Just How Long a Jar of Honey Lasts, According to Experts
Every so often, I rummage through my kitchen cabinets and try to make space by getting rid of those jars and packages that have been sitting around for a while. Inevitably, I’ll come across a jar of honey. This honey may have gone past its best-by date or perhaps even has started to crystallize. But does honey go bad, and can it be spoiled or rotten? We had to ask a few pros to find out if this sweet pantry staple (that truly makes everything better, whether it's a finishing touch on pizza or pancakes) can really last forever. Here's what they had to say.
Related: 4 Benefits of Raw Honey, According to Dietitians
Does honey go bad?
Honey is packed with benefits, from improving gut health to lowering inflammation, but if it’s been sitting in that pantry since Christmas—and it’s now the following Thanksgiving—you may wonder if it’s still going to have all that value. But not to worry, it will! “It might develop crystals but these are easily dissolved by putting the whole jar in some hot water and stirring it. I heard that honey was found in tombs of ancient Egyptians and it was still edible!” said Emilie Berner, Lead Chef of Online Plant-Based Culinary Arts & Food Operations at the Institute of Culinary Education.
How to store honey
As with everything from wine to spices, how good honey lasts is going to be dependent on how good you are at storing it. “Honey is best stored in conditions that are like that of the hive…dark and around an ambient temperature of 65-75°F,” explains Trevor Craig, Food Expert and Corporate Director of Technical Training and Consulting at Microbac Laboratories.
The key to long storage of food is to keep it in conditions away from things that are going to degrade it. “Honey is unique because of its high sugar content and not much else, it isn’t an environment that supports a lot of microbial growth. There are some sugar-loving bacteria and yeast that can grow in this if they are given the right conditions and water activity,” said Craig. Make sure to store the honey in containers that are airtight and sealed between uses to protect it from moisture. Plastic is good, and glass is better but they should be sterile.
Remember, think about those cave elements. “My preference is to store honey in a warm place to delay the formation of crystals. The refrigerator can make it too hard,” said Berner. Storing honey in the pantry is fine too.
How long is honey safe to eat?
Honey doesn’t really go bad if stored properly. However, you can contaminate the product once you open it. “Shelf life is typically based on unopened products because it’s difficult to know and control once a product is opened and handled by a consumer,” said Craig.
You are going to want to do everything you can to stave off the development of bacteria. “Bacteria introduced during handling can cause honey to ferment, get slimy, or produce gas which would mean the product is spoiled and not to use it," he adds.
Related: 35 Easy Honey Recipes From Baked Goods To Glazed Meats
Does honey expire?
Not really. This is more a best-by-situation rather than a use-by situation. The expiration dates are mostly used as a quality, not a safety indicator. "Over time, even non-spoiled products can change and deteriorate. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat it still but it might not be the best product that the producer wants to sell or for you to consume and associate with their name brand,” shares Craig.
Why does honey crystallize?
You’ve seen those honey crystals and probably wondered if it’s honey’s version of the mold. It’s not! It’s still fully safe to enjoy. “Honey has a lot of sugar in it and just like any product with a lot of sugar it can fall out of the solution and crystallize,” said Craig. This actually isn’t anything bad and some people actually like that texture and store their honey in the fridge or freezer to encourage some crystallization.
