It could have been my friend’s honey was the weird factor; too much moisture maybe… plus our climate, IDK.   Experimenting is good. 

 @reltbracco and @HODLr 

Honey has an affect with both onion and garlic in that it pulls out it’s  enzymes like alliinase.

These enzymes are anti microbial, antibacterial, anti inflammatory , and antioxidant

The Honey breaks down sulfur-containing compounds (alliin) into sulfur-containing volatile compounds (VSCs) like allicin. 

When onions and garlic meet Honey these enzymes are activated, releasing VSCs which cure ailments that cause coughing etc

That’s what the extra moisture is…all the goodness being extracted from the onion and garlic!

Which is to say, I keep a honey, garlic, onion homemade cough syrup on the counter year round. 

 Yeah. It’s personal. Some folks love spun honey/creamed honey (spreadable, granulated), some think it’s ruined. Honey is all good as long as it’s raw, better still if it’s local. Honey also absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and items like garlic as you said, with incredibly medicinal benefits.