What is the approximate temperature above which heating honey destroys beneficial enzymes?
Answer
104°F (40°C)
While gentle warming can be used to reverse crystallization in set honey and restore its liquid state, care must be taken regarding the temperature applied to preserve the honey's nutritional and therapeutic value. Heating honey beyond a certain threshold damages the enzymes naturally added by the bees, such as diastase and invertase. This critical temperature point is identified as approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 40 degrees Celsius. Applying heat above this level compromises these beneficial biological agents, reducing the overall quality profile of the honey.
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