How do I store my honey? (2024)

FAQs

How do I store my honey? ›

Keep container in an area that will stay at average room temperature. Because honey is best stored at room temperature (somewhere between 64 to 75 F), keeping your container of honey on a shelf or in your pantry is recommended.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

Aroma: The aroma of honey can also provide clues about its quality. High-quality honey often has a distinct floral scent that is reminiscent of the flowers that the bees have fed on. If honey has a strong, unpleasant odor, it may indicate that it has spoiled or fermented.

Keep your honey away from extreme temperatures - store it at a moderate room temperature. Plus, more exposure to light can impair honey quality. It is recommended that you store it in a dark place or use opaque jars to protect it from light. Mix honey gently if you observe early signs of crystallization.

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.

Does honey turn to sugar in your body? ›

The answer? Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates, consisting of the two types of sugar: Glucose and fructose, both of which are broken down quickly by the body and can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Overeating added sugars, including honey, can pose other health risks.

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.

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.

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.

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. It crystallizes when the sugar separates from the liquid.