Why Doesn’t Honey Expire?
Plus, how to store honey and what to do if it crystalizes.
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Is it true that honey doesn’t expire? Jar of honey that's been sitting in the pantry for several years, we're looking at you. For more info, we consulted Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, award winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family
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What Is Honey?
Honey is a liquid sweetener that is created by honeybees from nectar collected from flowers. Honey’s color and flavor vary based on the nectar collected by the bees.
"Bees collect nectar to bring back to the hive where it is stored as food because it provides energy for bees. The nectar gets broken down into simple sugars stored inside the honeycomb. Honeybees make more honey than the colony needs, so it is removed by beekeepers and bottled as honey,” Amidor says. “After the honey is extracted, it’s strained to remove any remaining wax and other particles and sometimes heated. After straining, the honey is bottled, labeled and sold to the public. It can be sold in glass or plastic containers at your local farmers market or grocery store. Look for the words "pure honey" which indicates that nothing was added from bee to hive to the bottle.”
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Does Honey Go Bad?
No, honey does not go bad. Because honey has a low water content and high acidity, it's an unfriendly place for bacteria to thrive. As long as the lid stays on and the honey stays free of added moisture, honey can be stored in the cupboard indefinitely. (Remember not to dip a spoon into the jar if it’s been somewhere else, like in your tea, jam jar or nut butter.)
“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.”
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Why Does Honey Have an Expiration Date?
Honey does not have an expiration date. “It has a "use by" date placed on the bottle by the manufacturer to indicate peak quality,” Amidor explains. “This date does not indicate spoilage or food safety concerns.”
What to Do If Honey Crystalizes
If the honey crystalizes or becomes cloudy or solidified, microwave the honey or heat it in a pan of hot water to melt or clarify it. To reheat crystalized honey in a pan, place the honey container with its lid on in a small saucepan. Add enough hot (not boiling) water to the pan just to reach the top of the honey in the container. Once the water has been added, remove the lid and allow the honey container to sit until the honey warms to a drizzly consistency, about 15 minutes.
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How to Store Honey
Store honey in its original container in a cool, dry place away from the sunlight. “Make sure the cap is tightly on to minimize exposure to oxygen,” Amidor says. “If the temperature is too hot where the honey is stored, it can change the color and flavor of the honey.” Storing honey in the refrigerator is not recommended.
Is Honey Healthy?
Find out how to make this natural sweetener part of a healthy diet.
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