My Runny Honey Has Set! Causes and Solutions
If you've ever reached for a jar of your favourite runny wildflower honey, only to find it's gone from runny to rock solid, you might be wondering what's gone wrong? The good news is that your honey hasn't gone bad, in fact, it's a sign of good quality honey! In this short article, we'll explore the causes of honey crystallisation, how to prevent it from happening, and how to fix it if it has already occurred.
What Causes Honey to Set?
The main reason that honey sets is due to the natural process called "crystallisation". Honey is a super-saturated solution, containing more sugar than would normally dissolve in the same amount of water. When the temperature of honey drops below a certain level, typically between 10-15°C (50-59°F), the glucose molecules in the honey begin to form crystals. These crystals then spread throughout the honey, causing it to become thick and solid.
Another factor that can cause honey to set is the type of flowers the bees have collected nectar from. Some types of honey, such as Heather Honey, bramble and clover honey are more likely to crystallise readily than other nectars.
How to Prevent Runny Honey from Setting
Preventing runny honey from setting in the first place is always the best course of action. So here are a few tips to help keep your Welsh Wildflower honey runny:-
-
Store honey at room temperature - Honey should be stored at room temperature, around 68-77°F (20-25°C), to prevent crystallisation. Avoid storing honey in the fridge, as this will accelerate the process.
-
Keep honey in an airtight container - Air exposure can cause honey to crystallise more quickly, so make sure to keep your honey in an airtight container.
How to Fix Runny Honey That Has Set
If your honey has already set, don't worry! It's still perfectly safe to eat and can easily be brought back to it runny state:-
-
Gently warm it up - Place the jar with the lid removed in a bowl of warm water and stir often until the crystals have fully dissolved. Be careful not to overheat the honey as this will damage its nutritional properties.
-
Use a hot water bath or "bain marie" - Place the un-lidded jar of honey in a pot of hot water (not boiling) and stir until all the crystals have dissolved. This method may take longer than the others but it's the gentlest way to warm up the honey and certainly the safest for keeping its nutritional properties intact.
Incorporating Runny Honey into Your Recipes
Now that you know how to prevent your wildflower honey from setting in the first place and or how to fix it if it does, you can confidently incorporate runny honey into your own recipes. Runny honey is a great addition to teas, smoothies, and dressings. It can also be used as a natural alternative sweetener in many kinds of baking.
