Would you microwave honey?

[debodun]

I got a jar of unfiltered honey this summer at the farmer's market. It's now rock solid and cloudy. I thought I could re-liquify it my microwaving, but some web sites say that destroys the chemical structure and nutritive value. This is just one example:

To what temperature does honey have to be heated to destroy the health benefits for humans? – Bee Health

 

[hollydolly]

yes I would.. How to Decrystallize Raw Honey While Retaining Quality and Flavor - Asheville Bee Charmer

 

[debodun]

That shows the hot water method. I don't see that they say anywhere to microwave it.

 

[hollydolly]

That shows the hot water method. I don't see that they say anywhere to microwave it.

No they actually say ''don't microwave it''... due to the uneven heating of a microwave... but I still would. I'd do it in 30 second bursts at 50 %

 

[dilettante]

Microwaving is fine. Don't overheat it though. Once the water starts being boiled off you might risk breakdown of some microingredients.

But honey is basically identical to corn syrup, not magical at all.

Honey No Healthier than Corn Syrup, Says Honey-Funded Study

 

[David777]

Even a slight amount on the side of a container could unevenly heat most rapidly and start burning.

Mic heat up a larger container with hot water then put honey container within.

 

[CallMeKate]

I've done it when honey crystalized... *but* only for a very short time
until I could see it wasn't crystalized any longer. Talking seconds here,
not minutes.

 

[Jules]

I dig a big spoonful out, approx what I need. Set on very low and only for a few seconds. As soon as it starts to dissolve, take it out and stir it. Don’t attempt to do the whole jar; it‘ll harden again later.

 

[old medic]

- Asheville Bee Charmer

LOL.... Holly, Thier local to us and been in the store several times.

Deb, I don't recommend using a microwave at all. Set it in a container of hot water and change it out as it cools. You could also use a crock pot filled with water and put it on low. I get honey for making Mead, not uncommon to have a 10 Lb pail crystalize before I get to it.

 

[Don M.]

We always have some "hardened" honey in the bottom of the container. We just run some hot water into a pan, and put the honey jar in that for a few minutes, until it softens enough to flow.

 

[StarSong]

I've done it when honey crystalized... *but* only for a very short time
until I could see it wasn't crystalized any longer. Talking seconds here,
not minutes.

Same here. 5 seconds at a time.

 

[StarSong]

Microwaving is fine. Don't overheat it though. Once the water starts being boiled off you might risk breakdown of some microingredients.

But honey is basically identical to corn syrup, not magical at all.

Honey No Healthier than Corn Syrup, Says Honey-Funded Study

To be clear the study didn't discuss micro nutrients :
"The goal of this small study was to see how three types of sweeteners affected test subjects:
The researchers gave subjects daily doses of each of three sweeteners — honey, cane sugar, and high-fructose corn sweetener — for two weeks at a time. They then compared measures of blood sugar, insulin, body weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure in the 55 subjects.

"The researchers found that the three sweeteners basically have the same impacts. Most measures were unchanged by the sweeteners. One measure of a key blood fat, a marker for heart disease, rose with all three.
You can see the study itself here: Consumption of Honey, Sucrose, and High-Fructose Corn Syrup Produces Similar Metabolic Effects in Glucose-Tolerant and -Intolerant Individuals"

According to the Cleveland Clinic:
"Honey contains antioxidants, minerals, enzymes that have many potential health benefits. There’s also evidence that honey can:

• Soothe coughs: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics both endorse honey as a natural cough remedy.
• Treat wounds and burns: Pharmaceutical-grade manuka honey dressings have been used in clinical settings to treat burns and pressure ulcers.

“Many other claims have been made about the health benefits of honey – some based on very small studies, others overstated and based on mixed study results,” Ilic says. “Additional studies are needed.”
Health Benefits of Honey and How to Use It

 

[IrisSenior]

No, I don't microwave as it destroys some of the components (I believe). I just boil the kettle and when it has cooled down a bit, I pour the hot water into container and set the jar of honey in it until the crystals are dissolved. You can also use a pot on the stove.