Honey is one of nature's healthiest foods. It contains many useful substances and trace elements. Many people wonder if honey can go bad.

Storage features

The useful product is kept in different containers. Its quality depends on how it is stored.

In honeycombs

First, the wax structures of the bees are cut to prevent honey from flowing out. Then they are placed in a container. The best container is a glass or ceramic jar. In wax buildings, the product may deteriorate due to high humidity. With an increase of more than 50 percent, they can collapse. Mold may also develop. Then the honey will become worthless.

The best container is a glass or ceramic jar.

What container is best for storing

Of great importance for the shelf life is the container in which the product will be placed. Experienced beekeepers advise not to store honey in metal and wood dishes for a long time. It can react with the walls of a container made of these materials and spoil its taste.

It is recommended to store the treat in a glass or ceramic container, tightly corking it. It will not absorb moisture and foreign odors.

It depends on how clean the dishes are, whether honey can be lost. It is necessary to sterilize the container or wash it well.

Important! The new and old product should not be mixed, it can deteriorate quickly.

You can also use food grade plastic containers for preservation. But in such conditions, the delicacy lasts up to 12 months. Better to store in a dark place.

Temperature regime

Honey keeps well in a cold place. Temperature extremes should be avoided as the product may deteriorate. Optimal for maintaining -20 degrees. At this t, honey can harden, but it will not lose its useful qualities. In room conditions, does honey deteriorate - the answer is yes. Sun and heat are affected. The product begins to ferment and deteriorate.

Honey keeps well in a cold place

Important! It should be borne in mind that honey is a dietary supplement that absorbs odors; when saving, you need to choose a place without strong aromas.

The most favorable option for keeping a treat is in a dry-freeze refrigerator. A typical cooling device may have high humidity, which is bad for it.

Does natural honey deteriorate over time?

Can honey ferment

Being in the hives, the product can be stored for a long time without losing its useful qualities. At home, subject to certain rules, honey does not deteriorate for a long time. Opinions differ on this. Some experts say that the shelf life of a treat is no more than a year, others think otherwise. Beekeepers say that a product aged over 24 months, on the contrary, becomes more useful and does not lose its qualities.

Why honey doesn't go bad

Is it possible to store honey in a plastic container

This unique, sweet and very healthy treat does not go to waste and always remains edible. Whether honey can go bad or not, is explained by the presence of sugar in its composition, which does not contain much water. In environments with low humidity, bacterial growth is minimal.

This unique, sweet and very healthy treat does not go to waste

According to scientists: “Due to the small amount of liquid in honey, the development of putrefactive processes is impossible. The bacteria just die. " It follows from this that in the event of the inability to multiply in the product, harmful microorganisms cannot spoil it.

The next indicator on which the storage period depends is acidity. It ranges from 3 to 4.5. In such an environment, it is very difficult for bacteria to survive.

Also, the bees themselves affect the duration of the preservation of the treat. This happens when the nectar is processed in the insect's stomach. It contains substances that contribute to the conversion of nectar into honey. It is an enzyme called glucose oxidase. The substance is mixed with the nectar that the bee regurgitates. As a result of a chemical reaction, gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide are produced, which also contribute to the destruction of bacteria. Since honey has the property of hygroscopicity - moisture absorption, it must be stored in a dry place. This gives an even greater guarantee against damage.

The product is still capable of crystallizing, that is, "sugaring". This also contributes to long-term preservation. Only the taste changes slightly. It is allowed to eat it. There is a little secret - the product can be melted in a water bath at 25 degrees.

Conservation violation

How to melt honey

Reasons why honey disappears:

  • The action of ultraviolet rays;
  • Content at t above 20 degrees;
  • Too high air humidity;

If all norms are met, then honey can be stored for a very long time.

Important! If the preservation rules are not followed, even the highest quality, fresh, natural honey can ferment, as it is saturated with moisture from the environment.

  • Content of the product in metal containers;
  • Placement in poorly sealed jars or without a lid at all.

If all norms are met, then honey can be stored for a very long time. The taste, useful properties and its qualities will remain unchanged.

What affects the duration of conservation

Various factors influence the content of honey:

  • Crockery not covered with a lid;
  • The influence of direct sunlight, especially in a transparent container;
  • The degree of warmth exceeding 20 degrees;
  • Preservation in a place with high humidity over 75 percent. Therefore, it is undesirable to keep the product in an electric refrigerator for a long time, as moisture will form inside the can. It will accumulate and ferment, causing spoilage.

Various factors affect honey content

Important! If the honey does not crystallize, it could mean that it is artificial.

Optimal conditions for preserving the product

The creation of a favorable place and conditions for the preservation of delicacies allows you to prolong its positive qualities and the possibility of eating for a long time. The most suitable place is a basement or cellar with low humidity.

To maximize the shelf life you need:

  1. Store the product in a glass container. It is advisable to spread the honey into several small jars, since each time you open the lid, germs and air get inside, leading to a decrease in the shelf life. It is especially important to move it out of plastic dishes. It also deteriorates the quality of the product.
  2. Limit direct sunlight on the jar and use dark glass dishes. Choose a dark place.
  3. Maintain an optimal temperature of 8-15 degrees. Avoid sudden changes.
  4. Do not store honey near strong-smelling substances, as it will absorb odors.
  5. Suitable for the product are dishes other than glass, coated with enamel, nickel or ceramic. Also stored in wooden dishes. Do not use coniferous barrels, as the resin emitted by them will spoil the taste and smell. In oak dishes, honey may turn dark, but this does not mean that the product has deteriorated.
  6. Do not scoop honey with a wet spoon. Water will get into it and it will turn sour.
  7. It is not recommended to place the product in iron, zinc or copper dishes. It can react with these metals and be loaded with harmful chemicals.

In fact, honey retains its beneficial qualities for a long time. To increase this time, you need to follow all the rules to extend the shelf life.