Why Is My Honey Runny? Let's Talk About the Heat, Our Bees & El Niño!
THE SWEET TRUTH ABOUT YOUR HONEY
It's getting hot out there, and our bees are feeling it too!
Dear Honey Lovers,
We've been receiving quite a few questions lately, and there's one that keeps popping up:
"Why is my honey so runny?"
Followed closely by:
"Has water been added to it?"
"Is it still pure honey?"
We completely understand why you're asking. When something looks different from what you're used to, it's natural to wonder why.
But before the honey rumours get any stickier, we thought we'd share a little science, some important information about South Africa's current weather conditions, and an update on how we're protecting our hardworking bees.
Now, we know this is a slightly longer read than your usual email from us, but we sincerely hope that every customer and potential customer will take a few minutes to read it all the way through. We believe it's important to address these questions openly, clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding honey, and help you better understand the natural factors that influence the honey you enjoy.
More importantly, we want to give you a glimpse into the care, dedication and responsibility that go into looking after our bees and producing our honey. We've also included references to independent research and South African articles, so you don't simply have to take our word for it!
So, grab a cup of tea (with a little honey, of course!), get comfortable, and let's separate the honey facts from the honey myths.
What's happening with El Niño in South Africa?
First, let's talk about the weather.
You may have heard about El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon associated with unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific.
Its effects can influence weather patterns around the world.
Here in South Africa, El Niño is often associated with above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall.
And this isn't just something we're saying!
On 1 September 2026, the South African Weather Service warned that a very strong El Niño event was developing.
Its forecasts indicated that South Africa could experience hotter and drier conditions across much of the country between October 2026 and January 2027.
In fact, the Weather Service warned that the developing El Niño could become one of the strongest events on record.
They affect agriculture, flowering plants, nectar availability and, of course, our bees.
You can read the official South African government report here:
What are we doing to protect our colonies?
At Marico River Honey Bee Co, our bees aren't simply part of the production process.
They're the heart of everything we do.
And their wellbeing will always be a priority.
With hotter conditions approaching, we're taking additional steps to help our colonies cope.
Moving hives into more suitable, shaded locations where necessary. Reducing exposure to harsh afternoon sunlight can help protect colonies against excessive heat.
Paying close attention to water availability. Bees need accessible water to regulate their hive temperatures.
Monitoring colony health. We're keeping a close eye on how our bees are coping with changing conditions.
Putting our bees before production. Healthy colonies are essential to sustainable beekeeping, and we believe in protecting them for the long term.
South African beekeeping specialists also recommend providing adequate ventilation, water, and appropriate shade during hot weather. We would much rather protect a thriving colony than compromise its well-being for another jar of honey.
So, why is your honey thinner?
Now for the question everyone has been asking! Here's something important to understand: Honey naturally becomes thinner as its temperature increases. This is due to a scientific property known as viscosity, which simply describes how easily a liquid flows. When honey is cooler, it generally becomes thicker and flows more slowly, whereas warmer temperatures reduce its viscosity, making it thinner and runnier.
Interestingly, researchers at the University of Pretoria have studied how temperature affects the viscosity of nectar and the feeding behaviour of honeybees. Their research confirms that warmer nectar becomes less viscous, making it easier for bees to consume. The university also explains how temperature influences the ease with which honey flows from a bottle. Scientific studies examining honey itself have similarly confirmed that its viscosity decreases as temperatures rise.
So, if your honey seems thinner than usual, it doesn't automatically mean anything has been added to it. It may simply be responding to warmer temperatures, whether during storage, transportation or after arriving at your home. It's a completely natural physical change, and one that is particularly noticeable during South Africa's hotter months.
Read the research:
Your Honey’s Journey Matters Too!
Another important factor that many customers might not have considered is what happens to their honey during transportation. After all, your honey doesn't magically teleport from our premises to your doorstep (although that would certainly make deliveries easier!). During South Africa's hotter months, temperatures inside courier vehicles can rise significantly, especially when vehicles are parked in direct sunlight or have limited ventilation. As a result, your honey may be exposed to considerable heat while making its way to you. As we've explained, higher temperatures naturally reduce honey's viscosity, causing it to become thinner and flow more easily.
