Nature's Spreadable Gold
"Nature is ingenious; she creates a substance so pure and perfect that man can only imitate it." - Maurice Maeterlinck, Nobel Prize-winning author of "The Life of the Bee"
Our Welsh Soft Set Honey has a creamy texture that is perfect for spreading on warm toast or crumpets. Unlike our Welsh Wildflower Honey, it's granulation process is controlled, avoiding the spoon-bending gymnastics that often come from trying to liberate a naturally-granulated honey from the jar!
British beekeepers are experts at making this honey. They control how it crystallises, keeping its natural sweetness and floral flavours. This makes it spreadable and delicious2.
Soft set honey, or creamed honey, comes from local flowers in Britain. It captures the country's changing seasons. It's great for cooking and everyday use, making meals and snacks better.
Understanding What Is Soft Set Honey
Soft set honey is a special type of honey. It has a mix of liquid and solid states. This is because of a controlled crystallisation process, making it smooth and creamy for spreading.
The Natural Crystallisation Process
Crystallisation happens naturally in honey, based on its glucose and fructose levels. Nectar from rapeseed, rich in glucose, turns hard in two weeks. On the other hand, borage nectar, rich in fructose, rarely turns hard3. This natural process is what makes soft set honey.
Composition of Glucose and Fructose
The mix of glucose and fructose in honey affects its texture. Glucose crystallises, while fructose stays liquid. This mix is important for soft set honey's smooth texture. The making process ensures fine crystals, giving it a creamy feel4.
Difference Between Soft Set and Regular Honey
Soft set honey is different from regular honey in texture. Regular honey can crystallise unevenly, making it grainy. But soft set honey stays smooth, making it great for spreading on toast or in yoghurt4. Even though it crystallises, it doesn't change the honey's taste3.
| Characteristic | Soft Set Honey | Regular Honey |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, creamy | Varies (liquid to crystallised) |
| Crystallisation | Controlled, fine crystals | Natural, variable crystal size |
| Spreadability | Easily spreadable | Depends on crystallisation state |
Knowing about soft set honey helps us see its special qualities. It lets us pick the right honey for our taste and cooking needs.
The Art of Making Soft Set Honey
Making soft set honey is a precise art. It needs skill and care. This honey is spreadable, like butter, and loved by many5.
Controlled Crystallisation Technique
The secret to soft set honey is in controlling how it crystallises. Beekeepers use special methods to get the right texture. They heat the honey to melt crystals, then cool it slowly for fine crystals to form5.
The Role of Seed Honey
Seed honey is key in making soft set honey. Beekeepers mix in a bit of crystallised honey, about 10%. This seed honey helps crystals grow evenly5.
Temperature Control and Processing
Keeping the temperature right is essential. The honey is cooled slowly for controlled crystallisation. This makes the honey smooth and creamy, just like soft set honey5.
| Process Step | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Heating | 60°C | 10 hours |
| Seeding | Room temperature | Immediate |
| Resetting | Ambient | 3 weeks |
| Final Warming | 40°C | 8 hours |
The whole process, from start to finish, takes weeks. This patience and focus in beekeeping make the honey smooth and spreadable, like soft margarine5.
Characteristics and Texture of British Soft Set Honey
British soft set honey is known for its unique texture and taste. It has a smooth, creamy feel that stays easy to spread, even when it's cold4.
The way it's made keeps its natural smells and tastes strong. This makes it a sweet and floral delight that spreads like butter4.
The honey's smoothness comes from how it's made. Beekeepers mix in a special crystal structure and cool it slowly. They stir it often as it cools from 12-14°C over days6.
It captures the scents of local flowers, from spring blooms to summer wildflowers. In places like Fife, Scotland, honey is made twice a year. Spring honey comes from oilseed rape, while summer honey is more varied6.
"The creamy texture and rich flavour of British soft set honey make it perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into yogurt, or enjoying straight from the jar."
People love its taste, smell, and how it's made. It's great for many dishes, like cheese pairings and desserts like tiramisu4.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, creamy, spreadable |
| Flavour | Concentrated, intense, preserves natural notes |
| Consistency | Easily manageable, even when chilled |
| Culinary Uses | Spreading, cooking, baking, pairing with cheese |
From Hive to Table: The Journey of Soft Set Honey
The journey of soft set honey from hive to table is detailed and careful. It combines old beekeeping ways with new quality checks. British beekeepers are proud of their work, making sure every jar of honey is top-notch.
