Is it worth eating honey if it splits into two parts during storage?
When purchasing honey for future use, every buyer expects that the product will be stored for a long time and there will be no unpleasant surprises.
But sometimes the prepared sweet product can separate into a thick and liquid part.
How useful this honey is, and whether it can be used at all, depends on a number of circumstances.
Why honey separated during storage and what to do with it next will be discussed in the article.
Content
Can it delaminate?
In most cases, separation of the product into distinct layers is a warning sign.. Most often this indicates violations of technology during production and/or storage. But in some cases, this is a completely natural and understandable process that does not at all reduce the properties of the product.
Another factor that affects delamination, including of a natural product, is non-compliance with the temperature regime. The warmer the room in which the supply of flower nectar is stored, the more contrasting these layers will be.
Why is this happening?
There are several reasons why honey separates. The main ones include:
- counterfeit product;
- overheat;
- mixing several varieties in one container;
- high air humidity;
- the ratio of fructose and glucose in the composition;
- pumping out unripe honey.
The consistency of the product is also affected by the ratio of glucose and fructose in the product. If the product is of high quality and natural, then such separation does not impair its usefulness, but may indicate a violation of storage standards and conditions.
This video will tell you about honey separation:
Beekeeper mistakes
Even at the stage of honey production, violations are possible that will subsequently affect the characteristics of the finished product. One of the important conditions is the percentage of moisture in the pumped out nectar.
It is optimal that its amount is no more than 20%. If this is not the case, but the honey was still pumped out, the product can be eaten, but with restrictions. It should not be stored for a long time, as it may begin not only to delaminate, but also to deteriorate due to the fact that water provokes fermentation.
If a beekeeper combines several types of honey nectar in one container, the product in most cases will begin to separate over time. This will not make it harmful, but such honey can no longer claim to be elite.
Violation of storage rules
Improperly organized storage very often causes changes in the product. Honey should be kept in a dark and cool place, away from sunlight.
If these conditions are not met, there is a risk of inventory spoilage. You should not purchase honey that is displayed in a sunny display case.
Natural causes
Fructose and glucose in different honey collections may be present in different proportions.
During long-term storage natural crystallization processes begin to occur in the product when exposed to glucose. Fructose, on the contrary, prevents the product from hardening.
If there is little fructose, division into separate fractions does not occur. But in the case when glucose and fructose are present in almost the same ratio, layering will appear. Also, dividing the product into layers may be the result of nectar from other plants entering the total mass of honey.
Unscrupulous seller
Dishonesty of sellers is also common. Sometimes, in order to give honey a beautiful presentation, it is heated in advance. Depending on how long and intense the heating is, beneficial substances may be lost.
Another technique that sellers sometimes use to increase the volume of an expensive product and give it the beautiful appearance of thick syrup is dilution. Even adding regular sugar syrup does not go without consequences - the quality immediately suffers, and after a while the sweet mass will begin to separate into separate fractions.
You should only purchase honey from trusted sellers with a reliable reputation.
Effect of delamination on product quality
If the honey was initially of high quality and natural, and there are no signs of fermentation, delamination does not in any way affect the taste and usefulness of the product. This allows you to use it in any form at your discretion.
Honey that has separated due to being collected too early should be eaten first, since it cannot be stored for a long time.
What to do with him?
If the product has already separated, it is necessary to check its condition, and do not rush to throw away all supplies.
In the absence of fermentation and other warning signs, the contents of the jar can simply be mixed to make it uniform.
This can only be done when the causes of separation are natural.
For early unripe honey, which contains a lot of water, the shelf life is extremely limited. It must be used literally immediately, within a matter of weeks, since fermentation may already begin a month after pumping out. When it has just begun, the product can still be used in cooking - as a base for mead and in baking.
If honey was stored incorrectly and this caused delamination, you need to mix the whole mass and put the jar in a cool, dark place. It is advisable to use such a product first.
Prevention
Honey is a natural product, which over time can separate and become sugary.
To ensure that the delicacy is preserved as best as possible, The following conditions must be met:
- Protection from sunlight where the product is kept.
- It is advisable that the container be made of glass or ceramics if the products are planned to be stored for a long time.
- Having a sealed lid is a must.
- The humidity level in the place reserved for storing honey reserves should be up to 75% (the lower this figure, the better).
- The air temperature should be in the range from +5 to +20°C, preferably up to +10°C (this is especially important for honey that was pumped out ahead of time).
The quality of the product and its composition can only be checked with high accuracy in laboratory conditions.
Conclusion
Honey separation has many causes. Not all of them mean spoilage of a sweet treat. If honey is not spoiled, it can be eaten even if divided into fractions.
