Shea Simmons
You’re ready to make tea, and you head to the cabinet to grab a bit of honey. When you grab the jar, though, you realize that it has crystallized over time. Thankfully, though, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a dash.
All you need in order to fix crystallized honey is a bit of water and heat.
What is crystallization, though? If you’ve ever noticed your honey becoming cloudy or looking as though it has tiny dots in it, that’s crystallization. This happens when the water and the glucose (a specific type of sugar) begin to separate. It has nothing to do with your honey going bad, and that’s why you can fix it.
To do so, you’ll place the jar of honey into a pan of hot water. Gently stir the jar as the water begins to warm. Keep your heat at a low to medium level so it doesn’t overheat and potentially alter the flavor. After a few minutes of warming, you should begin to see the cloudiness dissipate. While it might seem like a good idea to just pop your honey in the microwave for a quick fix, it’ll warm too quickly, so stick to the pan.
Once your honey has been repaired, the key to keeping it in good shape is to store it properly. It should be kept at room temperature, as cold is what makes the sugar separate. If you’re storing your honey in the fridge, it’s time to move it out to your countertop or pantry.
The next time you get a bear-shaped bottle of honey, put it out for the world to see and prevent crystallization.
