Honey is a pantry staple that can be found in most people's homes. It's a versatile ingredient that you can use to make everything from drinks and baked goods to savory dishes. But a little goes a long way, and one jar can last months if not years. Is that, well, OK? Can honey go bad? If so, when and how do you know if your honey is bad? Here are all the details about the golden sweetener and whether it ever expires.
Honey is a thick, sweet liquid produced by bees from plant nectar. There are hundreds of different types of honey produced in the world, and each has its own distinct flavor profile. The color and flavor of the honey depend on which plant the nectar comes from. In general, the darker the honey the stronger the flavor. The most common variety produced in the U.S. is clover honey.
Does Honey Go Bad?
Not really. Honey is made up of about 80% sugar and 18% water. That small amount of water makes it inhospitable to bacteria and mold. Honey is also very thick, which stops oxygen from easily penetrating it (bacteria need oxygen to thrive). Finally, the presence of gluconic acid gives honey a slightly acidic pH level—another barrier to microbial growth.
In general, honey doesn't spoil. However, it can go bad if it's contaminated or incorrectly stored. If your honey has visible mold, or if it smells fermented or "off," then it's time to toss it.
What If Honey Is Crystallized?
It's natural for honey to crystallize over time. This doesn't mean that the honey has gone bad, only that some of the sugar has separated from the water and transformed into crystals.
Crystallized honey can be eaten, but if you prefer it in its liquid state, you can gently heat the honey in a water bath over low heat. Make sure the water and honey don't come to a boil, as high temperatures will kill the good yeast and enzymes in the honey.
In general, expiration dates and sell-by dates are guidelines for inventory management. The dates help stores keep the freshest products on their shelves. Honey that's nearing its expiration date merely indicates that it's been sitting in the shop for a while. As long as the seal hasn't been tampered with, the honey should be good for many more years to come.
With that said, the quality of the honey could change over time. According to the USDA, while honey remains safe to eat after 12 months, the quality may not be as good.
What Special Properties Does Honey Have?
Honey is mostly made up of sugar and is not a nutrient-dense food. However, honey naturally produces hydrogen peroxide, the same antiseptic we use to treat minor scrapes, cuts and burns. In the past, honey was used as medicine by doctors to treat the ill and wounded. Today, medical-grade honey is used by some physicians to treat certain drug-resistant infections.
Many people assume that honey is good for a cough based purely on anecdotal evidence, but studies have found that honey can be an effective cough suppressant for those more than 1 year old (honey shouldn't be given to children under age 1). There's a reason it's common to drink tea and honey when you're feeling under the weather. (Learn more about the health benefits of honey.)
It's important to tightly close the lid of your honey container to prevent contamination from environmental microbes. This also prevents your honey from absorbing additional moisture. More moisture means more water, which makes it easier for bacterial growth to happen.
Keep in a Dry and Cool Area
Honey can be stored in the refrigerator, but this will cause it to crystallize faster. Crystallization isn't a bad thing, but most of us find it easier to use honey when it's liquid. To prevent this from happening, it's best to keep your honey in a cool spot like a cupboard or pantry.
Avoid Cross-Contamination and Water
Never use dirty or wet utensils to spoon honey out of the jar. This can invite unwanted bacteria and mold to grow.
The Bottom Line
Honey won't go bad as long as it's stored properly and protected from external contamination. Crystallized honey is not an indicator of spoilage but rather a sign of aging. To prevent honey from solidifying, keep your honey in an airtight container and place it in a cool, dark spot.
“Honey does not spoil, however for best quality, the USDA recommends storing honey for up to 12 months,” Amidor says. “After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. If the honey becomes cloudy, crystallized or solidified this is not a food safety concern.”
Finally, the presence of gluconic acid gives honey a slightly acidic pH level—another barrier to microbial growth. In general, honey doesn't spoil. However, it can go bad if it's contaminated or incorrectly stored. If your honey has visible mold, or if it smells fermented or "off," then it's time to toss it.
Well, honey doesn't actually expire. Look for a bad smell, changed taste, or color difference that might suggest it has turned bad. How long after expiration can you eat Honey? Due to its long-lasting nature, as long as honey appears and smells fine and is stored well, you can eat it.
While most of us don't need to worry about honey that old, their discovery proves that if properly contained, real honey can last for a very, very long time. The National Honey Board also agrees. They say, “Honey stored in sealed containers can remains stable for decades and even centuries!”
Many people believe that once their honey has crystallized, it is spoiled and is no longer safe to eat. This is false, as natural honey is one of the only foods that never expires (if sealed properly). Crystallized honey is completely edible- in fact, you can use it in the same ways you use liquid honey!
No, even opened honey doesn't expire. Per U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, honey will remain safe to eat even after the quality of the honey declines. So why can you eat years-old honey and be completely fine? The answer has to do with chemistry.
When Can Honey Go Bad? Despite honey's antimicrobial properties, it can go off or cause sickness under certain circ*mstances. These include contamination, adulteration, incorrect storage and degradation over time.
Ideally, honey should be stored at room temperature, so keep it away from stoves and other kitchen appliances that generate heat. You should also refrain from putting it in the fridge, as this can cause it to thicken and change its texture.
Though your honey may darken and crystalize over time, it's still safe to eat! Whether in a glass or plastic bottle, honey can return to its original liquid glory. To soften honey back into its regular liquid consistency, all you need is a heat-proof container and some hot water.
1. Honey. In 2015, archaeologists reported that they'd found 3,000-year-old honey while excavating tombs in Egypt, and it was perfectly edible. This durability is thanks to the unique features of honey: it is low in water and high in sugar, so bacteria cannot grow on it.
No, honey does not go bad. Because honey has a low water content and high acidity, it's an unfriendly place for bacteria to thrive. As long as the lid stays on and the honey stays free of added moisture, honey can be stored in the cupboard indefinitely.
In the extremely rare case that you introduce enough water or microorganisms to cause spoiling, the honey will smell or taste wrong and also have a foamy appearance or lots of extra water. In other words, it will be extremely obvious that the honey is no longer good to eat.
How to fix crystallized honey. Gently warm your honey to melt the crystals. Avoid direct heat (like a saucepan), instead placing your honey jar in a warm water bath. Remove the honey, stir it, and replace until you get the desired consistency back.
It might look spoiled because of the chunky texture and cloudy color, but don't toss it out! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, crystallized honey is safe to eat. It's actually normal for honey to crystallize—all honey crystallizes eventually, according to the experts at the National Honey Board.
No types of real honey expire because honey doesn't spoil on its own. (More on why below.) However, honey does change. It can change color from pale to dark.
To begin with this easy test, fill a glass with water and add a teaspoon of honey. Stir it once, if the honey is pure it will settle at the bottom and will not dissolve in water. It may form a lump or settle down. Adulterated or impure honey may dissolve or create a cloudy appearance.
It's one of the few products in the world that never goes bad, due to its unique chemical composition. Honey has a very low water content (normally less than 18%), and a fairly high acidic level: this makes for very unfavorable conditions for bacteria to grow. If bacteria cannot grow in honey, then it cannot spoil.
When it's stored properly, honey never goes bad, Grad said in an interview with Allrecipes. "Honey will darken and/or crystallize, but it is still safe to eat," she said. Metal or plastic containers can oxidize the honey, and heat can change its flavor.
Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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