At Honingwinkel.nl, we regularly get the question:
"My honey has hardened, is it still good?"
The short answer: yes, absolutely!
Crystallized (granulated) honey is actually a sign of real, natural honey. In this article, we explain why honey crystallizes, what it says about its quality, and how to deal with it.
What exactly is crystallized honey?
Crystallization – also known as granulation – is a natural process in which liquid honey slowly transforms into a solid, grainy substance. This happens because one of the natural sugars in honey, glucose, forms crystals. Honey with a higher glucose content will crystallize faster than honey with more fructose.
Is crystallization a sign of quality? Absolutely!
Contrary to what many people think, crystallization is not a sign of bad or spoiled honey. On the contrary: it means that the honey has not been heated or filtered in an industrial manner. Commercial honey brands often pasteurize and ultra-filter honey to prevent crystallization, but this comes at the expense of taste, smell, and valuable nutrients such as enzymes and minerals.
Crystallization is therefore a natural characteristic of real, unprocessed honey, like that from our beekeepers.
Why does some honey remain liquid?
Not all honey crystallizes at the same rate. The speed depends on:
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The flower type: Acacia honey and chestnut honey, for example, remain liquid much longer due to their high fructose content.
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The processing: Industrial honey is often heavily heated, which delays or even completely stops crystallization.
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The temperature: Honey crystallizes faster at temperatures around 10–15 °C.
At Honingwinkel.nl, we exclusively sell real, raw honey — and it's perfectly fine for it to crystallize. That means it's alive!
How do you make crystallized honey liquid again?
Very simply: place the honey jar in a bowl of warm water (bain-marie) at a maximum of 40°C. Let it melt gently and stir occasionally.
Note: never heat honey in the microwave or above 40°C, as this will destroy the valuable enzymes and aromas.
In short: crystallization is a sign of pure honey
Crystallized honey is:
- 100% natural
- Unprocessed
- Rich in taste and nutrients
- A sign of real quality
So, do you see crystals in your honey jar? Don't worry — that's exactly how good honey from Honingwinkel.nl should be.
