I am often asked if it is true that you should never use metal spoons with honey. There’s a widespread belief that honey should never come into contact with metal. Some people are even insisting that only wooden utensils should be used. But where does this idea come from, and is there any truth to it?
Honey is Acidic
The notion that honey should not touch metal likely stems from honey’s acidic nature. Honey has an average pH of 3.9, ranging between 3.4 and 6.1, depending on its floral source. The thought is that this acidity could potentially react with certain metals, leading to contamination or a change in the honey’s quality. Over time, this belief has taken root or got wings (pardon the pun…) and lead to the commonly circulated ‘fact’ that you should never use metal spoons for honey. Wooden utensils—often praised for their natural and non-reactive qualities— are being touted as the ideal choice for handling honey instead.
Hanna Bäckmo Hanna’s Bees with Raw Irish honey
Honey & Different Metals
But does metal truly pose a threat to your honey? To answer this, it’s important to consider the different types of metals. When it comes to reactive metals such as iron, copper, and non-stainless steel, prolonged contact with honey could potentially cause slight oxidation. This process might lead to a change in the colour or taste of the honey. However this would only occur after an extended period of contact. Copper, in particular, can react with the acids in honey, potentially producing harmful compounds over time. However, it’s worth noting that using a metal spoon to stir or serve honey is far from prolonged exposure. Any interaction is typically so brief that it doesn’t result in any noticeable reaction.
Lead, which was once used in older beekeeping equipment like extractors and storage tanks, posed a significant risk of contamination. Thankfully, lead has been phased out in modern beekeeping practices due to its toxicity. Nonetheless, it is important for beekeepers to be aware of this risk and not use very old equipment.
So it is true that prolonged exposure to metal can alter the colour and taste of honey. It is also true that this is not the case for brief exposure. But how about the benefits of honey: are they altered or destroyed when honey come into contact with metal? There is another common belief that metal destroys some of the beneficial enzymes in honey. Is there any truth in that?
Does Metal Destroy the Beneficial Enzymes in Honey?
Honey contains many enzymes including invertase, diastase, and glucose oxidase, which contribute to its unique properties and health benefits. These enzymes are relatively stable and are not easily destroyed by brief contact with metal. The real threat to enzyme activity comes from extreme conditions, such as high temperatures or prolonged exposure to strong acids or bases. Not from brief contact with metal processing equipment or metal utensils.
Metal Honey Processing Equipment
Most of the metal utensils commonly used today, especially in beekeeping and honey processing, are made of stainless steel—a material known for its non-reactive properties. Stainless steel is widely used in everything from uncapping forks and knives to extractors, settling tanks, and bottling equipment. The reason for this is simple: stainless steel doesn’t react with honey or alter its composition in any way. Honey comes into contact with stainless steel throughout its journey from hive to jar. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that using a stainless steel spoon in your kitchen will not impact negatively on the quality of the honey or its many health benefits.
In conclusion, while the assertion that honey should never touch metal is an interesting theory, it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The key takeaway is that as long as your utensils are clean and made of food-safe materials, your honey will remain perfectly delicious, safe and remain its many health properties.
So go ahead and enjoy your honey however you like! Whether you prefer to use a wooden spoon, a stainless steel spoon, or even a silver spoon, rest assured that your honey will be just as sweet and healthy as you hoped it would be!
Hanna Bäckmo
Hanna Bäckmo is an award-winning beekeeper, entrepreneur, hobby gardener and internationally published writer. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. Hanna is the founder of Hanna’s Bees, producing a unique range of natural and sustainable honey, propolis, and beeswax products sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores and select US outlets. With 70 colonies of Native Irish honeybees, she is a passionate bee-advocate and educator and is an Ambassador for the Native Irish Honeybee.
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Mad honey is a rare toxic honey made when bees forage on rhododendron nectar containing natural grayanotoxins. Found mainly in Turkey and Nepal, it can cause poisoning.
