Honey Storage Tips - Keep Your Honey Fresh and Flavorful

Honey Storage: One of the best things about honey is that it doesn't spoil quickly.

But, you do need to store it properly so it retains its wonderful texture and flavor.

When you store it ordinary glass jars or those well-known bear-shaped plastic containers, it can stay fresh for about two years in your pantry or cupboard.

Short-term Storage

The best way of storing honey is in jars or containers at cool room temperatures.

There is no need to put it in the refrigerator and honey is certainly easier to use when it hasn't been chilled. Temperatures that range between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your honey fresh. Never store it near your stove or oven.

Extreme temperature changes can cause honey to change color and lose some of its flavor.

Honey should also be kept away from sunlight.

Kitchen cupboards or pantries work well for honey storage. Just make sure your pantry or cupboard isn't too close to heat. Even better, put it in a cupboard that is not opened very often.

Glass jars are ideal for storing your honey.

Always make sure the jars are tightly sealed because honey can absorb odors and moisture when it is exposed to air. Bacteria doesn't grow easily in honey since it contains very little water, but improperly sealed containers could cause it to spoil.

It's not a good idea to store your honey in non-food plastic containers or metal containers because they can cause honey to oxidize.

Non-food plastic containers may leach harmful chemicals into the honey which could cause health issues.

Long-term Storage

When honey gets older, it may solidify and crystallize.

This process is natural and can take place anywhere from three to six months after you first opened the container. Actually, if this doesn't happen you may not have natural honey.

It also gets darker with age which could change the flavor. You may notice significant changes in less that one year.

Freezing can stop these unwanted changes. If you don't plan to use your honey for a couple of months or longer, you should think about freezing it. Just make sure you put it in a container that has extra room, because honey will expand when it freezes.

You can keep it in the freezer for a couple of years.

This is an easy way to preserve the natural goodness of your honey.

It's best to thaw honey at room temperatures (in tightly sealed containers) when you are ready to use it.

Silicone trays makes for easy cube removal

Helpful Tips

If your honey starts to solidify or form sugar crystals, just put the container in a bowl or pan with warm water until the crystals dissolve. I sometimes put mine in the oven with only the light on over night.
Freeze your honey in clean ice-cube trays. After freezing, put the honey cubes in a zip-top bag that has been labeled with the date. This is a great idea when you only need honey once in awhile.
Don't store honey in the refrigerator when you are thawing it. This could cause it to crystallize.
It's time to throw your honey out if it smells sour or has visible mold growth, from dipping utensils in with food particles on it.

When you follow these simple honey storage tips for storing honey, you will not only be able to enjoy it for a very long time, but you will also retain its delicious flavor and beautiful color.