The Right Way to Store Honey to Keep It at Peak Freshness (2024)

FAQs

The Right Way to Store Honey to Keep It at Peak Freshness? ›

Keep honey in sealed container.

Raw honey is best stored in a dark area that ranges from 65 to 75 degrees, such as in a cupboard near a stove or oven. If you're trying to avoid crystallization of raw honey, try duplicating the hive environment—warm and dark—as much as possible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The answer is indefinitely. If you're concerned about honey spoiling or going bad after a certain amount of time, don't be.

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.

Most bacteria and other microbes cannot grow or reproduce in honey i.e. they are dormant and this is due to antibacterial activity of honey. Various bacteria have been inoculated into aseptically collected honey held at 20°C. The result showed loss of bacterial viability within 8–24 days ²⁷.

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.

How to know if it's real honey? ›

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.

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.

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.

So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.

And it's been shown to be effective and safe for both children and adults," says Dr. Mattke. Adding honey to warm water or tea, or just a spoonful of honey itself can help with coughs. "It has been shown to be more effective than over-the-counter cough medications," she says.

The pamphlet recommends keeping honey below 50° Fahrenheit for long-term storage, since this cooler temperature prevents crystallization. This will slow down how easily the honey flows, so they also recommend allowing it to warm back up to room temperature before using.

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.

If bacteria cannot grow in honey, then it cannot spoil. This basically gives it an indefinite shelf life. Liquid honey however should be stored in your cupboard at room temperature as if it is kept in the refrigerator; the cooler temperature will promote and speed up the crystallization of liquid honey.

Yes, you can store honey in the freezer. 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.