Thixotropic liquids and the secret to extracting gelled honey

Although we seldom hear the word “thixotropic,” we encounter these strange materials everywhere, from ketchup to printer ink to some kinds of honey. Inside: Discover the fascinating world of thixotropic liquids. From heather honey to ketchup to gelatin, learn how these materials change viscosity when agitated. Above: Grapefruit flowers produce nectar that is moderately thixotropic, a property that varies with the variety. Florida, California, and Texas lead U.S. production of grapefruit.