I. What causes gas and bubbles in honey?

Normally, pure honey is in a liquid, thick state with a characteristic golden color. The intensity of the color can vary depending on the type of flowers the honey comes from. When honey is stored in a suitable container at the right temperature, it should not have bubbles or gas.

Honey with gas and bubbles is a natural phenomenon and commonly occurs

However, if you pour honey into a cup or another container, you may notice bubbles forming on the surface or see gas bubbling up when you open the honey jar. This indicates that the honey has gas and bubbles.

Honey with gas is a basic sign of honey undergoing fermentation. Some tightly sealed honey jars may even explode when they undergo fermentation, causing plastic containers to swell or deform. Wild honey, in particular, is more likely to produce bubbles and gas compared to farmed honey. Moreover, in hot weather conditions, honey can undergo fermentation quickly if not stored in a cool area below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

II. The cause of gas and bubbles in honey

The main reason for the presence of gas and bubbles in honey is the presence of Osmophilic yeast in its composition. This type of yeast can thrive in environments with high sugar and salt concentrations.

The cause of gas and bubbles in honey

Honey contains about 70% sugar, including glucose and fructose, with glucose being more prevalent. When the yeast metabolizes glucose, it produces ethanol (alcohol) and generates CO2 gas. This CO2 gas is released and creates a phenomenon similar to carbonation in carbonated beverages.

Next, the ethanol undergoes a chemical reaction and transforms into acetic acid (vinegar) and water. In high-temperature conditions, this process is catalyzed, leading to a faster transformation of chemical substances in honey.

III. What causes honey to have gas and bubbles?

The presence of gas and bubbles in honey is a completely natural phenomenon, influenced by the following objective factors:

1. Honey containing pollen

With natural honey products harvested and sold directly by local people without industrial processing, honey may still contain pollen and beeswax, leading to the formation of gas bubbles. During the process of carrying nectar back to the hive to make honey, pollen, and bee particles adhere to the bees' proboscis, creating gas.

For industrially processed honey products, which undergo filtration to remove impurities such as pollen and other debris, it is less likely to have gas bubbles. However, it is crucial to buy honey products from reputable sources to ensure their authenticity and purity, especially when looking for wild honey.

The presence of pollen in honey is also a fundamental cause of fermentation

2. Hot weather conditions in summer

High temperatures are a primary factor that leads to honey fermentation and the formation of gas bubbles. In northern regions of the country, where temperatures can reach 39-40 degrees Celsius (102-104 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer, honey is more likely to have gas.

In hot temperatures, pollen in honey undergoes fermentation and produces gas. When this gas encounters a closed environment with changing pressure, it creates favorable conditions for the occurrence of gas bubbles.

Additionally, sudden weather changes that create a difference in pressure between the external environment and the honey can cause honey to bubble and even burst the jar.

3. Yeast content in honey

Yeast is the primary cause of gas bubbles in honey. The higher the yeast activity in honey, the faster the fermentation process and the more gas it produces.

 4. Flower source of the honey

The flower source from which bees collect nectar influences the formation of gas bubbles in honey

Each type of pollen has a different chemical structure with different nutrients, leading to slight variations in honey's properties. Consequently, the ability to create gas bubbles differs among different types of honey. For example, lychee honey and longan honey have higher glucose content, resulting in more bubbles, while mint honey and coffee blossom honey have fewer bubbles.

Moreover, pure forest honey is more likely to have bubbles and gas compared to farmed honey. However, forest honey harvested in late August, near the end of the season, contains less honey, and the remaining dark brown honey has less chance of bubbling.

Also, if honey is harvested before it matures, known as "unripe honey," it is more prone to bubbling and gas formation.

5. Transport-related vibration and shaking

Similar to carbonated drinks, when subjected to excessive vibration and shaking during transport, honey is more likely to produce gas due to the upward movement of gas. Therefore, proper handling during transportation is essential to avoid this phenomenon.

In these cases, gas bubbles can accumulate on the surface of the honey jar, and if the lid is opened immediately, the gas may spew out. To address this, it is recommended to leave the honey jar undisturbed in a fixed position until the honey settles, and the bubbles disappear before opening it for use.

