Raw Vs. Processed

What exactly is the difference between Raw and Processed honey?  First, let's understand the purpose and effects of heating honey.  Honey naturally has many many health benefits.  These benefits can be destroyed however if the honey is heated to 120 degrees or more. 

A large commercial honey producer (that you typically see in grocery stores) will heat their honey to make it easier and faster to run through their machines and bottle.  This is called processed honey.  Also, heated honey typically takes much longer to granulate than nonheated.

Most local honey is bought specifically for it's health benefits, mainly helping allergy sufferers.   As a standard rule, local honey producers do not heat their honey.  Sometimes it is necessary to warm it, but not above 90 degrees.  At this temperature, honey's healthy properties are maintained.  Since it is not 'heated', local honey can granulate between a few to several months after harvesting.  If it has granulated, it is necessary to warm it just enough to make bottling possible.  This is called raw honey because it is still in the same condition that it was harvested from the hive.

If you have a bottle of honey that has started crystallizing, it's easy to fix with a water bath.  Simply loosen the lid and and place it in pot of warm water.  If the bottle is mostly or completely crystallized,  you can reliquify it with the bottle only half covered with water.  The main thing is not to rush the process with to much heat, slower (lower heat) is better.
You can put the jar in the microwave, but it will cause the honey to get hotter faster and you risk overheating it.  If it starts boiling, it's gotten way to hot.  The simplist way I've found is to leave a bottle in my car on a very hot summer day with the windows rolled up.  That works every time with glass jars, plastic bottles - not so much.

Granulation is a natural process and does not mean the honey is spoiled.  The length of time it takes to granulate after harvesting has mostly to do with the types of flowers it comes from.  Cold temperatures also increase the speed of granulation so never put it in the fridge.  The best place to store honey is on your counter.

Enjoy your healthy honey.