Honey is known for its incredibly long shelf life. In fact, honey is one of the few foods that can essentially last forever if stored properly. But what happens once a jar of honey is opened? How long does honey last after opening?
Does Honey Go Bad After Opening?
The short answer is no, honey does not go bad after opening. As long as it is properly stored, honey’s quality and safety will remain unchanged for many years, even if the jar has been opened. This is thanks to honey’s unique properties.
Honey is low in moisture and high in sugar. Its low moisture content prevents growth of microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts and molds. The high sugar content also helps prevent spoilage by creating an environment with very little available water. This makes it difficult for microbes to thrive. Honey also contains substances like hydrogen peroxide that give it antibacterial properties, further protecting it from spoilage.
For these reasons, honey can remain perfectly safe to eat for decades, as long as it is stored properly to prevent excess moisture from getting in. In fact, archaeologists have found edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs over 3000 years old!
How to Store Opened Honey
To get the longest shelf life out of a jar of honey after opening, it is important to seal and store it correctly:
- Replace the lid tightly after each use.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from excess moisture and heat.
- Do not store honey in the refrigerator, as the cold humid environment can cause condensation inside the jar and liquefy honey faster.
- Store honey away from direct light, as light can degrade honey over time.
- If possible, store honey in an airtight container like a plastic or glass jar. This prevents moisture absorption.
As long as opened honey is stored using these guidelines, it will remain perfectly safe to eat and retain its quality essentially indefinitely.
Signs Honey Has Gone Bad
Although honey has an extraordinarily long shelf life after opening, it can eventually go bad if not stored properly for a very long time. Here are some signs your opened honey may have gone bad:
- Change in texture: Fresh, high-quality honey has a smooth, uniform texture. If it becomes grainy, thin or foamy, this can indicate spoilage.
- Change in color: Honey tends to darken with age but should not become very pale or dark brown. Odd colors like blue, green or black indicate spoilage.
- Fermentation: You may see bubbles in the honey or sense a “fizzy” quality. This means yeasts have caused fermentation.
- Cloudiness: Honey is naturally clear or translucent. Cloudiness or haziness indicates crystallization or contamination.
- Mold growth: You may see fuzzy mold colonies or filaments of mold growing in old, contaminated honey.
- Off odors: Fresh honey has a delicate, floral aroma. A foul, rotten or yeasty smell means it has spoilt.
Honey that displays any of these characteristics should be discarded.
How Long Does Honey Last After Opening?
An opened jar of honey stored correctly in a cool, dry place will stay perfectly safe to eat and retain its quality essentially forever:
- Pantry or cupboard: 2+ years
- Refrigerator: 5-6 years (not recommended as this can cause early crystallization)
Honey may eventually darken, lose its fragrance and crystallize over decades but it will remain safe to eat. Archaeologists have tasted thousand-year-old honey from ancient pots and found it still preserved!
However, honey’s quality and texture can decline more quickly if not stored properly. At room temperature or warmer, honey can start losing its floral fragrance within a few months. If you notice your honey becoming more crystalline, this is a sign it may be degrading.
For the best quality and texture, use opened honey within:
- 1 year: Honey keeps perfectly but some subtle flavor and aroma loss over time.
- 2 years: Increased crystallization but still edible if stored properly.
If honey crystallizes, it can be returned to liquid form by placing the jar in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
Does Refrigeration Extend Honey’s Shelf Life?
Contrary to popular belief, refrigerating honey is not the best way to get the longest shelf life after opening. In fact, the cold, humid conditions in the fridge can have detrimental effects by accelerating crystallization and potential fermentation.
While refrigeration can slightly extend honey’s shelf life by slowing down chemical reactions, proper storage at room temperature results in the least crystallization and highest quality honey over many years.
Does Freezing Honey Extend Its Shelf Life?
Freezing is not recommended for long-term storage of honey. The freezing and thawing process tends to accelerate the speed at which honey crystallizes. It also negatively impacts honey’s texture, causing it to become thicker and grainy over time.
However, freezing can extend shelf life if honey will be used within 6-12 months. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace at the top before freezing, as honey expands when frozen.
Does Heating or Boiling Prolong Honey’s Shelf Life?
Heating honey can restart the crystallization process and will not make it last longer. Boiling can damage the delicate aromas and flavors that make honey unique.
However, you can gently warm crystallized honey to turn it temporarily back into liquid form for a short time. Do not let it boil or scorch.
Tips for Maximizing Opened Honey’s Shelf Life
Here are some useful tips for getting the longest shelf life and best quality out of your honey after opening the jar:
- When first opening a new jar of honey, make sure to use a clean, dry utensil to prevent introducing moisture or contaminants.
- Always re-seal the lid tightly after each use.
- Store honey at room temperature in a cupboard or pantry away from excess heat or moisture.
- Keep in a dry, airtight container if possible.
- Remember that honey naturally crystallizes over time. Gently warm to reliquify if needed.
- If honey crystallizes into one solid mass, try crushing it into smaller grains for easier reliquifying.
- Consume opened honey within 1-2 years for best flavor and texture.
- Look for signs of fermentation like bubbling, cloudiness or off odors before eating very old honey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does honey need to be refrigerated after opening?
No, refrigeration is not necessary and can actually cause honey to crystallize and degrade faster. Room temperature storage is best.
Can you get botulism from honey?
Botulism spores are destroyed by honey’s low moisture, high acidity and antimicrobial properties. Properly handled honey carries no risk of botulism.
Why does my honey container say “discard after opening”?
This is mainly for commercial reasons, not because opened honey goes bad. As long as stored properly, honey lasts indefinitely.
Can crystallized honey make you sick?
No, crystallized honey is still perfectly safe to eat. Crystallization does not indicate spoilage. Simply reliquify crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water.
Is it safe to eat very old honey?
There is no safety risk to eating aged honey, but its quality declines over decades. Very old honey may have poor texture and flavor.
Can too much honey cause health problems?
Eating high amounts of honey daily can cause issues like weight gain. Moderation is key, but honey is very safe in normal food amounts.
Conclusion
Honey has an extraordinarily long shelf life, even after a jar is opened. Thanks to its special properties, it can remain fresh and safe at room temperature essentially forever. For best quality, use opened honey within 1-2 years. Refrigeration is not needed and can do more harm than good for honey’s texture.
While honey won’t truly go bad if stored properly, its quality can start to decline after a very long time. If honey ever crystallizes, becomes foamy or has an off aroma or appearance, it should be discarded.
By following storage guidelines like sealing jars and keeping away from excess moisture, opened honey can remain a sweet, golden liquid for many years to come!