6. High water content in honey

For pure honey, the water content ranges from 16% to a maximum of 22% of the total honey. If the water content is below 19%, the honey is unlikely to ferment and can be stored for a long time.

However, some honey products on the market are diluted with water, leading to a higher water content, making the honey more prone to bubbling when subjected to vibrations. Diluted honey also affects its quality and reduces its shelf life.

IV. Is honey with gas and bubbles harmful to health?

Honey with gas and bubbles is a natural phenomenon and does not pose any health hazards to consumers

According to scientific studies, the nutritional content and chemical structure of honey remain largely unchanged even when it has gas and bubbles. Therefore, you can still use honey as usual without worrying about health risks.

However, it is worth noting that honey with excessive gas and bubbles may slightly reduce its delicious taste. Thus, proper honey storage and gentle pouring into other containers can help reduce bubbling.

V. What to do if honey has strong gas and bubbles?

When honey has strong gas and bubbles, opening the jar immediately may cause the gas to escape, leading to honey leakage. To address this, you can take the following simple steps:

• If honey has strong gas and bubbles due to excessive vibrations during transport, let the honey jar settle undisturbed in a fixed position until the honey calms down and the bubbles dissipate before opening it for use.
• You can also put honey in the refrigerator's cool compartment for about 30 minutes to lower the temperature inside the honey and dissolve the bubbles. Note that you should not place honey in the freezer compartment as it will freeze and become difficult to use.

VI. How to reduce the presence of gas and bubbles in honey

To reduce the presence of gas and bubbles in honey, you can apply the following methods:

Methods to reduce the presence of gas and bubbles in honey

• Store honey in appropriate environmental conditions, with a cool and well-ventilated temperature.
• You should regularly open the honey jar to allow CO2 gas to escape. If left for a long time, CO2 gas may accumulate, causing bubbles to overflow when the jar is opened.
• Do not close the honey jar too tightly but ensure it is properly sealed to maintain honey quality and prevent bacterial contamination.
• When transporting honey, wrap it tightly and use shockproof bags or boxes to minimize excessive shaking.
• When pouring honey into a jar, avoid filling it to the brim, as during transport or in hot weather, the honey may expand and produce bubbles, which can lead to the jar's lid popping open.
• For homemade honey or forest honey harvested by yourself, remove excess pollen, bee particles, and beeswax before bottling and storing it for gradual use.
• During hot summer days with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), you can store honey in the refrigerator, but make sure the temperature remains above 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Extremely low temperatures can cause honey to crystallize and become too thick.

VII. Is honey with gas considered genuine honey?

Honey with gas and bubbles can indeed be genuine, natural honey

You can rely on the phenomenon of bubbling and the presence of gas in honey to distinguish between authentic and fake honey accurately. Simply pour a bit of honey into a glass and vigorously stir or shake the honey jar multiple times. If you notice gas bubbles, it is likely genuine honey.

However, it is important to note that each type of honey may exhibit different bubbling behaviors. For instance, lychee honey may produce additional gas, while other types of honey may primarily have bubbles without gas.

Moreover, this method of differentiating genuine honey from chemically adulterated honey is only accurate about 70%, and it cannot provide absolute certainty.

VIII. How to store honey with gas and bubbles?

If you know how to properly store honey, you can not only prevent the occurrence of bubbling and gas but also extend the shelf life of the honey while preserving its nutritional value.

Guidelines for properly storing honey to avoid bubbling

• Store honey in dry, cool, and well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight, with an ideal temperature ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Glass jars are the best containers to store honey, as they allow moisture and air not to affect the honey's quality during storage.
• Keep the honey jar in a fixed, safe, and stable position to avoid breakage and minimize movements, as excessive shaking can cause honey to bubble.
• Avoid using metal containers for honey storage, as they can trigger chemical reactions and oxidation, affecting honey quality and potentially introducing harmful toxins. Additionally, refrain from using wooden boxes or porous containers, as they can absorb the honey's aroma.

IX. Conclusion

These are our insights into the phenomenon of honey with gas and bubbles. We hope this information has provided you with useful knowledge and reassurance when using honey, even if it exhibits this phenomenon. Additionally, remember to select honey from reputable sources like IVY HONEY to ensure you are purchasing genuine, high-quality honey at reasonable prices.