Shelf Life of Honey
Can honey go bad?
When stored correctly, honey does not go bad. Even after the best-before date has passed, this natural product is generally still edible. The law requires a best-before date for every food product. For honey, this is two years after bottling. In fact, when stored correctly, honey is often still shelf-stable for more than three years — the decisive factor is its low water content: The German Honey Ordinance stipulates a maximum water content of 20%.
Improper handling causes fermentation
With improper handling or unhygienic bottling, honey can ferment. It then develops an alcoholic, very fruity taste and forms bubbles. Fermented honey is even considered a delicacy in some cultures — it forms the basis for mead and is still suitable for baking.
Tip: Always use a clean, dry spoon when taking honey out of the jar. Proper storage also prevents fermentation processes.
Crystallization processes in honey are natural
Crystallized honey is not bad — on the contrary: this natural process is a sign of the quality of an unprocessed honey. Due to pollen and the crystallization of sugar, honey solidifies over time. Honey that has been heavily filtered industrially contains less pollen and remains liquid longer, but has lost natural components.
Layering in honey is harmless
Even with optimal storage, the structure of the honey can change. With crystallization, white grains sometimes form on the edge of the glass or on the surface. Beekeepers call this so-called phase separation. It is completely harmless and does not affect the taste or quality of the honey.
