Honey is a powerhouse ingredient for internal and external usage.  As a staple in kitchens across the globe and easily accessible in grocery stores, here are two ways to spruce up your honey and add a little pizazz to your taste buds!

Infused Honey

Infused honey of course is a SIIKA specialty!  Most honey’s are infused with extracts like vanilla or orange.  And sure they taste good, but I prefer infusing honey with actual herbs and spices.  Honey infused with real herbs and spices are so special because they combine the nutritional benefits of honey with that of the herb(s) of choice.

Popular choices for infused honey are Rosemary honey and Lavender honey.

 

 

Creamed Honey

Creamed honey, also known as whipped honey, is honey mixed or whipped into a creamy, spreadable texture. 

One of the characteristics of raw honey is that over time it will crystalize.   Some raw honey will crystalize quickly and some won’t crystalize for a year or more. The difference in time it takes to crystallize depends on the honey’s filtering process, or lack thereof, as well as the temperatures it has been exposed to before and after it is harvested.

How to Decrystallize Honey

As raw honey begins to crystallize it gets a gritty texture.   You can decrystallize the honey by placing honey in a glass container, and setting the honey in very warm water (make sure its not boiling to maintain the beneficial properties of the honey.)  The honey crystals will gradually begin to melt.

OR

You can make creamed honey! In fact, the secret to creamed honey or whipped honey is using honey that has already begun to crystallize.  By breaking up the large crystals, raw honey is turned into creamed honey.  Its basically magic, in the sweetest most delightful way!

To do this, you must use raw unpasteurized honey.  Using pasteurized honey will leave you with a runny mess!

 

What's the difference between creamed honey and regular honey?

The only difference between creamed honey and regular honey is texture. Despite being called, “creamed honey” or “whipped honey”, there is in fact no milk, cream, or dairy added.

To make creamed honey you just use a mixer or blender to break up the crystals. You mix the honey for about 15-20 minutes.  Mixing that long will cause the blender to gently heat up and turn the crystals into cream.  For that reason it is recommended that you use a blender/mixer of fairly good quality so that it does not overheat.

So, let’s turn some delicious crystallized honey into delicious creamed honey!

How to Make Creamed Honey

For this recipe we just use honey that has already begun to crystallize, and honey that has not yet begun to crystallize (let’s just call this liquid honey).

Materials

Stand Mixer (can use either the whisk or paddle attachment). 

Note: The below recipe uses a stand mixer, but you may also use a high powered blender with paddle attachment.  When using a high powered blender, mixing times will likely decrease, so I recommend checking for consistency every 3-5 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup crystalized raw honey
• 1 cup liquid raw honey

Directions

1. Place crystalized honey into the mixer and mix on medium speed.
2. Gradually add liquid honey until get the desired amount. if you want to make a larger amount of creamed honey.
3. Mix the honey for 20 minutes. Honey will start to lighten and turn to a creamy color and consistency.
4. Turn off mixer and cover with a clean paper towel or kitchen towel.
5. Let the honey mixture cool at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 two to three times.
7. Remove creamed honey from mixer and add to a clean, dry class jar.

 

How to store creamed honey

Place the creamed honey in a clean, dry jar for storage.  Store the creamed honey in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. After two weeks you can store it at room temperature, but it may begin to sperate if the home is warm.  If separation occurs, hand stir or gently mix to a creamy consistency again and place in refrigerator.

Since creamed honey is raw honey mixed, with no additives, it can last for years.  However, just like raw honey, do your best to keep from getting moisture into the jar.

How to use creamed honey

Add creamed honey to iced coffee or Chai tea for a enticing spin on these beverages.  Creamed honey is also absolutely delectable as a topping on toast, waffles, bagels or desserts!

For a little extra umph, add fruit or ground and crushed nuts.  ENJOY!