If you know how to store honey correctly, you can enjoy for years. It’s also one of the most shelf stable foods. Beekeepers and food safety experts learn where to store honey, how long it lasts, and how to keep it tasting sweet for as long as possible.
So, How Long Does Honey Last
Thanks to its high concentration of sugars, honey is one of the most stable natural foods. Honey is the only food that never spoils and is almost always safe to eat.
Shelf life: It can have an almost indefinite shelf life, lasting decades or longer if it’s stored properly. Over time, it may crystallize and the quality might not be as good as when you first purchased it, but the honey will still be safe to consume.
Expiration date: Although it doesn’t have an expiration date, many honey producers put a “best by” date of about two years on the label of their honey to encourage consumers to use the product while it’s at its best. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration recommends using honey within a year of buying it to ensure quality.
How to Store Honey
Store your honey in an airtight glass container. Otherwise, the hygroscopic (water-loving) sugars in the honey will absorb moisture from the air, leading to the growth of undesirable yeasts. Plastic is also known to be permeable to water vapor, gas, and odors. This means that when you store honey in plastic, it may lose or gain moisture. Glass has a proper seal that keeps honey at the right liquid-to-sugar ratio to remain shelf stable instead of fermenting.
Raw Honey
Raw honey is best stored in a dark area that ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, such as in a cupboard. If you’re trying to avoid the crystallization of raw honey, try duplicating the hive environment, warm and dark as much as possible.
If your honey does crystallize, you can always re-liquefy it by placing the jar into a warm (not boiling) bowl of water. The ideal water temperature to use is 104 degrees.
Creamed Honey
European-style creamed honey is 100 percent honey that was produced by controlling the crystallization process. The product is known for having a creamy consistency and smooth spreadable texture. Plus, you can put creamed honey in the refrigerator because it is already crystallized, so its texture will not change.
Pasteurized Honey
Processed, or pasteurized, honey is treated at high temperatures to destroy sugar-tolerant yeasts and extend its shelf life. This honey should be stored in a warm, dark place, like your kitchen cabinet or pantry, or anywhere it won’t be susceptible to crystallization.
Should You Refrigerate Honey?
You don’t need to refrigerate any type of honey other than creamed honey. Some people enjoy the crystallized texture change that happens when honey is kept in the refrigerator. If that’s the case, by all means, keep it cold.
Can You Freeze Honey?
Yes! If you want to ensure that the taste of a certain type of honey remains at its peak intensity, consider storing it in the freezer. This stops it from losing flavor and getting darker or changing taste.
Keeping Honey Safe From Contamination
Even the most carefully stored honey can become contaminated and spoil. Use clean and dry utensils when dipping them into a honey container. If honey smells fermented (like alcohol), has foam, or a pink slime on it, then dispose ASAP.