Honey ...

[naz_nomad]

I can buy two jars of clear honey, from two different shops, put them next to each other in the cupboard ... one stays clear and runny forever, yet the other crystallizes and starts to solidify ...

I know it's easy to microwave it for a few seconds, but just wondered why it happened?

[Clanad]

Primarily, because each container of honey hasn't been extracted from the comb at the same time. One may have been in the bee-keeper's warehouse longer than the other. Additionally, as a bee-keeper, I've noticed that the source of the nectar for the bees often has an affect on the speed of crystallization. It seems that nectar obtained by the bees from fields of clover or alfalfa will crystallize faster (though not terribly noticeably) than say, nectar obtained from Dogwoods in the southern U.S. Having said that, true mono-floral honeys (those obtained from only one nectar source) are fairly rare. Finally, when the honey is extracted from the combs it always has a smaller or greater amount, depending on filtration, of beeswax. The more beeswax a container of honey has the faster it will crystallize. The amount of beeswax may not be that noticeable to the consumer...

[naz_nomad]

Wow...thanks for that ... I can honestly say that's one of the best answers to any question I've ever seen on here ... nice one ... and thanks again

[lia*]

Yes.. thanks for explaining that Clanad. I always wondered if sugar was added to honey when it crystallizes and solidifies.

Good question Naz.