CRYSTALLIZATION OF HONEY IS NORMAL AND OCCURS IN ALL TYPES OF HONEY.
The possibility of crystallization is reduced as the water content in honey is greater.
More dense types of honey are saturated with natural grape sugars and are thus more prone to faster crystallization.
Acacia honey, for example, can remain liquid for up to three years, while clover honey crystallizes in as little as three to four months. Sunflower honey changes states after twenty days, and rapeseed in less than a week.
Honey decrystallization is carried out at a temperatures of up to 40°C.
First class honey cannot contain more than 20% water, the lower that percentage is the better the honey. Water content in honey normally ranges between 13% and 21%.
If the moisture content of honey is greater than permitted it is possible for fermentation to occur and for honey to spoil.
It is a great misconception that honey is not to be eaten with a metal spoon. Namely, honey does not deteriorate once it has come into contact with metal as evidenced by the fact that between extraction and storage it is manipulated with metal apparatus and vessels. However, it is important not to consume royal jelly with metal, rather a plastic or wooden spoon, as some of its medicinal ingredients would lose its healing properties in contact with metal.
HONEY MUST NOT BE PROCESSED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40°C (max. 45°C), this includes being poured into hot tea or milk, because this breaks down enzymes, invertase and diastase, which is when honey loses its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Honey can be packaged and stored in containers made of glass, ceramics, wood, aluminum or plastic. These vessels with honey should be hermetically sealed. Honey is kept in a cool, dry, dark place where there are no strong odors. There is no need to keep honey in the refrigerator.
Low GI of honey is preferred for lowering cholesterol!
- Honey has a 40% lower caloric value than sugar (sucrose); it is 25% sweeter than sugar; it contains approximately 38% fructose, 31% glucose, 1% sucrose, 9% other sugars, 4% minerals!
- Honey is also used for treating migraines, if a tablespoon of honey is dissolved in 2 dl of hot water. It is drunk cooled at the initial stage of a headache!
- Honey is a good laxative! Helps with stomach ailments, diarrhea and dehydration!
- Honey is great for a refreshing, morning tonic! A tablespoon of honey dissolved in 2 dl of lukewarm water, add lemon juice and drink before going to work, school, etc.