Crystallized Honey doesn't always look great - especially when its sitting on a grocery shelf! Those little crystals can sometimes look like sand or sediment sitting at the bottom of the jar - but don't worry, it's totally safe, and delicious to use!
Crystallized Honey can be a great asset to have in your kitchen anytime of the year - best of all crystallized honey is perfectly natural, completely safe, and even more versatile than you might think. Read on to learn more!
What Is Crystallized Honey?
Crystallization is a natural process that occurs when the glucose in honey separates from the water, forming sugar crystals. When raw honey is completely unpasteurized, this can happen more quickly, often within 3-4 months of harvesting. That is why we churn our Raw And Cold Pressed Unpasteurized Honeys in order to preserve their unpasteurized nature, and ensure they don't harden!
Liquid honey that’s been heated and filtered to stay liquid for longer can undergo crystallization, around the 18 month mark, when a single granule of "honey sugar" forms and falls out of the liquid solution - this causes it to crystallize rapidly! It's good to note that crystallized honey retains all the beneficial enzymes, nutrients, and antioxidants that make honey such a powerhouse in your pantry!
How to Use Crystallized Honey in Cooking, Baking, and Cocktails
Here’s how you can turn that jar of crystallized honey into a secret weapon in your kitchen, adding depth and sweetness to your favorite dishes and drinks!
1. Make Your Very Own Creamed Honey
This is the perfect hack to making your very own Creamed Honey! Scoop out your crystallized honey into a bowl and add a liquid honey in a 1:1 ratio - less if you want it to be creamier. Using a hand mixer, which the honey for about 5 minutes, or longer until your desired consistency is achieved. Using a spatula, scoop the honey into a glass mason jar.
CHEF'S TIP: You can easily add cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne or ghost peppers, lavender, nutella, mint or any flavour to your beautifully whipped creamed honey to create a delicious, spicy, sweet or savoury spread!
Now you can use it as an ingredient for baking, as a spread, as a dip or even to make your very own Honey Mask For Glowing Skin.
2. Cooking with Crystallized Honey: Glazed Roasted Vegetables
Crystallized honey is perfect for creating glazes that stick beautifully to roasted vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness. For a delicious side dish, try this simple recipe:
- Ingredients: Crystallized honey, olive oil, salt, and your favorite root vegetables (like carrots, sweet potatoes, or parsnips).
- Instructions: Toss chopped vegetables in olive oil and a a generous spoonful of crystallized honey. Mix until the vegetables are well-coated, then roast in the oven until tender. The honey liquefy and caramelize, giving the vegetables a golden, sweet finish that your family will love.
We tried it. We loved it. You and your family will too!
2. Baking with Crystallized Honey: Honey Oatmeal Cookies
Using crystallized honey instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners keeps them moist, and can add a rich, chewy texture to baked goods. That is why crystallized honey makes for an ideal ingredient in cookies, cakes, and muffins. Try this recipe for honey oatmeal cookies:
- Ingredients: Butter, egg, crystallized honey, rolled oats, flour, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Instructions: Cream together the butter, crystallized honey and egg. Fold in the oats, flour, and cinnamon, and drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown. The honey will create a soft, flavorful cookie that’s perfect for an after-school snack.
3. Crafting Warm Cozy Cocktails: Honey Hot Toddy
Crystallized honey dissolves easily in warm liquids, making it a great addition to a warm cozy cocktail - or mocktail!
- Ingredients: Crystallized honey, warm water, lemon juice, whiskey (or cognac), cinnamon
- Instructions: Dissolve the crystallized honey in 3/4 cup of hot water, then add a shot of alcohol (or skip if it's a mocktail), mix with lemon juice and garnish with some cinnamon powder and a stick of cinnamon.
Returning Crystallized Honey to Liquid Form
If you prefer liquid honey, it’s easy to return crystallized honey to its original state. Simply place the jar in a warm water bath and stir until the crystals dissolve. Avoid using a microwave, as this can destroy some of the honey’s beneficial properties.
Embrace Crystallized Honey
Crystallized honey isn’t something to shy away from; it’s a versatile and valuable ingredient in your kitchen. Whether you’re scooping it on to roasted vegetables, baking up a batch of cookies, or mixing it into a refreshing cocktail, crystallized honey adds a unique texture and rich flavor that enhances every recipe. So, the next time you find a jar of crystallized honey in your pantry, don’t pass it by—embrace it and discover all the delicious ways you can use it in your cooking and baking adventures!
