Honey crystallization....

[archer5x]

I am new to bee keeping this year and recently harvested my first honey of 5 medium frames from my strongest hive, they do have two deep brood supers with enough stores to keep them through winter but just finished two candy boards to add to the hives. This honey was bottled on Nov. 23, 2012 and is very light in color almost a white/yellow and i got approx: 11.5 lbs on honey from the 5 medium frames. the problem is it has crystallized already, my research shows that a light colored honey will do this fairly quickly, any suggestions or guidance will be appreciated. I believe the honey is white clover and golden rod. Thanks........

[pine_ridge_farms]

Heat it up low and slow to 110-115 degrees and it will re-liquify. Happens to raw honey over time and especially fast with the fall goldenrod/aster honey.

[brooksbeefarm]

For your own use i would leave it in the crystallized stage until i was ready to use it. then do as Dan, above says.

[robo mantis]

Put it in a pot of water and set it to low heat. Make sure the lid is off or partially opened. Over time when the water starts to simmer or boil stir the honey a little and keep doing so til it liquifies. That's what i did and mine is still liquified and its been a few weeks.

[KQ6AR]

FYI tupalo honey is a light honey, that is very slow to crystallize. One of the slowest.

[Steven Tervort]

We have always left the honey jar on the stove.whenever we cook the heat indirectly liquifies the honey. If you are worried about appearance for gifting do what robo says. Never microwave.

[MichaelShantz]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it is very important to avoid getting ANY water in the honey during extraction. I'm very careful about this and my honey is very slow to crystalize.

[jbeshearse]

If your honey is in glass, put it in the oven at 120 for a couple of hours. no danger of getting moisture in it. Loosen the lid to keep pressure from building up in the jar.

Moisture in Honey does not cause it to crystallize but it will lead to fermentation is the moisture content is much over 18%.

[JRG13]

Color has nothing to do with it as far as I know. Glucose to fructose ratio is the main factor.

[twesmitch]

I am new to bee keeping this year and recently harvested my first honey of 5 medium frames from my strongest hive, they do have two deep brood supers with enough stores to keep them through winter but just finished two candy boards to add to the hives. This honey was bottled on Nov. 23, 2012 and is very light in color almost a white/yellow and i got approx: 11.5 lbs on honey from the 5 medium frames. the problem is it has crystallized already, my research shows that a light colored honey will do this fairly quickly, any suggestions or guidance will be appreciated. I believe the honey is white clover and golden rod. Thanks........

if honey is in qt. size or smaller put them your dishwasher with your dishes tighten lids turn on

[mgolden]

There's lots of fall threads and posts on crystalization and search function is easy to use!

Honey should not be microwaved or heated above 104F, as if my memory is correct, enzymes are destroyed, loss of the delicate flavor&aroma, darkening the color, and loss of nutritional value. A water bath with heat on very low c/w thermometer or a honey chamber as simple as a kitchen oven/old deep freeze/old fridge/insulated wood box, light bulbs and a thermostat work very well to liquefy small quantities.

Recommended max temperature of honey is 95-104F.

[KQ6AR]

I've read 110F-115F being the warmest temp to take raw honey. If you don't mind killing the beneficial properties of raw honey, you can heat it hotter.
Most of you're grocery store honey has been flash heated around 160F.

[Random Acres Farm]

My Goldenrod honey crystallizes very quickly and it is a favorite. We expect it to crystalize quickly and our customers have no problem using it that way.

[rmdial]

I have heard of putting it in hot tub. I have mine set at 102. How long should it take for quart jars, and 1/2 gallon plastic? If in for a long time, it still should never go beyond temp of water, correct?

[Dan. NY]

My fall honey started crystalizing quickly after harvest and I just let it. My suggestion: Use it that way! Bake yourself a few loaves of Christmas nut roll. A rubber spatula can scrape a jar fairly clean. Scrape the crystalized honey on the bread roll to hold the nut mixture in place. Very very good stuff.