How to Store Honey?

[Cataboo]

I'm lazy and do put honey in the microwave. Take off the lid and just put it in for 15-30 seconds. It's usually enough to liquefy enough on the top to use it for my cup of tea.

[OakLeaf]

I'll put a glass jar in the microwave sometimes. Zap for a few seconds, stir, repeat - helps liquefy it a little more evenly.

But even doing that, some of it will get pretty hot and destroy any enzymes, vitamins, etc. So mostly I'll use the crystallized honey as is, unless it's rock hard. Really, it's easier to use when it's a little bit crystallized - sticks better to the knife and whatever I'm spreading it on; comes out of a measuring cup easier if it's a recipe.

No use paying good money for raw honey if I'm going to be cooking it.

[MomOnBike]

Some bee keepers offer some expensive honey that they have seeded with special crystals to make a pre-crystalized honey. It's quite good.

My grandmother preferred the crystalized, or sugared, honey. I do to. It stays on the cracker better, not running off the sides.

As for melting the crystals, you can put the honey in the car on a sunny day. That always seems to work just fine with expensive pre-crystalized honey.

I also put the last of the honey jar on top of the pilot light on the stove top. It works just fine, though it takes a while.

[Bike Writer]

Honey is the only known foodstuff that has an indefinite shelf life, never spoils.

Food trivia update from a former restaurateur. Everyone else has given the best way to uncrystalize honey.

[GLC1968]

I just scoop it out crystalized (unless it's hard as a rock and that rarely happens). You can nuke it in a separate bowl if you need it liquid for a recipe or something, but for just eating, I agree with the others that it's delicious in crystaline form!

We have big 5 gallon buckets full of honey in our basement that we have to move to the warmest room in the house in order to pour it. Leaving it on the deck in the summer sun works great too.

[Pax]

... We have big 5 gallon buckets full of honey in our basement that we have to move to the warmest room in the house in order to pour it. Leaving it on the deck in the summer sun works great too.

Just curious, I love honey as much as the next gal but can't imagine what I'd do with 5 gallon buckets of the stuff! What do you do with all that honey?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When you keep bees it's not that unusual to have a 5 gallon bucket of honey. A strong healthy hive can give 30-80 lbs of honey or more in a year, over and above what they need to keep for the winter. I'm hoping to get me a nice load summer.
What do you do with it?- eat it, sell it, give it to your family and friends, holiday/birthday gifts....it doesn't ever go bad and you can just warm it gently to reliquify it if it crystallizes.