How Long Can You Store Honey? | Sleeping Bear Farms (2024)

FAQs

How Long Can You Store Honey? | Sleeping Bear Farms? ›

There's no definite time that you can keep your raw honey stored – there has been honey found in Egyptian tombs that is still edible! However, we'd recommend using it within a year or so for best flavor. It's so good that we don't see it last that long though, typically.

"Honey is the only food that never spoils and is always safe to eat," says Frank Mortimer, Cornell University master beekeeper and author of Bee People And The Bugs They Love. It can have an almost indefinite shelf life, lasting decades or longer if it's stored properly.

Keeping your honey in the original container that you bought it in is recommended, and after use, make sure the lid is on tight so moisture and odors can't sneak in. Glass jars with lids are also ideal for storing honey as long as the lids are on tight so the honey won't be exposed to air, while not being used.

But if you're asking, “Did my honey spoil?” the answer is almost certainly, “No.” Honey contains trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, just like what you might use to disinfect a wound. Even though you can't taste it, there's enough to prevent mold and bacteria from growing, keeping honey from going bad.

The short answer is that when properly stored, raw honey does not go bad. In fact, it is pretty much the only food on earth that does not go bad!

Natural, properly preserved honey will not expire. In fact, archeologists found honey thousands of years old in ancient Egyptian tombs, and it was still good! 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.

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.

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.

Storing Your Honey

Simply keep it in a cool location away from direct sunlight and in a tightly sealed container. It's recommended that you use the original container the honey came in, though any glass jar or food-safe plastic container will work. Avoid storing honey in metal because it can oxidize.

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.

Can I eat 2 year expired honey? ›

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.

Unfortunately, this cute little honey bear that we grew up knowing comes at the cost of fraud and adulteration. While there might be some traces of real honey in those bear-shaped-bottles as a base, it is likely diluted with high-fructose corn syrup along with other sugars and fillers.

Because of its low water content and natural antibacterial properties, honey is resistant to spoiling. However, if honey is exposed to moisture or heat, it can ferment or develop mold, which can make it unsafe to eat. To tell if your honey has gone bad, look for signs of fermentation or mold.

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.

The glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate raises blood sugar levels. Honey has a GI score of 58, and sugar has a GI value of 60. That means honey (like all carbohydrates) raises blood sugar quickly, but not quite as fast as sugar.

The shelf life of honey can be nearly indefinite. But in order for it to remain good, honey must be kept in a sealed container. Honey normally has a moisture content of around 18% when properly stored. But due to its hygroscopic nature, honey can absorb moisture from the air.

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.

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.

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.