Can You Freeze Honeycomb?

Honeycomb is a delicious natural treat made by honeybees. The wax cells are filled with raw honey and bee pollen. Eating freshly harvested honeycomb straight from the hive is a unique culinary experience prized by honey lovers.

But what if you want to save some honeycomb to enjoy later? Can you freeze honeycomb to preserve it? Let’s find out.

What Is Honeycomb?

Honeycomb consists of beeswax cells constructed in neat rows by honeybees to store honey and pollen. The bees make the wax themselves, secreting it from glands on their abdomen and using it to build the familiar hexagonal comb.

Inside each cell, the bees stockpile ripe honey from flower nectar. They also pack bee pollen into other cells. The pollen is the male reproductive cells gathered from flowers that the bees use as food.

Benefits of Eating Honeycomb

Eating honeycomb gives you all the benefits of raw honey plus much more. The comb contains enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and protein.

Benefits of consuming honeycomb include:

• Additional nutrients from bee pollen like protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
• Natural digestive enzymes from raw honey and pollen
• Antioxidants and polyphenols that may help reduce inflammation
• Antibacterial and antifungal compounds that support immunity
• Fiber and prebiotics from the beeswax that aid digestion
• Unique honey flavors and aromas

The honeycomb imparts subtle floral nuances you don’t get from honey alone. The chewy comb also provides a fun edible experience.

Why Freeze Honeycomb?

Freezing is an effective long-term storage method for honeycomb. There are several reasons you may want to pop your honeycomb in the freezer:

Preserve Freshness

Fresh honeycomb has a delicate texture and signature crunch. Freezing locks in the freshness and prevents the comb from getting watery or soggy over time. It pauses the aging process.

Enjoy Out of Season

Honeycomb is a seasonal delicacy harvested only during warm months when beehives are actively producing wax, honey, and pollen. Freezing comb lets you save it to enjoy in the winter when no fresh comb is available.

Stock Up While Available

Honeycomb can be hard to find year-round. So when you have access to it in season, freezing enables stocking up your supply.

Store Leftovers

Got leftover honeycomb from a farmers market purchase or beehive harvest? Freezing preserves the leftovers so none goes to waste.

Pause Crystallization

Raw honey gradually crystallizes from liquid into a semi-solid over time. Freezing halts the natural crystallization process to keep comb frozen in time.

Does Honeycomb Freeze Well?

Yes, honeycomb freezes beautifully! The frozen honeycomb retains its original texture and flavor when thawed. The comb keeps its signature crunch and structural integrity.

Freezing arrests the honeycomb in prime condition. It prevents oxidation and crystallization during storage. The comb does not get soggy or weep liquid honey when frozen.

The wax comb is resistant to damage from freezing temperatures. It protects the honey inside each cell from freezer burn.

However, any liquid or “weep” honey on the surface may crystallize or freeze solid. But a quick rinse under warm water will return it to liquid form.

How to Freeze Honeycomb

Freezing honeycomb is simple. Here are some tips:

Choose Quality Comb

Select fresh, undamaged comb with evenly filled, intact cells. Avoid old, leaky, or crystallized comb.

Prepare in Portions

Cut the honeycomb into individual portions or blocks for easy use. This allows defrosting just what you need.

Pack Tightly

Place comb pieces in airtight freezer bags or containers. Squeeze out excess air. Tight packing prevents freezer burn.

Label

Mark the package with the type and date to track freshness.

Freeze Quickly

For best quality, freeze comb as fast as possible. Place packages directly on freezer shelves rather than in door.

Freeze for Months

Store frozen honeycomb up to 12 months at 0°F (-18°C). Colder temperatures preserve even longer.

Thaw Before Eating

Defrost honeycomb overnight in the refrigerator or submerged in cold water. Do not microwave or leave at room temp.

Tips for Enjoying Frozen Honeycomb

Enjoy your frozen honeycomb treasure in these fun ways:

• Add comb chunks to hot tea or coffee to dissolve some honey sweetness
• Top yogurt, ricotta cheese, or ice cream for a crunchy adornment
• Bake, grill, or broil and then drizzle the warmed honey over fruit, salad, or meat
• Spread on fresh bread or waffles instead of butter for breakfast treat
• Mix into granola or trail mixes for wholesome crunch
• Garnish desserts like panna cotta, pies, cheesecake, and puddings
• Stir into smoothies or protein shakes to incorporate nutrients
• Skewer comb cubes on fruit kebabs as an appetizer or dessert
• Slice thinly and float in cocktails, mocktails, tea, lemonade, or sangria
• Fold into crepes along with other fillings like mascarpone, nuts, and chocolate
• Dip chunks directly in chocolate, coconut, granola, crushed nuts or seeds

The uses for honeycomb are limitless – get creative! It adds fabulous flavor, nutrition, and texture to recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does honeycomb need to be refrigerated before freezing?

No. You can freeze honeycomb straight from the hive without refrigerating first.

How long does honeycomb last in the freezer?

Properly stored honeycomb keeps well in the freezer for 8 to 12 months. Maintaining temperature at 0°F or below maximizes shelf life.

Can you refreeze thawed honeycomb?

It is not recommended to refreeze thawed honeycomb. Refreezing often causes texture degradation. For best quality and safety, thaw only the amount needed.

What is the best way to thaw frozen honeycomb?

Gently thaw honeycomb overnight in the refrigerator. Submerging the comb in cold water also works well. Do not microwave frozen comb.

Does freezing alter the honey taste?

Freezing has no detectable effect on the delicate florals and nuanced flavors of artisanal honey. It also preserves the signature sweetness.

Is it necessary to treat comb before freezing?

No preparations or pre-treatments are needed. Simply pack the honeycomb and freeze. The wax protects the honey from freezer damage.

Can you freeze comb with liquid honey?

Freezing oozing or wet comb is not recommended, as the liquid honey can pool and cause sticking. Gently blot excess honey before freezing solid comb.

How do you store frozen honeycomb?

Wrap frozen comb pieces individually in plastic wrap then place all together in a freezer bag or airtight container. Store flat in the coldest part of the freezer.

Can crystallized honeycomb be frozen?

It is possible but not ideal. Freezing temporarily halts further crystallization but does not reverse it. Defrosted comb may be extra crunchy.