
Many of us enjoy using honey as a natural, healthier alternative to sugar. But what should you do when your raw honey turns crystallized? Can it still be used? The simple answer: Absolutely, don't discard it. Learn from a honey expert about its safety, how to restore its liquid state, and ideas for using crystallized honey.
Is It Safe to Consume Crystallized Honey?
First off, crystallized honey is perfectly safe to eat. Honey naturally crystallizes over time, but that doesn't mean you should throw away your jar.
Fortunately, crystallization doesn't impact the flavor or quality of honey. In fact, as Zeke Freeman, the founder of the honey company Bee Raw, explains, partially or fully crystallized honey can even offer a deeper flavor.
How to Return Honey to Liquid Form
To restore the consistency of your honey, follow these steps for decrystallizing and take advantage of the helpful tips provided.
Step 1: Only Liquefy What You Plan to Use
Only decrystallize the amount of honey you actually need. Repeatedly heating and cooling honey can cause it to lose its distinct flavor. So, avoid decrystallizing all of your honey just for it to crystallize again later.
Step 2: Use Glass, Not Plastic
If your honey is stored in plastic, transfer the crystallized honey into a glass jar with a sealable lid. This prevents any plastic from melting into the honey during the recrystallization process.
Step 3: Opt for Warm Water, Not Boiling
Place the open glass jar of honey (only the amount you need) in a warm water bath—not boiling—for five to ten minutes to dissolve the crystals. Ensure the water covers the honey but doesn't get inside the jar.
The water should not be boiling or too hot, to ensure the quality of honey remains intact. If the temperature gets too high, raw honey can lose its nutritional properties and eventually caramelize, which is no longer honey. Never microwave honey, as microwaves heat unevenly, potentially causing parts of it to boil.
Step 4: Keep it Away from Cold Temperatures
Colder environments increase the likelihood of crystallization, according to Freeman. To prevent crystallization, store your honey at room temperature and never in the fridge.
Ways to Use Crystallized Honey
If you end up with crystallized honey, here are some simple and effective ways to make the most of it.
Use as a Sugar Substitute in Baking
Crystallized honey can be used as a substitute for sugar in your baked recipes. Since it contains less moisture than liquid honey, you won’t need to adjust the liquid ingredients as much while still achieving the familiar sweetness of honey.
However, honey is sweeter than regular sugar, so use less of it. Begin with ¾ cup of crystallized honey for each cup of sugar and adjust to taste as you go.
Perfect for Spreading on Toast
One advantage of crystallized honey is that it spreads easily without the mess. Spread it on sprouted grain toast topped with fruits like sliced apples or pears, goat cheese, or fresh tomatoes for a sweet-savory treat that's both delicious and tidy.
Incorporate Into Your Beauty Routine
Honey acts as a humectant, which means it helps to retain moisture. You can use crystallized honey as an exfoliant for your skin or hair. The gentle abrasiveness of the sugar provides a natural way to cleanse impurities from your scalp or body.
Add to Your Breakfast as a Topping
It may not pour, but crystallized honey is just as delicious as regular honey when added to foods like Greek yogurt or oatmeal. The best part? It adds a satisfying crunch to your dish.
Mix Into Your Tea
Instead of using sugar, try stirring crystallized honey into your tea. As it melts in the hot tea, the crystals dissolve seamlessly—almost like magic.