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Does Honey Need to Be Refrigerated?
Honey doesn’t need to be refrigerated. In fact, it’s best not to put it in the fridge at all.
Why?
Because honey crystallizes faster when exposed to cold temperatures. Crystallized honey occurs when the honey goes from a liquid state to a solid one. When this happens, you’ll notice your honey jar is filled with clumps of sugar crystals.
But make no mistake.
Crystallized honey isn’t bad honey. It’s just honey in solid form.
Thankfully, crystallized honey can be warmed up and liquified again. You can also eat crystallized honey just as it is if you prefer the gritty texture.
With that said, you might be asking…
How do I store my honey?
For one, honey should be stored at room temperature.
Room temperature is defined differently among people. But, it typically means the room is kept between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing your honey in a cabinet or shelf will do the trick.
Be sure to keep it away from the stove or any appliances that heat the honey.
Secondly, keep the lid sealed tight.
You don’t want to add any moisture or bacteria to your honey. Excess moisture can lead to fermentation, giving the honey an acidic taste and smell.
To avoid this, ensure your jar is airtight and only use dry, clean utensils when dipping into your honey.
I Accidentally Put My Honey in the Fridge. What Now?
Don’t worry.
Your honey is still fine even if you’ve refrigerated it. Refrigerating honey doesn’t ruin it, but it definitely isn’t necessary.
If your honey has been in the fridge for several days or longer, it’ll probably be crystallized. As we discussed earlier, this is perfectly normal and easy to fix.
Just place the honey jar in a pot of hot water.
The heat from the water will gradually liquify the honey. However, you may have to reheat the water several times until the honey is fully liquified.
Remember to stir the honey occasionally to break up the honey crystals. Once it’s back to its liquid state, transfer it to a cabinet or shelf to be kept at room temperature.
How Long Does Honey Last Once Opened?
When stored correctly, honey is one of the rare foods that never expire.
That’s right.
Honey has an indefinite shelf life. In fact, 3,000-year-old honey was discovered in the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh. The honey was still edible and delicious.
Bacteria can’t grow in honey because of its low moisture and high acidity content.
So technically, you can pass down a jar of honey to your great-grandchildren if you want to.
With that in mind, honey may gradually darken in color over time. It’ll also start to form tiny crystals, even if stored at room temperature.
Crystallization is a natural process that all raw honey goes through. It may take some types of honey a few months to crystallize, while it takes a few years for others.
This is because some kinds of honey have a higher glucose content than others.
For example, goldenrod honey is known for crystallizing much faster than acacia honey. However, crystallized honey is still perfectly good to eat. You just have to heat it to liquify it again.
FAQs on “Does Honey Need to Be Refrigerated?”
- How long does honey last once opened?
- How long can honey be stored at room temperature?
- How can you tell if honey is spoiled?
- Does honey need to be refrigerated after opening?
- Does raw honey need to be refrigerated?
- Does processed honey need to be refrigerated?
How long does honey last once opened?
Honey has an indefinite shelf life and can be stored at room temperature. However, it may gradually darken in color over time and start to form tiny crystals. This does not mean the honey has gone bad. Instead, these are natural changes that all raw honey goes through.
If you want to restore the honey to its liquid state, simply heat it until the crystals dissolve.
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How long can honey be stored at room temperature?
Honey can be stored at room temperature forever. Honey never goes bad if stored correctly. However, excess moisture can lead to fermentation if the honey is not adequately sealed. To avoid this, ensure the lid is tight, and only use dry, clean utensils when dipping into your honey.
If you accidentally put your honey in the fridge, don’t worry. It is still perfectly good honey.
But, if it has been in the refrigerator for a long time, it will probably be crystallized. This is because honey is primarily made up of glucose and fructose, and when exposed to cold temperatures, the honey forms crystals.
You can easily fix this by removing the honey from the fridge and placing the jar in a pot of hot water. Gradually heating the honey will make it liquid. If it is not fully liquid, you may need to reheat the water multiple times until it does the trick.
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How can you tell if honey is spoiled?
Honey will very rarely spoil if it is stored properly. That said, if the honey isn’t kept in an airtight jar so it can be free from moisture, then it may ferment.
If this happens, you’ll notice the honey will change color and develop a bubbly texture. It will also have a sour smell.
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Does honey need to be refrigerated after opening?
No, honey does not need to be refrigerated after opening. It’s actually best to store honey at room temperature.
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Does raw honey need to be refrigerated?
No, raw honey doesn’t need to be refrigerated. It should be kept at room temperature in a cabinet, pantry, or shelf.
Raw honey is honey left in its natural state, just as the honeybees created it inside the hive. It hasn’t been heated, pasteurized, or diluted with other ingredients.
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Does processed honey need to be refrigerated?
No, processed honey doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Processed honey has been heated, pasteurized, and/or diluted with other ingredients. By processing the honey, manufacturers hope to increase its sweetness, smooth out the texture, and reduce costs.
Some companies will also add artificial flavors and colors to processed honey. This type of honey still doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but it also doesn’t have the same health benefits as raw honey.
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