What causes honey to turn dark like molassas and is it safe to eat?!
What causes honey to turn dark like molassas and is it safe to eat?
I know honey supposedly will last for ever but I have never seen it turn so dark, I have had it for a long time. It was slightly crystalized and I warmed it and crystals melted.
Answers: Dark honey occures naturally depending on the nectar the honey bees collect. In your case you got the honey to hot when turning it back to its liquid state from the crystalized state. It should be ok but, next time don't use a microwave or direct heat. Just place the bottle on a double boiler or place the container into simmering water and turn off the water and let the honey container sit in the hot water. Source(s):
I used to keep bees on a comercal scale (500 colonies) Totally safe, you just have to melt it as you did and it will be back to what it was like originally. I don't know exactly why it crystalizes, there are some honeys that crystalize very quickly and others that take months...... but there's nothing wrong with that. Just a natural process of this particular matter, I suppose.... Still edible honey was found in the tombs of the Pharoahs - it's the only food which doesn't spoil (so much for the dates on the jars) but as you've found, it does crystalize. You can warm it either in the microwave or stand the jar in hot water to make it runny again and it is still safe to eat. Honey gets dark like that when heated.
Next time just put it in hot water and 'leave it set' for awhile.
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