Up to what temperature it is possible to heat honey: advice and recommendations. Is it possible to heat honey and loses its useful properties?

Honey is a natural product that is extracted by bees from flower nectar. The substance is characterized by extremely rich chemical composition. 95% of bee honey consists of carbohydrates, which are excellently absorbed by the body, without requiring any energy costs from it.

The product contains a large number of essential amino acids, microelements and vitamins for the human body. The most valuable varieties are those that were obtained from herbs. Today we will try to figure out to what temperature it is possible to heat honey.

Useful properties of honey

Perhaps, there is no such person who would not have heard about the medicinal and nutritional properties of honey. This product is used not only for food. People have learned on its basis to produce effective means for caring for hair and skin. A unique composition of the product of beekeeping allows you to heal many diseases. The drug is used to combat inflammation, allergies, to strengthen immunity, improve blood quality, improve performance.

There are a huge number of recipes that provide for the use of honey in a warm, melted state. It is quite logical that many of us are asking questions: is it possible to heat honey and whether it loses useful properties?

Why heat honey?

A hot bee product is often used for cosmetic procedures. Liquid honey easily mixes with other ingredients and is perfectly applied to the skin and hair. Specialists note that the crystallized product is not necessarily combined with other components of the recipe. The remaining large particles are hard and can injure the skin.

Healing compounds, which are so abundant in folk medicine, also provide for the use of honey in a warm form. Another case when the candied nectar needs to melt is packaging it in containers for further storage or sale. Therefore, the question of what temperature it is possible to heat honey is very relevant.

The influence of heat treatment on the quality of honey

Now let's try to figure out what happens to a valuable product when heated. There is an opinion that honey can not be melted to too high a temperature.

The temperature is +40 ˚C. Honey, having reached such a mark, to a small extent, loses its nutritional and healing properties. If the product is heated above +40 ˚C, only sweet syrup will turn out of the useful substance. The liquid will contain glucose and fructose in abundance, but no more. In addition, honey will become darker than it was originally, and also lose its unrivaled aroma. The quality of the nectar product will be worse the faster and longer it is subjected to heat treatment.

The temperature is +45 ˚C. Starting with this mark, the composition of honey instantly changes. The product loses its nutritional and energy value, there is a rapid destruction of enzymes. This should be remembered for those who like to add honey to very hot milk or tea. Experts recommend using sweetness separately from drinks.

Carcinogenic action of honey

The temperature is + 60 ° C. The effect of heating on honey at this point is extremely negative. Some experts say that the product heated up to +60 ˚C and higher has carcinogenic properties. A large amount of oxymethylfurfural is formed from the saccharides, which is an intermediate toxic product. It is the concentration of this substance that determines the shelf life of the beekeeping product.

If you eat such honey, it can lead to poisoning. Long-term use of the product even in small doses can cause the formation and development of the tumor. Thus, the question of the appropriateness of boiling honey completely disappears. Experts advise to use and store honey in its usual state, without heating without special need.

Scientists on heat treatment of honey

Disputes over the question of the temperature to which honey can be heated do not subside in scientific circles. According to some researchers, honey can not be heated above +20 ° C. At a temperature of +3 ˚C, the loss of vitamins is observed. At +50 ˚C honey loses its bactericidal properties and unique aroma, experts say.

The temperature of +60 ° C carries a threat to the enzymes. At +80 ˚C, according to experts, honey is destroyed in sugar and oxymethylfurfural is formed. Prolonged heating of the bee products, scientists believe, leads to a complete loss of antimicrobial properties. Such undesirable changes are exposed to honey when heated. Honey and bees are one of the topics that deserve careful study.

Tips and advice on heating honey

Now we know whether it is possible to heat honey and to what temperature. Now consider the ways that you can use for this.

Microwave. Heats honey with this popular electric appliance easily and quickly. However, it is worth remembering to what temperature it is possible to heat honey. Dangerous, as we already know, the mark is +40 ˚C. By heating the healing nectar in a microwave oven, you run the risk of depriving it of all the medicinal properties. It will heat up unevenly and will most likely turn into a common mixture of glucose and fructose. If you still chose this method, then melted honey should be in the "Defrost" mode, starting from 30 seconds. Let it 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 stirred. Carry out the manipulation until the substance is completely liquid. Now we know to what temperature it is possible to heat honey in a microwave oven.

Water bath. To what temperature can honey be heated using this method? Now we'll figure it out. Note that this method is considered optimal for heating honey. It is not only simple, but also safe for the product of beekeeping. It is necessary to take a wide container and fill it with water. Put some cloth on the bottom. In the container put a vessel with honey. It should be covered with liquid by 1/3. Now put the container on the plate and bring the water to a temperature of +40 ˚C. Then put the oven on a minimum mark and periodically stir the product. This is how the uniform, slow and safe heating of honey is achieved. Beekeepers recommend using a culinary thermometer during the process. It will allow you to control the degree of heating.

Heated by the battery. This method is the best. A honey jar needs to be placed from a hot battery at a distance of 10 to 40 cm. The method is very slow, but it helps to preserve the useful qualities of the product.

So, now we know whether it is possible to heat honey. Tips and tricks will help you avoid 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, it is necessary to find out under what conditions a medicinal product should be stored 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 a container made of food plastic. The dishes are best to choose opaque, dark. Tanks should be tightly closed with a plastic or iron lid, which will not allow air and moisture to pass through.

It should be remembered that the product perfectly absorbs all extraneous odors. Jars before use should be washed with water with the addition of soda, dried and ventilated. A very long time to store honey can not, because over time, it loses all useful substances.

How can you store honey?

Experts are convinced that it is better to avoid storing honey in a place that is too warm and especially under direct sunlight. The optimum 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, storage of honey in the refrigerator is a gross error. If you follow the recommendations, honey can be kept for up to three years, without worrying that it will lose its qualities.