This means that even if your honey was relatively thick when it left our premises, it could arrive at your doorstep looking noticeably runnier. This doesn't mean that water, sugar syrup or anything else has been added to your honey. It may simply be reacting to the warmer temperatures experienced during its journey. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also highlights the importance of protecting honey from excessive heat during storage and transportation, warning that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can affect its quality. This is why proper handling and storage are so important. Once your honey arrives, we recommend keeping it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and allowing it to return to a stable room temperature. As it cools, it will generally become thicker again.
Remember, a runnier consistency does not automatically mean your honey has been diluted, sometimes it's simply had a rather warm journey to your doorstep!
How should you store your honey?
Once your honey arrives, a few simple steps can help preserve its quality.
Store at a stable room temperature. A cool, dry cupboard is ideal. Where practical, aim for approximately 18–24°C and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 25°C.
Keep it away from direct sunlight. Your honey doesn't need a suntan! Avoid windowsills and areas exposed to strong afternoon sun.
Avoid heat sources. Don't store honey next to ovens, stoves or other appliances that generate heat.
Don't leave it in a hot vehicle. If you've collected your honey or received a delivery, take it indoors rather than leaving it in your car.
Keep the lid tightly closed. Honey absorbs moisture from the air. A properly sealed container helps maintain its quality.
Refrigeration isn't necessary. Cooler storage can encourage crystallisation in some types of honey. Crystallisation is a natural process and doesn't automatically indicate a quality problem.
Give recently delivered honey time to adjust. If your honey has arrived warm, allow it to return to a stable room temperature. It may become thicker as it cools, although some honey varieties are naturally more fluid than others.
South African honey producers also recommend storing honey in a sealed container, away from sunlight and excessive heat.
Let's clear up a few honey myths!
MYTH: If honey is runny, water must have been added.
FACT: Not necessarily! Temperature affects viscosity, and naturally occurring differences in honey can also influence its thickness.
MYTH: Pure honey must always be thick.
FACT: Pure honey can have different consistencies depending on its natural composition, floral source and temperature.
MYTH: Honey that changes consistency must be poor quality.
FACT: A change in consistency is not, by itself, proof of poor quality. However, genuine concerns about honey quality should always be taken seriously.
MYTH: The bees are not affected by extreme weather.
FACT: Bees work hard to regulate hive temperatures, and extreme heat can place significant stress on colonies.
A Final Word From Us
We understand that our customers care about the products they buy, and we genuinely appreciate the questions and interest surrounding our honey. Unfortunately, misinformation and misconceptions about honey have become increasingly common, which is why we believe it's important to share the facts and help our customers better understand this wonderful natural product. Rather than simply asking you to take our word for it, we've shared information supported by South African weather reports, scientific research and experienced beekeeping professionals. Above all, however, we want you to know that we genuinely care about our bees and their wellbeing.
Behind every container of honey are thousands of flights, countless flowers and an extraordinary amount of hard work by these remarkable little creatures that play such an essential role in our environment. With the challenging weather conditions we're experiencing, we're doing everything we reasonably can to protect our colonies, reduce unnecessary stress and ensure our bees remain healthy and thriving.
For us, beekeeping has never been just about producing honey; it's about respecting nature, caring for our bees and ensuring their survival for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful for your continued trust and support, and we hope this has helped clear up some of the confusion surrounding honey's consistency. While the weather may change the thickness of our honey, it will never change our commitment to its quality, the wellbeing of our bees and responsible beekeeping. After all, the heat may make our honey runnier, but it will never water down our commitment to our bees!
Thank you for supporting local beekeepers and choosing honey that's as pure as nature intended.
We look forward to sweetening your day!
Warm regards,
The Marico River Honey Bee Co Team
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