Raw Honey Crystallization. Why???

One of the most common questions and calls that we get from customers is "why did my honey crystallize? is this normal? has my honey gone bad?

The answer is: no, your honey has not gone bad... yes, it is normal for raw honey to crystallize....the reasons why your honey crystallized are the following....

Raw honey has a high concentrated sugar solution. Consisting of more than 70% sugars and less than 20% water. The two major sugars in raw honey are fructose and glucose. The amount of fructose and glucose varies on the different varieties of raw honey. In general, the fructose ranges from 30% to 40% and glucose from 25% to 40%. The ratio between fructose and glucose in a floral nectar source will determine how quickly the honey will crystallize.

Raw honeys with a low fructose to glucose ratio will crystalize in weeks or even days after extraction, some of these varietals include: dandelion, aster, clover, mesquite, alfalfa, desert wildflower to mention a few. Raw honeys with high fructose to glucose ration are: tupelo, acacia, orange blossom, eucalyptus.

During the natural crystallization process glucose sugars will separate from water to form into white crystals; on the other hand, fructose stays in its liquid form. That is why crystalized honey will thicken and become lighter in color compared to its liquid state.

Some honeys will crystalize uniformly while others will start to form crystals at the bottom of the jar and half way up the top the honey will remain liquid. This is no indication that the honey has gone bad, it is just the laws of nature at work in the many raw honey varietals.

To bring your crystallized raw honey back to liquid form, all you have to do is put it in a medium pot with water and set the jar in the center of the hot water bath. Open the lid of the jar, turn the heat to medium on your stove and wait until all of the crystals have dissolved. If you want your honey to remain liquid for a longer period of time, you will have to heat it longer. It is all a matter of personal preference.

When using raw honey for healing purposes: allergy relief, cough, sore throat. We recommend that you do not heat the honey above 110 degrees fahrenheit.

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