created the crystals) you will want to increase the temperature. You can put your jar of honey into some warm water and gently stir until the honey becomes smooth again.
Is honey good or bad when crystallized?
Crystalized honey is just another form of a good thing: honey. Honey is associated with many health benefits. The Mayo Clinic lists some of the potential benefits of honey:
- Antioxidants in honey might be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Evidence suggests honey might help relieve gastrointestinal tract conditions such as diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis. Honey might also be effective as part of oral rehydration therapy, as people with diarrhea could become easily dehydrated.
- It may be good for your brain! Studies suggest that honey may offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. Some studies have even suggested that honey has been shown to help prevent memory problems.
- Topical use of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, particularly in burns.
Sweet!
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