Brendan

FAQs

Is your honey sourced only from the Cape?

Yes! The Cape Town Honey Company is proud to be 100% Cape-sourced. Our honey is harvested from local, ethical beekeepers across the Western Cape, where diverse floral landscapes range from fynbos-rich mountains to the vibrant carpets of flowers in rural areas.

By focusing on local honey, we:

  • Support Cape biodiversity and sustainable beekeeping
  • Capture the unique terroir of our region’s seasons
  • Ensure traceability from hive to jar

While some locally available honeys have been blended with foreign honeys, we believe in celebrating the Cape’s distinct flavours and environmental benefits.

Is your honey raw?

Yes! Our honey is raw and unpasteurized, preserving its natural enzymes, flavour, and health benefits.

How is your honey processed?

To extract honey from the comb, we gently warm it just enough to allow smooth straining – this helps remove tiny bits of hive material (like beeswax or bee legs) without damaging the honey’s quality. Unlike commercial pasteurization, which uses high heat, our process is carefully controlled to never exceed safe temperatures.

Does heating affect the honey?

Research shows that prolonged heating at high temperatures can degrade honey’s natural enzymes and darken its colour. That’s why we use precise, thermostatically controlled warming when necessary to ensure our honey stays as close to its natural state as possible.

Why does honey crystallize?

Honey is naturally liquid when first harvested, but over time, many varieties begin to crystallize – a process often called “crystallisation” or “granulation”. This is a totally natural occurrence and doesn’t mean your honey is spoiled or less pure. In fact, it’s a sign of high-quality, raw honey!

What causes crystallization?

Honey contains natural sugars, primarily glucose and fructose. The glucose molecules tend to separate and form tiny crystals over time, especially if:

  • The honey has a higher glucose content (some floral varieties crystallize faster than others).
  • It’s stored in cooler temperatures (like in your pantry or fridge).

Does crystallization affect quality?

Not at all! The taste, texture, and nutritional benefits remain completely unchanged. You can easily return your honey to its liquid state by gently warming it:
✅Recommended method:Place the jar in a bowl of warm water and let it slowly liquefy.
❌Avoid microwaving, as uneven heat can damage honey’s natural enzymes and flavour.

So, if your honey crystallizes, don’t worry – it’s just nature’s way of reminding you it’s the real deal!