I went to get something from my storecupboard this morning and found a whole shelf was covered in sticky stuff. At first I thought I'd knocked over an opened jar of honey and it had leaked. But I quickly discovered that it was my unopened jars leaking. I wondered if the recent high temperatures had made the honey expand in some way but a quick google revealed that my honey had started to ferment!!😲
I had to search a few beekeeping sites for information. I knew the beekeeper that produced the honey was a very experienced guy so the processing wasn't an issue. Was it the prolonged hot spell?? A quick taste showed it hadn't fermented too much so I decided to use it up by making some elderberry syrup. I'd been planning to do it soon any way. Recipe HERE
And I started a batch of Fire Cider too. Instructions HERE from an old forum friend. I was really pleased to be able to use my own home grown garlic, rosemary and thyme 😊
From past experience I know the syrup helps soothe my throat in Winter (occupational hazard when you talk all day for a living!) and the Fire Cider helps fight off the nasty cold bugs. When we returned to school last year, a yucky cold bug swept the school as everyone's immune system was weak.
I'm just trying to plan ahead!!
I thought fermentation took place when the moisture content of the honey was too high, either taken too soon, or introduced after/during processing. I loved my shortish foray into beekeeping and learned a lot, sadly no room here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read that. Mostly inexperienced beekeepers taking it too soon/uncapped. My source has kept bees for over 40 years so I was thinking that or the added moisture unlikely. But I guess you never know.
DeleteI blame Rees-Mogg.
DeleteI quite often find my honey solidifies but, not knowing about fermentation, I have continued to use it with no side effects.
ReplyDeleteYep honey normally solidifies here. So does coconut oil. You practically need a hammer and chisel to get any out the jars!!
DeleteVery clever! It all sounds delicious.
ReplyDeletexx
Delicious and good for you too! xxx
DeleteI didn't know honey could ferment or leak from a jar while alone in the cupboard!! I suspect the high temperatures recently probably didn't help. I found my jar of coconut oil was pretty runny when I went to use it recently for soap making and normally its solid in the jar. It's nice when these 'accidents' lead to getting something good done though! Enjoy. x
ReplyDeleteI didn't know either! My coconut oil is soft and easily scoopable, LOL! xxx
DeleteWow, I didn't know honey can do that! I knew that it depends on flowers bees visit if honey solidifies or not (and here in north all flowers make solid honey...)
ReplyDeleteYep, I learned something new. Still edible but really interesting to see what a natural product does :-)
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