Frequently Asked Questions
Information about the operations and products of Howland's Honey!
How should honey be stored? It stays freshest stored in a cool, dry place. However, it can be stored at any temperature but it will change the consistency. Colder temperatures create a more firm product whereas warm places will create a softer product. Liquid honey will remain so up to 6 months.
How long will my honey last? Honey has an unlimited shelf life due to the sugar content and low PH. However, over time honey will undergo some natural changes, such as darkening, losing aroma and flavor, and it will crystallize. Even with these changes it is safe to consume.
What do the bees do for winter? The Honey Bee is not originally from Canada so it needs some help over winter. Our honey producing hives spend the winter outdoors, wrapped in an insulated covering to keep moisture out and heat in.
How should I soften my honey? If you don't need it right away, try placing the honey in a warm area in your home. If you need it right away, submerge the tub, with the lid on, in warm water. Be sure that the water does not reach the lid as you don't want it leaking in.
Your honey says it is unpasteurized, what does that mean? It means that our honey has not went through high heat while processing. This allows the natural nutritional properties to remain after it is processed.
How do the bees make honey? Bees make honey through a process that begins when they collect nectar from flowers. They store the nectar in their honey stomachs, where enzymes begin breaking it down into simpler sugars. Once back at the hive, bees regurgitate the nectar and pass it to other worker bees, who further digest it and then deposit it into hexagonal beeswax cells. To reduce the moisture content, bees fan the honey with their wings, facilitating evaporation.
