Honey is a delicious and natural sweetener that has been enjoyed by people for thousands of years. It's also a popular ingredient in many different types of food and drinks, as well as in skincare and home remedies. However, to enjoy the many benefits of honey, it's important to know how to store and preserve it properly.
In this blog post, we'll explore the different ways to store and preserve your honey so that it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible. We'll also discuss how to prevent crystallization and how to tell if your honey has gone bad.
How to Preserve Honey
Honey is a natural preservative, which means it can last for a long time without spoiling. However, it's important to store your honey properly to ensure it stays fresh and doesn't crystallize.
The best way to preserve honey is to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Heat and moisture can cause honey to ferment or spoil, so it's important to avoid exposing it to these conditions.
It's also important to keep your honey in an airtight container. This will prevent air and moisture from getting in and will help to keep your honey fresh. Glass jars are a great choice for storing honey because they are non-reactive and won't absorb any flavors or odors.
How Long Will Honey Last in a Honey Jar?
If stored properly, honey can last for years in a honey jar. However, it's important to note that over time, honey may darken and crystallize. This is a natural process and doesn't necessarily mean that the honey has gone bad.
To prevent crystallization, it's best to store your honey at room temperature. If your honey has already crystallized, you can easily bring it back to its liquid state by gently heating it in a warm water bath.
What's the Best Way to Store Honey so it Doesn't Crystallize?
Crystallization is a natural process that occurs when glucose in the honey forms crystals. This doesn't necessarily mean that the honey has gone bad, but it can make it less appealing to use.
To prevent crystallization, it's best to store your honey in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If your honey has already crystallized, you can place the jar in a warm water bath to gently heat it up and bring it back to its liquid state.
Another way to prevent crystallization is to add a small amount of liquid honey to your jar of crystallized honey and mix it together. This will help to break up the crystals and make the honey smooth and liquid again.
Check out our post on 6 Ways to Liquefy Crystallized Raw Honey: A Comprehensive Guide.
Can Honey Go Bad or Spoil and How Can You Tell?
Honey can technically go bad or spoil, but it's rare. 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. Fermented honey may have a sour smell or taste, while moldy honey will have visible mold growth on the surface.
If you suspect that your honey has gone bad, it's best to discard it and purchase a fresh jar.
Storing and preserving honey properly is essential to ensure that it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Keep your honey in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and store it in an airtight container to prevent air and moisture from getting in.
If your honey has already crystallized, gently heat it in a warm water bath to bring it back to its liquid state. And if you suspect that your honey has gone bad, look for signs of fermentation or mold and discard it if necessary
FAQs
The best way to preserve honey is to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Heat and moisture can cause honey to ferment or spoil, so it's important to avoid exposing it to these conditions. It's also important to keep your honey in an airtight container.
Should honey be stored in plastic or glass? ›
Keep honey in sealed container.
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. It isn't recommended to store your honey in non-food plastic containers or metal containers because they can cause honey to oxidize.
Should raw honey be refrigerated? ›
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.
Does pure honey freeze in the fridge? ›
But raw honey doesn't quite “freeze” like water because of its low water content. As honey gets colder, it gets thicker and more viscous, meaning it flows less easily. If you put it in your freezer, it will solidify and keep — but it won't become rock-solid like an ice cube.
How to store honey so it doesn't harden? ›
To slow crystallization naturally, store your honey at room temperature or warmer (the warmer the better). Store honey in glass jars instead of plastic.
What is the best material to store honey in? ›
Always keep your honey in a glass, airtight container. Otherwise, the hygroscopic (water-loving) sugars in the honey will absorb moisture from the air, leading to the growth of undesirable yeasts.
How do you store honey forever? ›
Controlling Temperature & Light Exposure
Keeping a constant temperature is paramount for storing honey. UV light can impact it while speeding up the crystallization process. Keep your honey away from extreme temperatures - store it at a moderate room temperature. Plus, more exposure to light can impair honey quality.
Does honey raise blood sugar? ›
According to new research, honey – especially Robinia, clover and unprocessed raw honey – can improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. “There may be benefits of adding honey and natural sweeteners to your already healthy diet,” says Taimur Habib, MD, a Fairfield internist.
How to know if honey is pure? ›
Take a tablespoon of honey and mix it in a glass of water. If the honey is pure, it will lump together and settle at the bottom without readily dissolving. On the other hand, if it dissolves easily and blends uniformly with the water, it may indicate adulteration, possibly containing added moisture or syrups. 2.
How to store honey to avoid ants? ›
Keep your honey jar lid closed tightly.
This is the easiest way to prevent hordes of ants from going for a swim in your precious condiments.
Drop a teaspoon of honey into a glass of water. Fake honey will immediately start to dissolve, whilst raw honey will drop to the bottom of the glass intact. Place a drop of room temperature or cooler honey on your finger, If the 'honey' spreads then it is fake honey.
Can dogs have honey? ›
Yes, dogs can have honey in small amounts as it's high in sugar. Honey provides antioxidants and can help with allergies in dogs. Some dogs may find the sweetness of honey overwhelming. Ensure honey is pure, without added sweeteners or xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
What are the health benefits of honey? ›
[10] Evidence indicates that honey can exert several health-beneficial effects including antioxidant,[11] anti-inflammatory,[12] antibacterial,[13] antidiabetic,[14] respiratory, gastrointestinal,[15] cardiovascular, and nervous system[16] protective effects.
How to tell if honey is bad? ›
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.
Should honey be stored in glass or plastic? ›
For long term storage of your honey ensure that it is sealed in air tight containers. For best shelf stability store in glass jars. Some plastic containers still allow the honey to lose water content or can leech chemicals into your honey.
Does honey go bad in plastic? ›
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 Decrystallize honey in a plastic container? ›
For plastic bottles, take off the top and fill a pot with hot water from the faucet. Place the bottle of honey in the pot and replace the water periodically. For glass bottles, boil water on the stove, remove it from the heat, and set the honey container inside.
Does honey crystalize faster in plastic? ›
Plastic is a porous substance, and the crystallization process occurs quickly in plastic. On the other hand, the glass jar is hard and prevent moisture in honey and slow the crystalization process.
How long does honey last once opened? ›
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.
