The benefits of honey are undeniable. It contains high amounts of antioxidants, over 10 vitamins and minerals, and bioactive plant compounds. We love it for its magical multifaceted taste, warm aroma, cozy associations with childhood, and aesthetic beauty. It is difficult to take your eyes off the viscous amber stream pouring from a spoon onto a portion of fritters. Is it possible how to store honey? We will figure out how to choose the right dishes, how long honey retains its beneficial properties, and whether it spoils without a refrigerator.
How To Store Honey? – At Home
Honey requires careful handling. Therefore, intuitively, many people choose a refrigerator as a place of storage. It meets the main principles of storage – dark, dry, and cool. Under the influence of direct sunlight, many useful substances break down. It will retain the taste, but not the benefit. Temperatures above 20 degrees also lead to changes in its properties.
Too much moisture can cause fermentation. Visually, it will increase in volume. There will be a foreign taste and smell. Even in this state, it will remain safe for health, but you won’t want to eat it – it smells too unappetizing.
Honey may crystallize in the refrigerator. These are only external changes that do not affect the taste and benefits. In fact, honey is a saturated solution of sugars. And sugar always crystallizes. Don’t like the look? Melt it over low heat (not higher than 40 C)
Can honey be stored outside of the refrigerator? Yes, if the air temperature in the kitchen cabinet where you plan to put it is not higher than 20 degrees. In a city apartment in the cold season, most balcony cabinets meet these requirements.
Honey is also stored in honeycombs. Just cut the honeycomb into pieces, send it to the container, and the container to a dry, dark, and cool place.
What else to consider? Honey absorbs odors easily. It will be next to pickles or fish – it will smell the same. Keep track of the commodity neighborhood and use airtight containers. By following these simple steps mentioned here you can store honey at home.
Should you freeze honey?
It will not affect its beneficial properties. Honey freezes at a temperature of -36 C, its volume decreases by about 10%. Bonus when freezing – no crystallization reaction (what we usually call “candied”) will occur. But it is not necessary to re-freeze the melted one – there will be no benefit in it.
Choosing dishes
Storage utensils should be airtight, with a tight lid, and made of materials that do not absorb or let in odors.
Glass jars with lids are great if you don’t plan to keep the container on the table all the time. Clear glass lets in harmful light.
What other containers are suitable?
- Ceramics are also suitable for storage. Protects from light, odors, and moisture. Pay attention to the integrity of the coating, chips are unacceptable.
- Honey can be stored in aluminum and stainless steel containers if there are no chips in the coating.
- Plastic containers are acceptable as a temporary option. But after a year, honey will begin to absorb chemicals from the walls of the container.
- Iron utensils are not suitable, as they oxidize and spoil the taste of honey. For the same reason, do not use iron spoons and do not leave them in the jar.
- Zinc and copper are not friends with honey. From prolonged contact with them, it becomes toxic.
Does honey have an expiration date?
How long can you store it so that it does not lose its beneficial properties? Be guided by the terms specified in GOST. In a sealed container – 2 years from the date of packaging. Long enough for you to enjoy its taste and benefits until the next season. If the container is open, the period is reduced to 8 months. Did you add nuts? Likewise.
Does it spoil after the specified time? No. But unique enzymes and microelements begin to break down, and instead of a healthy product, a sweet dessert mass is obtained.
Summer and autumn are the best time to replenish your home honey supplies until next year. Keep it dark and cool. Make sure that there are no products with a strong smell in the neighborhood. Choose an airtight container made of glass, ceramic, stainless steel, and aluminum for storage. Simple rules will help preserve the beneficial properties of honey and recharge it with summer warmth on cold days