HONEY AT THE RESCUE & IT KEEPS WELL From: Geri Guidetti From: Duane Miles Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 11:51:00 -0700 What to do you mean "break down?" We have honey we have stored for five years or more that has crystallized, but all you need to do is heat it gently and it will liquify again. It is still edible, in fact, I sometimes prefer some with some crystallization to put on toast. I think that edible honey has been found in the Egyptian tombs. I don't understand exactly what you mean when you say it doesn't store well. From: sbutler@boi.hp.com (Sylvan Butler) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Eureka:Honey Date: 23 Jul 1996 19:22:39 GMT Really? My experience has been exactly opposite. Unless the honey is contaminated (such as with water), in an airtight container it should store for years. I've often eaten honey that was 2-5 yrs old. It will usually crystalize (turning white, perhaps to a creamy consistency but most usually to a very hard solid). This can be used as is or melted over very low heat (you don't want to cook the honey, just melt it). I usually melt it by putting the container in a pan of water (creating something like a double-boiler) on the stove over the lowest heat possible. Leave it like this for a day or two. If the water is too warm to hold your hand in, it is too hot. If you heat the honey too hot it changes the flavor a bit (usually stronger) and will often crystalize faster the next time, but it is still edible.