Dripless Honey

THE PHOTO ABOVE shows a plastic jar of honey I purchased at Tom’s Market this week. Little did I know it would feature a very creative silicone valve that delivers a thin stream of golden sweet honey without creating a mess.

If you use honey, you know those drips can end up just about anywhere. It has been an issue I've faced for years. My spouts and dippers usually drip, creating a mess that leaves sticky fingers and hands; the effects often persist for some period of time.

I first realized how sticky honey can be when I was introduced to it in college at an Arkansas dinner celebration during spring break. I had been invited to the mayor’s house because I had delivered a spanking-new EMS ambulance made in Michigan that the mayor of the small town had taken delivery on.

I was clearly the guest of honor. One of the grandmothers at the dinner table made me feel so welcome. After one of the uncles delivered the blessing, Grandma quickly passed me a basket of warm corn muffins covered in a cloth napkin. Next came a glass jar of honey with an oddly shaped wooden thingamajig.

The mayor asked me if I had ever used a honey dipper. I admitted that it was new to me. He explained that I needed to dip the grooved wooden head into the jar of honey and gently spin the handle as I lifted it out – he assured me the honey would remain in the ridges and wouldn’t drip. He then instructed me to stop spinning the dipper and let gravity release the honey onto the corn muffin.

I now understand how it should have been used, but back then, my nerves were a bit on edge, and more honey ended up on the basket, tablecloth, and my left hand than on the corn muffin, much to the delight of the family members.

My thoughts today clearly had me set up for the folly, especially Grandma. So much for southern hospitality.

I’m hoping this new valve produces dripless honey with regularity.

Wouldn’t that be a nice surprise!