Also known as nature’s gold, honey is famous for its unlimited benefits. It is sweet,andaromatic and has a much longer shelf life as compared to other sugary edibles. Some also say that honey never spoils but does it? Does honey ever spoil or can it stay on your shelves forever?
Well, yes honey has a long shelf life but sometimes it can go bad because of outside factors. So let’s see why honey doesn’t spoil easily and can literally stay good forever.
Why Doesn’t Honey Spoil Easily?
Amazingly honey has unique natural properties and chemical composition. Before going scientifically deep, remember honey was not meant for jars. It exists on trees and in jungles. So what if it goes bad sooner? Poor bees doing all that hard work for nothing? Well, we hope you got our point. Honey has natural qualities to be preserved for longer periods.
Now here is why honey doesn’t spoil easily
It Has Low Water Content
Honey has less water content so microorganisms and bacteria can’t survive and grow on it easily. Most spoilage comes from moist and damp environments. Bacteria and moulds thrive in damp substances. So honey being low in water content, creates a hostile environment for them.
High Sugar Concentration
Honey is 80% sugar which is a very high ratio. This high sugar content draws water out of microorganisms through osmosis and thus acts as a preservative for honey. So microorganisms get dehydrated and killed.
Acidic pH
Honey has acidic pH which is around 3.4 to 6.1. Bacteria, yeasts and moulds can’t grow in acidic environments. So honey stays safe and has a longer shelf life.
Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Honey produces hydrogen peroxide when comes in contact with moisture. This is due to an enzyme called glucose oxidase. This hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria and preserves honey.
Interesting fact:
Some Archaeologists have discovered pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old. Remarkably, the honey was still perfectly edible. So honey may never go bad when stored properly.
Does Honey Ever Spoil?
Well, we can say No! Honey never goes bad if stored properly, we have seen 3000-year-old honey. However, some factors may make honey less desirable to eat. For example
When honey is exposed improperly to moisture it can ferment. Natural yeasts present in honey can feed on the sugars and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. This will make honey sour to taste and may cause bubbling on the surface.
Also, under some circumstances, honey can crystalize which is fine. Thisdoesn’t mean it has gone bad. Crystallization is a natural process for honey and you can simply re-liquified it by gently warming it in a water bath. It is totally safe to eat it.
Over time if honey is exposed to sunlight or heat, it can change its flavour and aroma. This may affect the quality of honey but it is still safe to eat it.
How to Store Honey Properly?
To make sure honey doesn’t go bad, and maintains its quality
Store honey in air-tight containers. This prevents moisture from coming in direct contact with honey and prevents fermentation.
Make sure to store honey in a cool and dark place. Heat can alter honey in a way that it loses its beneficial properties.
You can also refrigerate honey but it can lead to crystalization. This may not change the quality of honey but it surely alters the texture.
How to Know Honey Has Spoiled?
Well. Honey doesn’t go bad in the literal sense but some changes like fermentation make it less desirable to eat. Here is you will know
There will be a froth on the surface. These bubbles are a sign that honey has undergone fermentation.
Fermented honey will taste off. If it is fermented, better not to consume it.
What to Do If Honey Crystallizes?
Well, it can easily be reversed or prevented from crystallizing in the first place. Many times crystallized honey is not easy to use. To de-crystallize honey,
Place a jar of honey in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Honey will melt away.
Don’t use the microwave to de-crystallize.
To prevent crystallization, store honey properly in an air-tight and at room temperature.
Does Raw Honey Spoil Quickly?
Well, No. Raw honey may contain pollen, bee parts and natural impurities.
All these things do not cause raw honey to spoil any faster than processed honey. Raw honey has lots of benefits and is preferred over processed honey.
On the other hand, pasteurization is processing honey to kill any bacteria and germs in it.Honey is heated at very high temperatures to kill yeast and bacteria butit may also affect its nutrients a little bit. Rest, it spoils like natural honey. Which is Never!
So raw or pasteurized, honey can last long. Pasteurization also removes yeasts that can cause fermentation.
Health Benefits of Long-Lasting Honey
The fact that honey doesn’t spoil easilymakes it a convenient, shelf-stable food. It also has lots of health benefits.
Honey is anti-bacterial. For centuries, honey is been used as a natural remedy for infections and wounds.
Honey is a very effective remedy for cough. It soothes sore throats and suppresses coughs. Honey tea is commonly used to cure respiratory infections.
Honey is a natural source of energy.
Can Honey Spoil And Go Toxic Over Time?
No! Honey never develops chemical toxins over age unless it is exposed to moisture or direct sunlight. However, one of the myths surrounding honey is that it can become toxic if stored for too long. Well, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
The only safety concern regarding honey is that it can contain spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This can cause botulism in infants under one year old. So don’t give honey to infants but it is safe for adults and older children.
With time honey may go dark. If it tastes fine and doesn’t show any sign of fermentation, darkened honey is safe to eat.
In short, honey is an amazing food with lots of benefits. It never spoils and when stored properly, it can last forever. Also, it is safe to consume darkened or crystallized honey. However, if it is fermented, better to leave it.