Harvesting Methods
Honey harvesting happens in spring and summer, usually in early June and late August. In a bad year, beekeepers might get 150 kg of honey. But a good year can bring over three times that amount7.
Harvesting honey is a skillful task. Beekeepers carefully take frames filled with honey from the hives. It's a job that needs patience and skill.
Extraction Process
After harvesting, the honey extraction starts. Beekeepers take off the beeswax cap and use spinning to get the honey. This keeps the honey's natural taste without adding anything8.
Then, the honey is filtered to get rid of bits. But it keeps the natural pollen grains.
Quality Control and Certification
Quality is key in making honey. Many British honey makers have SALSA certification. This shows they follow strict food safety rules. It means the honey is safe, legal, and of the best quality.
Beekeepers keep honey in big buckets, 11-14 kg each. They use a code to track the honey's origin and quality7. This helps keep the honey's quality high throughout the process.
It's interesting to know that over 90% of honey jars in big UK stores might have cheap fillers like sugar syrups9. So, it's important to buy from trusted, certified places to get real, quality soft set honey.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value
Soft set honey is a natural sweetener full of vitamins and minerals. It offers many health benefits. Its special crystallisation process keeps its nutrients, making it a better choice than refined sugars4.
Soft set honey's nutrition is impressive. It has 327 kcal of energy per 100g. It also has 81.33g of carbs (80.67g sugars), 3.33g of fat, and 0.5g of protein10. This mix of nutrients helps it have many health benefits.
Soft set honey keeps good stuff like pollen, aromatics, and amino acids. These are lost in clear honey because of filtering10. These elements boost its health benefits, such as:
- Supporting throat health
- Aiding blood sugar regulation
- Promoting heart health
- Offering anti-ageing effects
- Assisting in weight management
- Facilitating wound healing
- Benefiting skin and hair care
The natural crystallisation of soft set honey shows it's real and minimally processed10. This keeps its nutrients intact. It's a great pick for those looking for a natural sweetener with extra health perks.
Use soft set honey on toast, in yoghurt, or in recipes. It's a tasty way to add health benefits to your diet4. Its smooth texture makes food better and adds nutrients, making it a key part of a healthy lifestyle.
Culinary Applications and Uses
Soft set honey is easy to spread, making it great for cooking. It works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. This makes it very useful in the kitchen.
Spreading and Cooking
Soft set honey is perfect for spreading on toast or mixing into yoghurt. It's also used in sauces, marinades, and glazes. This adds flavour to many dishes. It's a hit on toast or pancakes, and clear honey is even more versatile in cooking11.
Baking and Recipe Ideas
Soft set honey is great for baking. It adds moisture and flavour to cakes, cookies, and desserts. Try using it instead of sugar for a natural sweetness.
Pairing Suggestions
Soft set honey goes well with many foods. It's perfect with cheeses, like aged cheddar or blue cheese. Drizzle it over cheese for a tasty appetiser. It's also good in teas, smoothies, and cocktails.
| Food | Pairing Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Aged cheddar, blue cheese, brie |
| Fruits | Apples, pears, figs |
| Nuts | Almonds, walnuts, pecans |
| Beverages | Tea, coffee, cocktails |
Honey's setting speed affects its use in cooking. Honey from rapeseed flowers sets fast, making it creamy and spreadable12. This is great for recipes needing a firm texture.
Soft set honey is perfect for making special foods or as a natural sweetener. Its versatility and adaptability make it a hit with food lovers.
Storing and Preserving Soft Set Honey
Keeping soft set honey in good condition is key. It can stay soft and spreadable at room temperature for 2-3 months13. For longer storage, the fridge is best, and the freezer keeps it fresh forever13.
Optimal Storage Conditions
For the best taste, store soft set honey in a cool spot, around 12-15°C. Make sure it's sealed well to stop water getting in6. This is vital as water can cause fermentation13. Also, keep it away from light to keep its texture and taste just right.
Shelf Life and Crystallisation
Raw honey, like soft set, doesn't have an expiration date. Its freshness depends on how you store it13. Soft set honey is already crystallised but might get more crystallised over time. Honey from early spring crystallises fast, while summer honey takes longer6.
Preventing Quality Deterioration
To keep honey quality up, don't heat it too much. Heat over 40°C can damage its health benefits13. Also, avoid melting and crystallising it too many times. This can make it harder and grainier13. By following these tips, you can enjoy your soft set honey for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is soft set honey?
