Honey is a natural product that bees extract from flower nectar. The substance is distinguished by an extremely rich chemical composition. For 95%, bee honey consists of carbohydrates, which are perfectly absorbed by the body, without requiring any energy costs from it.
The product contains a large amount of amino acids, microelements and vitamins, essential for the human body. The most valuable varieties are those that were obtained from herbs. Today we’ll try to figure out to what temperature honey can be heated.
Useful properties of honey
Perhaps there is no such person who would not hear about the healing and nutritional properties of honey. This product is not only used in food. People learned on its basis to produce effective hair and skin care products. The unique composition of the beekeeping product allows you to heal many diseases. The tool is used to fight inflammation, allergies, to strengthen the immune system, improve blood quality, increase efficiency.
There are a huge number of recipes for the use of honey in a warm, melted state. It is logical that many of us ask questions: is it possible to heat honey and does it lose its beneficial properties?
Why reheat honey?
A heated beekeeping product is often used for cosmetic procedures. Liquid honey is easily mixed with other ingredients and is excellently applied to the skin and hair. Experts note that the crystallized product to the necessary extent does not combine with other components of the recipe. The remaining large particles are stiff and can injure the skin.
The healing compounds, which are so abundant in traditional medicine, also provide for the use of honey in its warm form. Another case where candied nectar needs to be melted is to pack it in containers for further storage or sale. Therefore, the question of to what temperature honey can be heated is very relevant.
The effect of heat treatment on the quality of honey
Now let's try to figure out what happens to a valuable product when heated. It is believed that honey should not be melted to too high a temperature.
Temperature +40 ˚C. Honey, having reached such a mark, to a small extent loses its nutritional and healing properties. If you warm the product above +40 ˚C, then from the useful substance you will get only a sweet syrup. The fluid will abundantly contain glucose and fructose, but nothing more. In addition, honey will become darker than it was originally, and will also lose its unsurpassed aroma. The quality of the nectar product will be worse, the faster and longer it is subjected to heat treatment.
Temperature +45 ˚C. Starting from this point, the composition of honey instantly changes. The product loses its nutritional and energy value, and enzymes are rapidly destroyed. This should be remembered by those who like to add honey to very hot milk or tea. Experts recommend eating sweets separately from drinks.
Carcinogenic effect of honey
Temperature +60 ˚C. The effect of heating on honey at this point is extremely negative. Some experts claim that a product warmed up to +60 ˚C and higher has carcinogenic properties. A large amount of oxymethylfurfural, which is an intermediate toxic product, is formed from saccharides. The shelf life of the beekeeping product depends on the concentration of this substance.
If you eat such honey, it can lead to poisoning. Prolonged use of the product even in small doses can cause the formation and development of a tumor. Thus, the question of the appropriateness of boiling honey completely disappears. Experts advise to consume and store honey in its usual state, without heating without special need.
Scientists about heat treatment of honey
The debate about the temperature to which honey can be heated is not abated in scientific circles. According to some researchers, honey should never be heated above +20 ˚C. At a temperature of +3 ˚C, a loss of vitamins is observed by the product. At +50 ˚C, honey loses its bactericidal properties and unique aroma, experts say.
Temperature +60 ˚C is a threat to enzymes. At +80 ˚C, according to experts, sugar breaks down in honey and oxymethylfurfural is formed. Prolonged heating of the beekeeping product, scientists are convinced, leads to a complete loss of its antimicrobial properties. Such undesirable changes undergo honey when heated. Honey and bees are one of the topics that deserves careful study.
Tips and tricks for heating honey
Now we know whether it is possible to heat honey and to what temperature. Now consider the methods that can be used for this.
Microwave. Using this popular appliance, honey can be heated quickly and easily. However, it is worth remembering to what temperature honey can be heated. The dangerous mark, as we already know, is +40 ˚C. Heating the healing nectar in the microwave, you risk depriving it of all the healing properties. It will heat up unevenly and will most likely turn into a regular mixture of glucose and fructose. If you nevertheless chose this method, then you should melt the honey in the “Defrost” mode, starting from 30 seconds. It may take you more time, but the product will not lose useful enzymes. The heating interval should be 15-30 seconds, during which the honey should be vigorously mixed. It is necessary to carry out manipulation until the substance becomes completely liquid. Now we know at what temperature honey can be heated in the microwave.
Water bath. To what temperature can honey be heated using this method? Now let's figure it out. Note that this method is considered optimal for heating honey. It is not only simple, but also safe for the beekeeping product. It is necessary to take a wide container and fill it with water. At the bottom should be put some kind of fabric. Put a vessel with honey in a container. It should be 1/3 coated with liquid. Now put the container on the stove and bring the water to a temperature of +40 ˚C. Then put the oven at the minimum mark and stir the product periodically. This is how uniform, slow and safe honey heating is achieved. Beekeepers recommend using a cooking thermometer during the process. It will allow you to control the degree of heating.
Heated near the battery. This method is the best. The jar of honey needs to be supplied from a hot battery at a distance of 10 to 40 cm. The method is very slow, but allows you to maintain the useful qualities of the product.
So now we know if honey can be heated. Tips and tricks will prevent you from making the most common mistakes.
Optimum storage conditions for honey
Now that we know whether it is possible to heat honey and what happens in this case, we need to find out under what conditions to store the healing product so that it does not lose its beneficial properties. For long-term storage of honey, it is better to choose wooden, ceramic, enameled, glass containers or containers made of food-grade plastic. It is better to choose an opaque, dark dish. The containers should be tightly closed with a plastic or iron cover, which will not allow air and moisture to pass through.
It should be remembered that the product perfectly absorbs all foreign odors. Before use, wash the jars with water and soda, dry and ventilate. You can’t store honey for a very long time, because over time it loses all the beneficial substances.
How not to store honey?
Experts are convinced that it is better to avoid storing honey in a room that is too warm, and even more so in direct sunlight. The optimal condition is considered to be the air temperature from +14 ˚C to +28 ˚C. The structure of honey is affected not only by high, but also by low temperature. Under the influence of cold, the product begins to slowly thicken and lose its valuable properties. Therefore, storing honey in the refrigerator is a gross mistake. Subject to the recommendations, honey can be kept for up to three years without worrying that it will lose its qualities.