Is Crystallised Honey Safe to Eat? Yes! Not only is it safe to eat, it is often also much better than honey that remains liquid for months and even years and never crystallises.
BEE-SPLAINING: Is It True You Should Never Use Metal Spoons with Honey?
I am often asked if it is true that you should never use metal spoons with honey. There’s a widespread belief that honey should never come into contact with metal. Some people are even insisting that only wooden utensils should be used. But where does this idea come from, and is there any truth to it?
Honey is Acidic
The notion that honey should not touch metal likely stems from honey’s acidic nature. Honey has an average pH of 3.9, ranging between 3.4 and 6.1, depending on its floral source. The thought is that this acidity could potentially react with certain metals, leading to contamination or a change in the honey’s quality. Over time, this belief has taken root or got wings (pardon the pun…) and lead to the commonly circulated ‘fact’ that you should never use metal spoons for honey. Wooden utensils—often praised for their natural and non-reactive qualities— are being touted as the ideal choice for handling honey instead.
Honey & Different Metals
But does metal truly pose a threat to your honey? To answer this, it’s important to consider the different types of metals. When it comes to reactive metals such as iron, copper, and non-stainless steel, prolonged contact with honey could potentially cause slight oxidation. This process might lead to a change in the colour or taste of the honey. However this would only occur after an extended period of contact. Copper, in particular, can react with the acids in honey, potentially producing harmful compounds over time. However, it’s worth noting that using a metal spoon to stir or serve honey is far from prolonged exposure. Any interaction is typically so brief that it doesn’t result in any noticeable reaction.
Lead, which was once used in older beekeeping equipment like extractors and storage tanks, posed a significant risk of contamination. Thankfully, lead has been phased out in modern beekeeping practices due to its toxicity. Nonetheless, it is important for beekeepers to be aware of this risk and not use very old equipment.
So it is true that prolonged exposure to metal can alter the colour and taste of honey. It is also true that this is not the case for brief exposure. But how about the benefits of honey: are they altered or destroyed when honey come into contact with metal? There is another common belief that metal destroys some of the beneficial enzymes in honey. Is there any truth in that?
Does Metal Destroy the Beneficial Enzymes in Honey?
Honey contains many enzymes including invertase, diastase, and glucose oxidase, which contribute to its unique properties and health benefits. These enzymes are relatively stable and are not easily destroyed by brief contact with metal. The real threat to enzyme activity comes from extreme conditions, such as high temperatures or prolonged exposure to strong acids or bases. Not from brief contact with metal processing equipment or metal utensils.
Metal Honey Processing Equipment
Most of the metal utensils commonly used today, especially in beekeeping and honey processing, are made of stainless steel—a material known for its non-reactive properties. Stainless steel is widely used in everything from uncapping forks and knives to extractors, settling tanks, and bottling equipment. The reason for this is simple: stainless steel doesn’t react with honey or alter its composition in any way. Honey comes into contact with stainless steel throughout its journey from hive to jar. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that using a stainless steel spoon in your kitchen will not impact negatively on the quality of the honey or its many health benefits.
In conclusion, while the assertion that honey should never touch metal is an interesting theory, it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The key takeaway is that as long as your utensils are clean and made of food-safe materials, your honey will remain perfectly delicious, safe and remain its many health properties.
So go ahead and enjoy your honey however you like! Whether you prefer to use a wooden spoon, a stainless steel spoon, or even a silver spoon, rest assured that your honey will be just as sweet and healthy as you hoped it would be!
Hanna Bäckmo
Curious about the world of bees and honey? Join our newsletter to learn something new each week.
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Mad honey is a rare toxic honey made when bees forage on rhododendron nectar containing natural grayanotoxins. Found mainly in Turkey and Nepal, it can cause poisoning.
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Is Crystallised Honey Safe to Eat? Yes! Not only is it safe to eat, it is often also much better than honey that remains liquid for months and even years and never crystallises.