Honey is a very popular product, the demand for which is constantly increasing. Bee nectar contains many vitamins and minerals. It is easily digestible and helps cope with many diseases. However, valuable properties are characteristic exclusively of natural products. Today there are many ways to make fake honey, so people are interested in why honey becomes cloudy.
How honey becomes cloudy
The higher the glucose content in the composition, the faster the process of crystallization of the substance begins.Therefore, many people are sure that the cloudy product is a fake. If bee nectar immediately changes texture after purchase, this often indicates a change in storage temperature.
Today there are many ways to check the naturalness of honey. It is important to take into account honey plants, collection time, and storage features. Nectar that is stored at high temperatures will retain a liquid consistency for a long time. It will become thicker as the ambient temperature drops. However, sometimes the mass becomes cloudy right in the hive. This happens when the air temperature outside is low and there are a small number of bees.
When pumping out nectar using a centrifuge, the molecules interact with air and together penetrate into the device. This also creates a cloudy feeling. At the same time, honey can be pure from impurities and of high quality.
Can fresh honey be thick and opaque?
Fresh nectar can also be thick and opaque. This is due to the presence of sediment. It often includes small fragments of honeycomb, remains of insect bodies, and waxy impurities.
It is worth considering that even the purified product can be thick and opaque. This is due to the beginning of the crystallization process. Some varieties begin to become sugary after several years of storage, while others become viscous within 2 weeks after pumping.
Cloudy consistency is associated with late honey collection. This often occurs during adverse weather conditions. If a certain variety is not collected in time, the bees begin to add pollen from other plants to the honey mass. The result is a mixture of nectars. It is characterized by rapid crystallization.
Only unripened honey is considered dangerous.It has a short shelf life and poor composition. After some time, such a product begins to ferment. This process is accompanied by the formation of sediment and the appearance of a cloudy consistency.
The reason for the cloudiness of transparent honey
If, some time after purchase, clear honey becomes cloudy, do not think that it is fake. This sign often indicates the beginning of the thickening or crystallization process. This indicates the high quality of the product. Crystallization in no way affects the composition of honey. It can be used to strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of the body.
The acceleration of the sugaring process is facilitated by a change in temperature. The optimal parameters for honey are +13-15 degrees. At higher rates, the nectar will remain liquid for a long time. If lower parameters are observed, the substance will quickly become thick. Therefore, the honey will acquire a cloudy consistency.
At temperatures above +40 degrees, crystals are not produced in the substance, and glucose evaporates. As a result, the product loses its benefits. Moreover, the product can be harmful to humans. The fact is that excess fructose and minimal glucose often provoke severe allergies.
The cloudy texture of honey does not always indicate its low quality. It is often associated with honey crops and storage conditions. However, sometimes this texture indicates that the product is not fully ripe. You should avoid drinking such nectar.
