Honey Crystals

Pure, raw honey is a totally different experience than the stuff you find at the supermarket. Store-bought honey is often adulterated (mixed with corn syrup) or at the very least, heated and filtered multiple times. Big brands typically heat honey and run it through a diatomaceous earth filter, which removes the pollen and makes the honey look crystal-clear—but also strips it of many natural benefits and slows down crystallization.

Honey from a local beekeeper—like mine—is never heated or

filtered. Once I pull the honey frames from the hive (you can actually see this in action if you join me as a Beekeeper for a Day!), I pierce the capped honey and spin it out using an extractor. From there, I strain it through a sieve to catch larger bits—wax, bee legs, maybe the occasional bee—and store it in five-gallon buckets for bottling.

Crystallized honey is perfectly edible and delicious - you might prefer the texture for certain recipes!

Anna Bee’s Honey retains all the good stuff: pollen, vitamins, minerals, enzymes—and that rich, natural flavor and texture. Because I don’t heat or filter my honey, it’s 100% pure and will eventually crystallize. That’s totally normal! Crystallization happens when glucose separates from the water in honey (honey is a supersaturated sugar solution). The rate it crystallizes depends on the water content, which varies by hive and season.

Pure honey forms smooth, creamy crystals—unlike store honey, which often crystallizes into large, jagged chunks. Crystallized honey is still fresh and totally edible. In fact, I love it on toast or bagels because of the texture!

If you’d rather your honey be liquid again, just place the jar in warm water or a double boiler until it softens—gentle heat is best to preserve the flavor and health benefits. You can also microwave it in short, 10-second bursts (stirring between each), but be careful not to overdo it—too much heat can damage the honey’s natural goodness.

Honey doesn’t spoil—its acidity and antibacterial properties keep it naturally shelf-stable. While there's no expiration date, I think honey is best when enjoyed regularly. Don’t let it sit—savor a spoonful every day and soak up all the benefits of truly raw, unfiltered, unheated honey!