Hot honey is a delicious addition to any food lover’s pantry, but with any food product, especially one combining natural ingredients like honey and chilli, questions about health and safety can arise. Is it safe for everyone? How should you store it? What do you need to know about allergens? We believe that enjoying food to its fullest comes with understanding it better. So, let’s clear up the common concerns and give you the confidence to enjoy every last drop.
Your Guide to Hot Honey Safety
Honey Safety: The Botulism Risk for Infants
This is one of the most important safety points for any honey product, whether it's hot or not. Raw honey can contain spores of a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. While these spores are harmless to adults and children over one year old, an infant's developing digestive system can't fight them off. This can lead to a rare but serious illness called infant botulism.
For this reason, no honey of any kind should ever be given to children under 12 months of age. This is a standard food safety guideline supported by the NHS and food authorities worldwide. All our labelling for Harry's Hot Honey includes this crucial warning. For everyone else, honey is a perfectly safe and delightful food.
Chilli and Capsaicin: Understanding Tolerances
The "heat" in hot honey comes from capsaicin, the compound in chillies. The sensation of heat is subjective and tolerance varies widely from person to person. For most people, the capsaicin levels in a well-balanced hot honey like ours provide a pleasant, warming buzz rather than overwhelming pain.
If you are particularly sensitive to spicy foods, it's always best to start with a small amount. If you have a pre-existing medical condition like gastritis or IBS, you may find that spicy foods can be a trigger, so it's wise to exercise caution. Our goal at Harry’s Hot Honey isn't to create the spiciest product on the market, but the most flavourful one, with a heat that complements the sweetness.
Allergen Information and Cross-Reactions
Honey itself is not a common allergen. However, it can sometimes contain traces of pollen from the plants the bees visited. Individuals with severe pollen allergies may, in rare cases, have a reaction.
The chilli component is also generally low-risk for allergies. True chilli allergies are uncommon, but they do exist. At Harry's Hot Honey, we are meticulous about our production processes to prevent cross-contamination with common allergens like nuts, dairy, or gluten. Our ingredient list is simple and clear: pure honey and chillies. We always recommend checking the label if you have any specific food allergies.
Safe Storage for Peak Quality
Proper storage is key to maintaining the safety and quality of your hot honey. Honey is a natural preservative due to its low water content and high acidity. To keep it at its best, store it in a cool, dark place like a kitchen cupboard. Ensure the lid is screwed on tightly to prevent moisture from getting in and to protect it from ants or other pests.
You should avoid storing it in direct sunlight or near a heat source like an oven, as prolonged exposure to heat can degrade the flavour and darken the honey over time. There's no need to refrigerate it; in fact, refrigeration will speed up the natural process of crystallisation.
The Importance of Lab Testing and Quality Control
As a responsible food producer, we take safety and quality very seriously. Every batch of honey we source and every product we create undergoes rigorous quality control. This includes lab testing to ensure its purity and safety. We test for things like microbiological contaminants to ensure the product is safe for consumption and HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural), a compound that can indicate if honey has been overheated or is old. These tests guarantee that every jar of Harry’s Hot Honey that leaves our facility is of the highest standard.
Regulatory Compliance in the UK & EU
Food production in the UK is governed by strict regulations to protect consumers. Harry’s Hot Honey fully complies with all relevant standards from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This includes accurate ingredient labelling, clear allergen information, and adhering to traceability requirements, which allow us to track every ingredient from its source to the final jar. We operate with full transparency to ensure you can trust the product in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
My hot honey has crystallised. Has it gone bad?
Not at all! Crystallisation is a completely natural process for raw, unadulterated honey. It's actually a sign of high quality. To return it to its liquid state, simply place the jar in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water for a few minutes and stir gently.
How spicy is your hot honey?
We aim for a pleasant, medium heat that builds slowly and complements the honey's sweetness. It's designed to add a beautiful warmth and depth of flavour to dishes without being overpowering.
Is Harry's Hot Honey suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, our hot honey is 100% vegetarian.
Can I cook with hot honey?
Absolutely! It’s fantastic used as a glaze for meats and vegetables, stirred into sauces, or baked into cakes. Just be aware that very high heat can slightly diminish the delicate floral notes of the honey, so it's often best added towards the end of cooking or used as a finishing drizzle.
Drizzle with Confidence
Understanding the health and safety aspects of hot honey ensures you can enjoy it with complete peace of mind. From respecting the age-old rule about honey for infants to storing your jar correctly, these simple practices guarantee a safe and delicious experience. We take pride in our rigorous standards because we love this product as much as you do.
Ready to add a safe and delicious kick to your meals? Shop the Harry's Hot Honey collection now.