Soft Set Honey: A Delicious Symphony of Creamed, Seed, Runny, and Delicious Honey

Introducing our British Soft Set Honey, a delightful new addition to the HoneyBee & co family. This exquisite honey is proudly produced in the heart of the Midlands, a region renowned for its lush landscapes, fertile soils, and diverse flora.

Our British Soft Set Honey is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the region. The honey is derived from the nectar of a variety of local flowers, each contributing to its unique flavour profile. From the delicate sweetness of springtime bluebells to the robust richness of summer wildflowers, every spoonful captures the essence of the Midlands' changing seasons.

The honey is processed using a method known as 'controlled crystallization', resulting in a soft set of honey crystals that boasts a smooth, creamy texture. This makes it perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into yoghurt, or simply enjoying straight from the jar. Despite its soft, buttery consistency, it retains all the natural sweetness and floral notes of traditional honey.

Our bees are lovingly tended to by experienced beekeepers who are passionate about preserving the natural beauty of the Midlands. They ensure that the bees are healthy and that their hives are sustainably managed, resulting in a product that is as ethical as it is delicious.

When you purchase our Midlands Blossom Soft Set Honey, you're not just getting a jar of honey. You're getting a taste of the British Midlands, with its vibrant landscapes and diverse flora. You're supporting local bee populations and sustainable farming practices. And most importantly, you're choosing a product that has been made with care, passion, and respect for nature.

Experience the taste of spring in the Midlands with HoneyBee & co's British Soft Set Honey. It's more than just honey - it's a celebration of the British countryside in every jar.

What is Soft Set Honey?

Soft set honey, also known as creamed honey, is a type of honey that has been processed in a specific way to control crystallization. This results in a cream of honey that has a smooth, creamy texture and is easy to spread, similar to butter or margarine.

Honey naturally contains glucose and fructose. Over time, the glucose in honey can spontaneously crystallize, leading to a coarse, grainy texture. This is a natural process and does not affect the quality or taste of the honey. However, some people prefer the smooth texture of soft-set honey.

To make soft set honey, beekeepers use a process called "controlled crystallization". This involves heating the honey to dissolve any existing glucose crystals, then adding a small amount of "seed" honey that contains fine glucose crystals. The honey is then cooled slowly, allowing the glucose to crystallize in a controlled manner. The result is honey with very fine crystals, giving it a smooth, creamy texture.

Soft set honey is perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into yoghurt, or using in any recipe where you want smooth, spreadable honey. It has the same sweet, floral flavour as regular honey, but with a unique texture that many people enjoy.

What is the meaning of a soft set?

The term "soft set" is often used in cooking and food preparation to describe a consistency that is firm yet still soft to the touch. It is typically used in the context of items like jellies, jams, custards, or honey, as you mentioned earlier.

For example, when making jam, a "soft set" refers to a jam that is not as firm as a traditional jam. It will still hold its shape, but it will be softer and spread more easily.

In the context of making soft set honey, it refers to the controlled crystallization process that results in a honey that is firm enough to hold its shape, but soft enough to spread easily. The honey is not liquid, but it's not hard either - it's somewhere in between, hence the term "soft set".

Which is better set or runny honey?

The choice between set (or soft set) honey and runny honey is largely a matter of personal preference, as both types have their own unique characteristics and uses. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Texture: Set honey has a smooth, creamy texture that's easy to spread, making it a lovely choice for toast, sandwiches, or any other dish where you want a spreadable sweetener. Runny honey, on the other hand, is liquid and pours easily, which can be preferable for drizzling over desserts, mixing into drinks, or using in certain recipes.
2. Flavour: Both set and runny honey have the same sweet, floral flavour, although some people find that the creamy texture of set honey enhances the flavour slightly.
3. Crystallization: All honey will naturally crystallize over time, which can change its texture. Runny honey can become grainy as it crystallizes, while set honey is already crystallized in a controlled way to create a smooth texture. If you don't like the texture of crystallized honey, you might prefer set honey.
4. Storage: Regular honey can ferment if it's not stored properly, while the crystallization process makes set honey more stable and gives it a longer shelf life.
5. Versatility: Both types of honey can be used in a variety of ways, from sweetening tea or coffee to baking and cooking. The best type to use will depend on what you're making.

In conclusion, neither type of honey is inherently "better" than the other. It all depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use all the honey together.

At HoneyBee & co, we take pride in our cold-extracted local honey, a product that truly embodies the essence of our region's rich biodiversity. Cold extraction is a meticulous process that ensures the honey is as close to its natural state as possible, preserving all the beneficial enzymes, pollen, aromatic compounds, and other natural elements that give honey its unique flavour and health benefits.

This method allows us to capture the distinct flavours and aromas of the local flowers from which the nectar is sourced, resulting in a honey that is not only delicious but also a true reflection of our local environment. When you choose our cold-extracted local honey, you're choosing a product that is pure, natural, and brimming with the tastes and textures of our beautiful region.

What are the properties of a Soft Set Honey?

Soft set honey, also known as creamed honey, has several distinct properties that set it apart from other forms of honey:

1. Texture: The most noticeable property of soft set honey is its lovely texture. It has a smooth, creamy consistency that is easy to spread. This is due to the controlled crystallization process, which results in fine, uniform crystals.
2. Colour: Soft set honey is often lighter in colour than liquid honey. The crystallization process can give it a pale, almost white colour, although the exact shade can vary depending on the type of honey used.
3. Taste: The taste of soft set honey is the same as that of the original liquid honey. However, some people report that the creamed honey texture enhances the honey's natural flavours.

   

4. Stability: Soft-set honey is very stable and has a long shelf life. The crystallization process prevents fermentation, a common problem with liquid honey.
5. Temperature Sensitivity: Soft-set honey is sensitive to temperature. If it is stored in a warm environment, it can return to its liquid state. Conversely, if it is stored in a very cold environment, it can become too hard. It is best stored at room temperature.
6. Spreadability: One of the main advantages of soft-set honey is its spreadability. It can be easily spread on bread or other foods without dripping or making a mess with the jar.
7. Versatility: Soft set honey can be used in the same ways as liquid honey. It is great for sweetening tea or coffee, baking, cooking, or simply eating with a spoonful. However, its unique texture makes it particularly good for spreading on toast or stirring into yoghurt or oatmeal.