A frequently asked question we get about honey is whether it can spoil. Even the pharaohs of ancient Egypt ate this natural product. It was also used for medicinal purposes and in mummification. It's not surprising that we've also found honey from this period in ancient tombs. At around 3,000 years old, we have reasonable evidence of whether honey can spoil or not.
Honey cannot spoil
Let's get straight to the point: even the honey of the ancient pharaohs didn't spoil. If you've bought natural honey, you can assume it has an unlimited shelf life. It doesn't matter what type of natural honey you buy. Honey doesn't spoil because the bees use ventilation to reduce the water content to less than 20%. This low water content makes it difficult for bacteria to contaminate the honey, and it doesn't ferment quickly. This prevents harmful substances from contaminating the honey, allowing you to continue eating it without getting sick. In some cases, usually due to improper storage, honey can spoil. You'll quickly notice this by a layer of foam on the honey and an unpleasant odor.
Then why is there an expiration date on it?
Although honey doesn't spoil, its flavor and texture do change over time. Honey has a shelf life of about two years. From this point on, the enzymes in the honey decrease, and it becomes darker and more viscous. It's therefore less easy to eat and has a different flavor than when you bought it. If you bought honey with a high water content, it can spoil. In either case, we recommend storing the honey properly.
How to keep honey fresh for longer
How do I store honey properly? Honey is most affected by air and bacteria. The following tips will help you minimize these effects and keep your honey fresh for as long as possible:
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Store honey in a cool place: at high temperatures, the fermentation process accelerates, causing the honey to thicken. Room temperature is actually a bit too warm for this, so a temperature of 12° Celsius is ideal. We do not recommend storing honey in the refrigerator, as this causes it to crystallize.
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Store honey in a dark place: Temperature fluctuations also cause crystallization, so a permanent, dark place is recommended for your honey. A kitchen or pantry is a good place to store it.
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Avoid oxygen: Oxygen attracts moisture, which can spoil the honey and cause it to lose its flavor. Therefore, always seal honey tightly after use.
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Use clean cutlery: Honey doesn't easily attract bacteria, but dirty cutlery can easily transfer food particles and other debris to the honey. While the honey doesn't spoil immediately, these particles can spoil and impart an unpleasant flavor. Using clean cutlery minimizes this risk.
