Crystallisation of Honey

Some honey of recent batches for our cold smoked honey has been crystalising lately due to many factors but is completely normal for this time of the year and is perfectly safe to consume.

The following information should help you understand about crystallisation of honey:
Over time, many types of honey will granulate, or crystallize. This is a natural process that can occur. The honey looks cloudy, and results in a separation with a liquid part on the top and a more solid, crystallized part on the bottom. Depending upon the original nectar source, this granulation or crystallization rate might differ from honey type to honey type, but it’s a normal occurrence, and not harmful in the least. This natural phenomenon happens when glucose (one of 3 main sugars in honey) spontaneously precipitates out of the supersaturated honey solution. The glucose loses water and takes the form of a crystal. The crystals form a lattice, which immobilises other components of honey in a suspension thus creating the semi-solid state. Many factors effect the crystallisation of honey – some batches never crystallise while other occur in a few days. Crystallisation can be stimulated by any small particles – dust, pollens, bits of very fine beeswax, propolis and air bubbles – that are present naturally in honey. These factors are also related to the type of honey and are influenced by how the honey is handled and processed. Additionally the composition of the various sugars in percentage terms changes in differing honey floral sources and that also effects the rate of Crystallisation.
Granulated (or crystallized) honey is just as safe to eat as non-granulated honey, but it can be easily restored to its natural state. Just warm up the container with the granulated honey in hot water. The crystals will melt and the honey will re-liquefy easily, although each time it’s re-heated, the honey will granulate slightly quicker than before.
Especially if you don’t use honey that often, it has the tendency to start to crystalize in the bottle and become hard. But, did you know that it doesn’t mean the honey has gone bad? It is quite easy to revive your crystalized honey so you can use it once again.
Get a bowl or measuring cup that is larger than the size of your honey container. Fill it with hot water, and then set your container of honey (make sure it is shut tight!) into the hot water. It will take about half an hour, but the honey will turn into liquid again, and the crystals will be gone.
Note: it is not recommended to microwave your honey container, as they are not microwave safe, and can even cause sparks. And it is also very easy to overheat honey in the microwave, so we recommend you heat your honey using the hot water method instead. PET packs are not suitable for Microwaves.
We trust this explains why it happens for you better.