26/09/2020
Frequently Asked Questions about Raw and Wild Honey
Describing honey is not as simple as one might think. In an effort to help our consumers, we have collated some facts that you should know about Raw and Wild Honey.
WHAT IS HONEYBEE BY R&T?
Our honey is harvested from the different forests in the mountains of Quezon. From the word "RAW",this means that it did not undergo any process (unprocessed), it is not heated (unpasteurized). The bees that produce honey do not come from a bee farm or apiary so they are not cultured bees. They are natural bees that produce honey without any human intervention. From the beehives in the forests, honey gets strained to separate particles like beeswax and honeycomb.
What Makes Honey Thick or Runny? WHY IS THE COLOR,TASTE AND TEXTURE OF THE HONEY DIFFERENT?
The taste, texture,consistency,color,aroma and flavor will vary from season to season, depending on which flowers or food sources are dominant at the time the nectar is collected. The climate or temperature of the region is also a factor.
WHY CONSUME RAW HONEY?
Raw honey is known for its health-benefits. It is not heated. Heating honey (pasteurization) destroys all of the pollen, enzymes, propolis, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and aromatics. Thus, in raw honey, all nutritional benefits are still intact. Honey that has been heated and well filtered is called commercial, liquid or regular honey.
DOES HONEY SPOIL?
The only food on earth that does not spoil is HONEY. However, when honey is placed in a container, if the container was not stored properly, it may still spoil. The only way that it will expire is if it gets contaminated by water or moisture so make sure to never get water into your honey jar.
SHOULD HONEY BE REFRIGERATED AFTER OPENING?
Honey is one of the easiest things in your pantry to store. Simply keep it in a cool location away from direct sunlight and in a tightly sealed container. ... It is not necessary to refrigerate honey. In fact, it's much easier to handle in room temperature.
DOES PURE HONEY SOLIDIFY WHEN INSIDE THE FREEZER?
Yes and No. Pure honey contains only about 18 percent water and that is not enough to freeze. It may harden a bit but some component of the honey will continue to flow, very slowly. It will not be totally frozen. It will not be as hard as ice.
CAN BACTERIA GROW IN HONEY?
Most bacteria and other microbes cannot grow or reproduce in honey. This is due to antibacterial properties of honey.
DOES PURE HONEY GRANULATE/ CRYSTALLIZE?
Granulation or crystallisation of honey is a natural process and does not affect the quality of honey. Some floral varieties have a tendency to granulate more quickly than others and cold temperature also speeds up the rate of crystallisation (especially below 10 degrees Celsius). In warmer climates (where temperature reaches 30 degree Celsius or higher), honey remains runny much longer.
To return grainy honey to its clear liquid state, simply place the jar over a warm water bath
IF ANTS ARE ATTRACTED TO HONEY, DOES IT MEAN IT IS NOT PURE?
The ant test for honey purity is a myth. Ants generally are attracted to sweet foods, regardless if its pure or not. Hence whether ants would be attracted depends on various factors including place (try changing storage place). To keep ants away, wipe the lid of the bottle clean and dry after each use as any drip may attract ants.
WHY FOAM/WHITE STUFF APPEARS ON TOP OF SOME HONEY JARS?
Honey Foam (white stuff that floats on top of honey jars) is a result of the tiny air bubbles in the honey escaping to the top. These are air bubbles trapped in the honey while being poured in the container. When the packaged honey rests, the air bubbles work their way up to the top of the container, creating the foam.
Real honey contains active enzymes, proteins and amino acids which are responsible for the production of these fine air bubbles and there is nothing wrong with the honey or the foam.
Honey foam is delicious. It is light, flavorful, and packed with air bubbles that have trapped some of the wondrous stuff that is in raw honey: pollen, propolis, wax, and, of course, raw honey.
