2.10 Moisture Content of Honey

Question 1

Hygroscopicity

Answer 1

Absorbs moisture content from the air
The strongly hygroscopic character of honey is important both in processing and final use.
The tendency to absorb and hold moisture is often desired in end-products containing honey such as
pastry and bread.
During processing or storage however, the same hygroscopicity can cause problems; excessive water content makes preservation and storage difficult.

Question 2

Moisture + water insoluble

Answer 2

Not more than 20% except bakers (23%), calluna (23%) and bakers from calluna (25%)
Water insoluble
all honey except pressed < 0.1g/100g
pressed honey <0.5g/100

Question 3

Methods of determining the moisture content of honey;

Answer 3

1. Is it capped? Bees cap honey when its water content <20%
2. Shake a frame of uncapped or partly capped honey over the hive
3. Measure with a honey refractometer
4. Measure with a hydrometer
   If honey comb (of non-heather honey) is sealed the water content is within the range 17-20%.

Question 4

Shake Test

Answer 4

Shake an inverted frame of partly capped honey over the hive.
If you can’t shake any nectar out then the honey is ripe enough to harvest.

Question 5

Honey Refractometer

Answer 5

To use it:
o Smear a small sample of honey on the test window and hold the refractometer up to the light.
o Take the reading through the eyepiece; it is given directly as percentage water content.
Precautions
o Instrument must be calibrated (read instructions)
o Readings depend on temperature, so calibrate at ambient temperature or use device with automatic temperature compensation
o Honey must be well mixed before the sample is extracted for measurement. Honey at the top of a large container can contain more water than that beneath.

Easy to use, accurate, small sample required/cost of purchase

Question 6

Hydrometer (Specific Gravity)

Answer 6

Not commonly used for honey measurement. Use for honey requires a hydrometer with a suitable scale.
Precautions:
Honey temperature must correspond to calibration temperature of hydrometer (or correction made to measurement)
Measurement could be performed in main storage container (provided scale is visible), No calibration required/Large sample required, Honey must be well mixed, clear with no granulation, and free of debris, Not easy to get an accurate reading - need to use look-up table

Question 7

Specific Gravity (or relative density)

Answer 7

It is convenient to express density as Specific Gravity (a.k.a. Relative Density)
The Specific Gravity of a liquid is a dimensionless unit defined as the ratio of density of the liquid to the density of water at a specified temperature. As the basis it is common to use the density of water at 4°C, the temperature at which it has its highest density (1000 kg/m3).
The Specific Gravity of honey depends on its water content.
As a result of this effect honey in large storage tanks sometimes stratifies into layers; honey with a high water content settles above honey with a lower water content.
Thorough mixing overcomes such inconvenient separation.