Known and appreciated for its sweetening power, honey is also renowned for its beneficial properties: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, healing and antioxidant. In addition to being an excellent alternative to sugar, it is full of enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Each type of honey, depending on the flowers collected, obviously has a unique flavor and specific virtues. But to take full advantage of its virtues, honey must absolutely be handled with care and, above all, with the right utensil.
Chemical reaction
Honey contains natural enzymes which are responsible for its many virtues. Prolonged contact of these enzymes with certain metals, including iron and other common alloys used in metal spoons, results in a chemical reaction that alters not only the composition of honey, but also its nutritional and medicinal properties.
The taste
In addition to the enzymes potentially being damaged, the reaction between the metal and the honey can affect the taste of the product. If a metal spoon is left in a jar of honey, residue will mix with the honey, possibly giving a metallic aftertaste. Although this change is subtle, it is enough to alter your tasting, especially for those who are attentive to the delicate aromas of different types of honey.
Preserving honey
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, honey is a product with a long shelf life. Leaving a metal spoon in the jar speeds up the oxidation process of the honey, causing it to degrade more quickly, thus affecting its quality in the long term. Obviously, these reactions only occur during prolonged contact with the metal. So don’t worry if you have once used a metal spoon.
The right solutions: wooden, plastic or ceramic spoon
To preserve the quality of the honey, it is therefore better to use spoons made from inert materials such as wood, plastic or ceramic. These materials do not interact with the acidic components of honey, which guarantees intact properties, both in terms of composition and taste.
Traditionally used, wooden spoons are ideal for handling honey. Wood is a porous material that allows the honey to stick well to the spoon, making it easier to use without waste. The traditional wooden honey spoon, designed with specific grooves, is ideal because it allows you to capture the honey and serve it easily without it dripping. Plastic or ceramic spoons are also good options for serving honey, as they do not interact with the quality of the product. In addition, they are easy to clean.