A: Soft set honey is honey that has undergone a natural granulation process, resulting in a spreadable texture. It is often made from high glucose honeys, such as those produced from rapeseed, and is sometimes referred to as creamed honey.
Q: How does beekeeping affect the quality of soft set honey?
A: Beekeeping practices greatly influence the quality of honey. Sustainable beekeeping ensures that bees have access to diverse forage, which can enhance the flavour and health benefits of the honey they produce, including soft set varieties.
Q: Why does honey granulate?
A: Honey granulates due to the natural crystallization of sugars, particularly when it has a high glucose content. Factors such as temperature and the presence of ‘seed’ crystals can influence how quickly honey will granulate.
Q: What can I do if my soft set honey becomes hard set?
A: If your soft set honey becomes hard set, you can gently warm it in a warming cabinet or place it in a bowl of warm water. This process will help to soften the honey without destroying its natural flavours.
Q: How long does it take for honey to granulate?
A: The granulation process can vary, but soft set honey typically takes around 12 hours to start forming granules, depending on factors such as the type of honey and the temperatures it is stored at.
Q: Can I make soft set honey at home?
A: Yes, you can make soft set honey at home using liquid honey. You can control the granulation process by mixing in a small amount of already granulated honey as a ‘seed’ and then stirring thoroughly.
Q: What is the best way to store soft set honey?
A: Store soft set honey in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Low temperatures can help prevent spoilage and maintain its spreadable consistency.
Q: How does the colour of soft set honey differ from other types of honey?
A: The colour of soft set honey can vary depending on the flowers the bees collect nectar from. For instance, honey from rapeseed tends to be lighter, while hedgerow honey may have a darker hue due to the diverse forage available.
Q: What tools are best for stirring or scooping soft set honey?
A: A spatula or a spoon works well for stirring and scooping soft set honey. For larger batches, you might consider using a pestle and mortar to mix in any additional ingredients.
Source Links
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowdonia-Honey-Mountains-Unpasteurised-Natural/dp/B0C7P23JMD - Snowdonia Wildflower Soft Set Honey | Creamy Welsh Honey | Pure, Natural and Unpasteurised | Perfect on Warm Crumpets and Toast
- https://wendellestate.ca/raw-honey-faq/4/?srsltid=AfmBOorH7I8wLUU3H-in9i749axQrkQOWrFUB8er1i4wKPl13SFI6gzs - Your raw honey questions answered by experienced beekeepers.
- https://braintreebka.wordpress.com/soft-set-and-seeded-honey/ - Soft set and creamed honey
- https://honeybeeandco.uk/soft-set-honey/ - British Soft Set Honey | HoneyBee & Co
- https://issuu.com/beesfd/docs/112_bfdj_sep2014/s/12999499 - Practical beekeeping – soft set honey - Issuu
- https://theapiarist.org/preparing-honey/ - Preparing honey
- https://theapiarist.org/jarring-honey/ - Jarring honey
- https://www.polar-honey.com/en/journey-of-honey.php - Journey of Honey | Polar-Honey Finland
- https://snowdoniahoney.com/blogs/news/honey-adulteration?srsltid=AfmBOopw8l0V6kHPwK6vSRFRbIrPosaQkcL9F6rjcBAc_V5BmjYMwP25 - Honey Adulteration: Detecting Fake vs Honey Direct from the Beekeeper!
- https://zanducare.com/blogs/exploring-ayurveda/set-honey-vs-clear-honey?srsltid=AfmBOorIT2l-oAS3fB9SngV4GVwCHWHgehCaWmxs9y9_I46bD-eA72rx - Set Honey Vs Clear Honey: What Should You Eat For Healthy Life?
- https://zanducare.com/blogs/exploring-ayurveda/set-honey-vs-clear-honey?srsltid=AfmBOoq44oQNJ06HvX6mj0Xb0sJ_oezhmfDn4Mujir0mCaVqErIDf8Bh - Set Honey Vs Clear Honey: What Should You Eat For Healthy Life?
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-5043161/The-reason-honey-runny-soft-set.html - Revealed: The reason why honey can be runny or soft set
- https://wendellestate.ca/creamed-raw-honey-storage-instructions/?srsltid=AfmBOopmMLFxFQ35ej8UQlcqxNGbsZ0wAPXQYJjOnzO6fOEv6yZ7dCim - Storing Raw Soft-Set Honey | Wendell Estate Honey
