Why honey is stratified: reasons for the separation of the product into liquid and thick, what to do
Natural bee honey, regardless of variety, crystallizes over time. The timing of candied products may vary depending on the composition of the nectar. Sometimes the sugaring process does not occur evenly, and liquid and solid layers of honey are formed in the container with the delicacy. Why natural flower honey exfoliates, and whether such a product can be eaten, we will look into the details further.
Why does honey exfoliate during storage
The reasons for the delamination of a valuable bee product can be different, and depend both on the quality of the delicacy and on the conditions of its storage.
- The main composition of honey is he althy sugars. The percentage of glucose and fructose depends on the maturity of the product and the plants from which the bees collected nectar. If fructose predominates in the delicacy, such a product remains liquid and viscous for a long time. In the case of a large amount of glucose, honey quickly candied, becomes more dense. But if the ratio of carbohydrates is equal, the nectar is divided into solid and liquid fractions.
- Stratification of goodies is possible if beekeepers mix different varieties of natural gift. Each type of nectar has a certain consistency and density, therefore, when mixed, it separates into a liquid and thick layer.
- The maturity of a bee product is determined by its moisture content. In high-quality nectar, the percentage of water should not exceed 20-21%. In unripe honey, the humidity is higher, so during storage, the liquid remains on the surface, and sugar crystals settle to the bottom of the container. In such a delicacy, irreversible fermentation processes begin, and it becomes unfit for consumption.
- Keep healing sweetness in a dark, cool room in glass, ceramic or porcelain containers. If it is exposed to sunlight, high temperature and humidity in the place of storage, the risk of stratification of sweetness increases.
- If a few days after the purchase, the nectar began to delaminate into uneven and heterogeneous particles, most likely this is not a natural, but a fake product, which contains foreign compounds and substances.
Important! The only variety that is characterized by stratification into solid and liquid fractions is buckwheat bee nectar.
Can I eat honey that has exfoliated
Stratification of goodies occurs for various reasons, which determine whether such a product can be eaten:
- natural bee gift with the same fructose and glucose content separates during storage, but the nectar does not lose its healing and nutritional properties;
- when improperly stored, nectar loses its value and begins to delaminate, but such a delicacy can be eaten as a regular sweet;
- immature honey is introduced into the diet until the start of fermentation processes;
- mixed varieties of natural bee products are also suitable for daily use.
Fake bee gift, in addition to delamination into uneven fractions, does not have a specific honey aroma and taste.
Often, caramel or vanilla flavor, sugar syrup, starch and chemicals that can harm the human body are added to such a product.
What to do with a delaminated product
If natural flower nectar exfoliates, this is not a reason to get rid of a delicious and expensive product.
- A mixture of different varieties of bee gift without signs of manifestations of the fermentation process can be eaten, added to various drinks, desserts, milk porridges, cottage cheese and pastries.
- Unripe, fermented honey is used to make homemade mead. If the nectar has not yet turned sour and has not deteriorated, it is used in cooking for baking, added to sauces and marinades.
- Honey that has not been properly stored and spoiled can also be introduced into the diet, added to various dishes and pastries. Before use, such nectar is thoroughly mixed. If the bottom layer is heavily sugared, the container with the product is heated in a water bath, at a temperature not higher than +36 degrees. Dissolved honey, although it loses its composition of vitamins, mineral compounds remain unchanged.
Advice! A fake bee product is not recommended for consumption.
Substances included in such a surrogate most often have a negative impact on human he alth.
How to avoid the problem
Delamination of a favorite treat is most often associated with improper storage conditions for a valuable product. Store natural bee honey at a temperature of -5 to +21 degrees, in a dark room with low humidity.
To avoid purchasing low-quality nectar, purchases are made only at official retail outlets and from trusted sellers, having previously read the documents for the goods.
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