Why won't my honey crystallize?

[Jonnyl]

I've been trying to have a go at soft honey using the internet website etc. However even after putting in the fridge since June it's still not crystallizing. I've had it sent away to the 'lab' thing and it's 17.2 so it's proper stuff, or so I believe. What am I doing wrong? Thank as ever.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What exactly have you done with it?

I've had it sent away to the 'lab' thing and it's 17.2 so it's proper stuff, or so I believe.

Is it your own honey?

 

[Karol]

Is your fridge working properly and is the honey in air tight containers?

 

[Ian123]

Some honeys take an age, have you mixed in a seed honey. If it’s not osr you’ll want to add a seed starter.

 

[enrico]

Some honey will never crystalise. Lime, fuschia just to mention a couple. Others will go in a week, per and dandelion for example. Each honey is different. Try a spring honey, it is more likely to crystalise than summer honey.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Some honey will never crystalise. Lime, fuschia just to mention a couple. Others will go in a week, per and dandelion for example. Each honey is different. Try a spring honey, it is more likely to crystalise than summer honey.

Will any honey if seeded?

 

[drex]

For the first time ever I had no OSR near me this year. The Spring crop was a gorgeous colour, crystal clear and remained liquid in its bucket, so I jarred it up as runny honey. Even though I said to customers it is all I had, and I did not like to mess with my honey, a lot still insisted the wanted soft set.
I eventually gave in and seeded a bucket with soft set kept over from last year. It has slowly thickened, but after a couple of months it has still not set properly, even after putting some in the fridge.
I guess it is due to the balance of sugars in the original runny honey. I know it will set eventually. I intend to set some of my Autumn crop now.

 

[ericbeaumont]

I've had it sent away to the 'lab' thing and it's 17.2

Cheaper to buy a refractometer.

 

[enrico]

Will any honey if seeded?

Not usually, it will split with the honey that can crystalise at the bottom of the jar and the runny honey at the top. Doesn't look good!

 

[enrico]

Cheaper to buy a refractometer.

Now I am confused, how would that help

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Now I am confused, how would that help

By not spending a fortune sending honey away to be tested for something as basic as water content.

I've had it sent away to the 'lab' thing

 

[Jonnyl]

What exactly have you done with it?



Is it your own honey?

Yes, I've done all the normal things in extraction and straining. It tastes grand but it just won't set.

 

[Jonnyl]

Is your fridge working properly and is the honey in air tight containers?

Fridge is a year old and works perfectly. It's a pound of honey in a food grade plastic container with a seal and it clips round the edges.

 

[Jonnyl]

Some honeys take an age, have you mixed in a seed honey. If it’s not osr you’ll want to add a seed starter.

No, I wanted to use this as the seed. I watched you tube and it explained that you needed the honey to start to form Crystal's and then you can crush it in a pestle and mortar to form the seed and then add it to 9lbs of runny and take it from there. There was no OSR this year which actually I'm ok with as I've never dealt with OSR before.

 

[Jonnyl]

Some honey will never crystalise. Lime, fuschia just to mention a couple. Others will go in a week, per and dandelion for example. Each honey is different. Try a spring honey, it is more likely to crystalise than summer honey.

It us spring honey Enrico, I extracted it in mid June as I read that spring honey was more prone to crystallization. In Scotland the weather isn't great so it's the first spring honey I've had although I've only been a keeper for 4 years. That's why I thought I'd give creamed honey a go when I had the chance. Looks like I'm just going to have to by some shop made. Not ideal but needs must.

 

[Jonnyl]

Cheaper to buy a refractometer.

No it doesnt cost anything, they even supply the return envelope stamped. You just fill three plastic vials and put the date and area on the labels provided and send it back. It's a bit of a gimmick but a little bit of fun as eventually they send the results of what the honey consists of in terms of forage.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Fridge is too cold - you want to maintain its temperature at around 12 to 14°C

 

[Jonnyl]

By not spending a fortune sending honey away to be tested for something as basic as water content.

JBM. . I really value your knowledge and expertise but on this occasion I need to say that it doesnt cost me anything, just a little insight into what the bees forage on locally. They send you the water reading straight away but you need to wait a year before the full results are given. You simply request a pack online and it arrives a few days later and you pour some honey into 3 vials and pop it in the post. Just a bit of fun on my part. The water content isnt really my first interest, more to discover what they're foraging on. But it's nice to know that its pukka. I'm still very much feeling my way and it provides a little reassurance. I just wish it would set a little.

 

[Jonnyl]

Fridge is too cold - you want to maintain its temperature at around 12 to 14°C

The You Tube video suggested putting it in the fridge but your obviously correct as it's not happening. However the other 100lbs or so has been in the settling tank since June at room temp and hasn't set either. Although I suppose it will be around 18 at this time of year. I've filled two 30lb buckets and put them in my garage so maybe that might help. Thanks

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The You Tube video

Ah yes, that great oasis of truth and wisdom
It's obvious that the honey you have is of a type that is ever so slow to crystalise so your only option is to seed it.When I seed a batch (10% seed) it gets seeded at around 30-35°C, is quickly brought down to 13°C and is evident that it's setting within 24 hours