What is the shelf life of natural honey and the conditions for its storage

Shelf life of natural honey according to GOST

Properly harvested natural honey without preservatives can be stored 5–6 years. At the same time, it will not grow moldy and ferment. True, according to Russian GOST, its shelf life ranges from 8 to 12 months, depending on storage conditions.

This is due to the fact that after this time, the biologically active substances contained in it begin to disintegrate. The bee product begins to lose its medicinal properties, becomes sugary-sweet and loses its herbal flavor.

Video «Proper storage of honey»

From this video you will learn in what conditions honey must be stored.

What determines the storage duration

The storage time of honey depends on its variety, pumping time and chemical composition. Dark varieties store faster than light varieties. The product, pumped out until it is fully ripe in the hive, will become sugar faster, water will appear in it, and fermentation processes will begin.

The diet of bees is also important. If the beekeeper often feeds them with sugar syrup, the product will not contain vitamins and natural preservatives that slow down the destructive processes. If the composition contains a high content of honeydew – substances collected from trees - then the shelf life will be halved.

Temperature

Honey should be stored between -6 and +18 ° C. At room temperature, it loses some of its useful properties, quickly becomes sugar-coated, and disintegrates into layers. Heating above + 35 ° C is fraught with the complete destruction of vitamins and amino acids. Subzero temperatures do not affect the quality of the bee product.

When storing, it should be borne in mind that temperature drops can also reduce the medicinal qualities of the product and shorten its shelf life.

Humidity

Honey has the ability to absorb moisture from the environment. The product becomes watery, stratified, loses its taste. Therefore, the humidity is above 70–75% is fatal to him. The optimal indicator is 50–60%. If it is not possible to adjust the humidity in the room, the container should be closed as tightly as possible with a lid.

Container

When stored in iron and zinc containers, the oxidation process takes place. An unpleasant metallic taste appears, some of the medicinal qualities are lost. Such a product cannot be used in cooking. It also absorbs the taste and smell of unlacquered wooden containers.

Transparent glass does not protect it from sunlight, which negatively affects the quality. Chipped enamel can also add an unnatural taste.

The best option – dark glass or clean enamel dishes.

In extreme cases, food grade plastic can be used, but in this case, it is better to store the product no more than 3–4 months.

Tightness

The lid that closes the container should fit as tightly as possible to the neck. The airtightness will help protect the vulnerable bee product from unwanted odors and high humidity. If a suitable lid cannot be found, honey can be stored for no more than 1–2 months.

Crystallization

The shelf life depends on the time of crystallization, or sugaring. This is a process of solidification, which is natural for any natural honey. Crystallized product is less affected by environmental conditions. So the sooner it becomes sugared, the longer it can be stored.

Shelf life of honeycomb

Honey in combs can be stored for 2-3 years. This is due to the content of propolis and natural preservatives in them, which extend its shelf life.

Better to place them in a cool, dark place. They are also threatened by the wax moth, which can damage the walls of the combs and spoil the honey with eggs and larvae.

To prevent this from happening, the room must be regularly ventilated. To avoid the appearance of mold, you need to regularly inspect the purchased frames and remove the fungus at the first sign of its appearance.

Storage rules

So that honey does not deteriorate and does not lose its useful qualities, you need to know what rules for its storage must be followed.

At home

Store honey in a cool place. The temperature should not rise above 18–20 ° C. It is better if it is constant, since sudden changes destroy the structure of the product. It can begin to exfoliate, release water and ferment.

Humidity should not rise above 75%. The bee product absorbs moisture in the air and stores it in itself. Do not keep the product near a washbasin, bathtub or other sources of water. It is better to close the jar tightly with a lid and, if possible, wrap it with a material that absorbs moisture.

Sunlight is also the enemy of honey. Direct rays heat the container, which contributes to the destruction of nutrients in its composition. Lighting increases the speed of the natural chemical processes in honey. The substances responsible for killing microbes break down, and it becomes vulnerable to the development of the fungus.

In no case should honey be stored next to products that have a pungent smell. Keep containers away from paint, gasoline, fish, spices and other aromatic foods. Even the sealed lid does not protect from absorption. Already after 2–3 days of storage next to such odors, they will penetrate into the jar. After 1–After 2 months, a foreign taste may even appear.

In the fridge

If honey is stored in the refrigerator, then it is better to allocate a separate shelf for it and in no case should it be placed next to pungent-smelling products. It is better to store it in a dark glass container.

But the refrigerator can only be used as a temporary storage location. You can put the product there in summer, when the temperature in the apartment is too high. Firstly, too low a temperature negatively affects the taste and color of honey. Secondly, condensation, harmful to honey, forms on the walls of the refrigerator.

How to identify tainted honey

A fermented product is considered spoiled honey. This process can begin due to excess moisture in the composition. It has a sour smell and may have a bitter taste. Depending on how much time has passed since pumping out, a white film or water with bubbles on the surface may appear.

Honey is a tasty and healthy bee gift that preserves and strengthens health.In order to store it correctly, you just need to choose the right container for keeping it, observe temperature conditions and maintain the humidity level.