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A simple experiment that heats raw honey to 140 °C, mixes it with clarified butter (ghee), and observes the changes in flavor, density, acidity, and HMF formation. The recipe follows the procedure Adam Ragusea described in his video, showing that heated honey is not toxic but does develop different chemical properties.
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Everything you need to know about this recipe
Honey and ghee have been used together for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Indian sweets, symbolizing purity and nourishment. The combination appears in festive dishes like laddus and is believed to balance the doshas, though scientific claims about toxicity are largely myth.
In North India, honey‑ghee is often mixed with nuts and spices for festive sweets, while in South India it may be combined with jaggery and coconut. Some regions add cardamom or saffron for aroma, but the basic 1:1 ratio remains common in Ayurvedic remedies.
It is not a typical serving dish; rather, it is used in small quantities as a health tonic or as a test sample. When consumed, a spoonful is taken at room temperature, often after a meal, to enjoy the rich, caramel‑buttery flavor.
Honey and ghee are central to many Indian festivals such as Diwali and Navratri, where they are offered in prayers and used in sweets. The mixture is also given to newborns and the elderly as a nourishing supplement.
Heating honey to 140 °C dramatically increases hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels, a marker of sugar degradation. Mixing it with ghee creates a stable emulsion that showcases how traditional ingredients behave under modern culinary techniques.
The biggest errors are overheating the honey past 140 °C, which burns it, and adding cold ghee, which causes separation. Also, neglecting to strain the ghee can leave milk‑solid particles that affect texture.
A 2‑minute hold is enough to generate measurable HMF without completely caramelizing the honey, matching the conditions used in the Indian Defense Food Research Laboratory study referenced by Adam Ragusea.
Yes, you can prepare the mixture up to three days in advance. Store it in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature before tasting. For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers for up to three months.
The YouTube channel Adam Ragusea specializes in food science, culinary technique breakdowns, and approachable cooking tutorials that blend humor with rigorous experimentation.
Adam Ragusea focuses on testing myths with controlled experiments, such as the heated honey toxicity claim, whereas many other channels present recipes without probing the underlying science. His style mixes detailed explanations with hands‑on demonstrations.
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