Honey has been valued for its sweet flavor and medicinal uses for thousands of years. This natural sweetener has a reputation for never spoiling – tales of edible honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs have been circulating for ages. But is it really true that honey never expires? Does old or even very old honey actually go bad at some point? Let’s take a closer look at what happens when honey expires and whether it’s safe to eat honey past its expiration date.
Can honey expire or go bad?
Yes, honey can expire and go bad, but it is unlikely to make you sick. Pure honey has a long shelf life and can safely be eaten long after the best-before date on the label.
Honey has a very low moisture content and high acidity, which makes it inhospitable for bacterial growth. Its sugar content also acts as a natural preservative. For this reason, pure honey tends to resist spoiling and can have an indefinite shelf life if stored properly.
However, there are a few exceptions:
- Raw honey may crystallize and change texture over time. This natural process does not mean the honey is unsafe, but it can affect the flavor and appearance.
- Honey can ferment if it absorbs too much water from the air. Fermented honey has a metallic taste and thinner consistency.
- If honey is diluted with water or other ingredients, it is more prone to bacterial growth and spoilage.
The National Honey Board recommends storing honey at room temperature and away from excess moisture to prevent crystallization. Properly stored, honey tends to stay safe to eat for several years after the printed expiration date.
How can you tell if honey has gone bad?
Signs that honey has spoiled and may not be safe to eat include:
- Change in texture – Crystallized honey is safe but has a gritty, thickened texture. Fermented honey looks thinner and more watery.
- Change in scent – Fresh honey smells floral with a hint of sweetness. Spoiled honey may smell yeasty, metallic or sour.
- Change in taste – Fermented honey often tastes bitter, sour or metallic compared to sweeter fresh honey.
- Change in color – Honey darkens with age but spoiled honey may turn brown or black.
- Mold growth – You may see visible mold growing in honey that has spoiled due to moisture.
If your honey exhibits any of these signs, it may have spoiled due to absorption of moisture or pH changes over time. Taste a small amount to determine if it has an off flavor or texture before consuming.
Is crystallized honey still good to eat?
Yes, crystallized or granulated honey is still perfectly safe to eat. The honey takes on a thick, opaque appearance and gritty texture when glucose molecules in the honey spontaneously form crystals. These honey crystals contain the same sugars and nutrients as liquid honey.
Crystallization does not mean honey has spoiled. In fact, many people consider crystallized honey to be a sign of purity, as highly filtered commercial honey is slower to crystallize. Crystals can usually be dissolved by placing the honey jar in warm water and stirring.
Can you eat honey after the expiration date?
It is generally safe to eat honey after the printed expiration date, provided it has been stored properly and has not been contaminated. As honey ages, it may darken, lose its aroma, crystallize or develop a harsh taste, but it does not necessarily pose a health risk.
One study tested honey samples of various ages, up to 106 years old, and found the very old honey maintained antibacterial properties. This research suggests properly preserved honey maintains medicinal benefits over time.
However, take care to check honey for signs it has actually spoiled before eating very old honey. If it smells odd, looks moldy or applies abnormally to the skin, err on the side of caution and throw it away.
How long does honey last? Does it ever go bad?
In ideal storage conditions, honey can remain stable and edible for decades, if not centuries. Based on testing and long human history, it’s clear honey does not easily spoil. There are a few caveats for proper long-term storage:
- Store honey in an airtight container at room temperature. Exposure to moisture from the air can cause fermentation.
- Raw honey may crystallize faster than filtered honey. Decrystallize slowly using low heat like a double boiler.
- If honey looks or smells odd, discard it even if within expiration date. Signs of spoilage override date labels.
The National Honey Board states that “all honey varieties have an indefinite shelf life” when stored under the proper conditions. While honey may slowly lose some aroma, flavor and clarity over time, it resists full spoilage and remains safe to eat.
Does honey need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of honey by slowing crystallization, but it is not required. In fact, honey producers recommend against refrigerating honey for prolonged periods. The ideal way to store honey is in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Why shouldn’t honey be refrigerated?
- Fridge humidity can cause faster crystallization as moisture condenses on the honey.
- Cold temperatures speed up the granulation process in honey.
- Refrigeration may thin honey’s texture slightly, reducing that signature thick, velvety feel.
If you do choose to refrigerate honey, some tips include:
- Use an airtight container and minimize temperature fluctuations.
- Never store honey in the freezer, as freezing will damage its texture.
- If crystallized, gently warm it by placing the jar in warm water until reliquefied.
Can you reuse old honey?
Unused honey that has been sitting in your pantry for a while is perfectly fine to use. Simply inspect and taste it before using:
- If the honey smells and tastes normal, it can be safely reused even if it is several years past the printed date.
- If honey has crystallized, gently warm it to restore liquid state.
- If any mold, odd smell or funny taste develops, it’s best to discard the honey rather than risk eating spoiled product.
Consider reusing old honey in cooking, baking or other applications where you may not notice minor changes in flavor or texture. If the honey tastes fine, it is safe to eat.
What are signs of botulism in honey?
Botulism is extremely rare in honey, but infants under one year old should not eat honey due to risk of infant botulism. For older children and adults, signs of botulism poisoning to watch for include:
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Facial weakness or drooping eyelids
- Blurred or double vision
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (may be initial symptoms)
Seek medical help immediately if experiencing these symptoms after eating honey or any suspicious food. Honey-induced botulism in adults is very uncommon, but always err on the side of caution when health symptoms arise.
Can expired honey make you sick?
Eating small amounts of expired honey is unlikely to cause illness for most people. Honey’s antimicrobial properties prevent dangerous bacteria from growing. However, honey contaminated with toxins or heavy metals can cause illness.
To be safe, look for these signs the honey has truly spoiled and avoid eating it:
- Mold growing on the honey
- Changes in appearance, crystallization does not count
- Odd flavors not characteristic of honey
If sourced from a reputable beekeeper or brand, thoroughly inspected, and properly handled, most expired honey poses little health risks. When in doubt, throw it out.
Can babies eat expired honey?
No, babies and infants under one year old should never be given honey, whether expired or not. Honey may contain dormant endospores of Clostridium botulinum, which can lead to infant botulism poisoning in immature digestive systems.
In even small amounts, honey poses a botulism risk for infants. Food safety agencies universally advise against giving infants any unpasteurized honey at all until 12 months of age. This applies whether the honey is freshly harvested or many years expired.
Should you bake or cook with expired honey?
Baking and cooking are some of the safest and tastiest ways to use honey that is past its prime. The National Honey Board recommends substituting older honey in recipes where any unwanted flavors will be masked by other ingredients.
Ways to use up that old jar of honey in your pantry include:
- Sweetening baked goods – muffins, cakes, cookies
- Glazing roasted vegetables or meat
- Mixing into barbecue sauce or marinades
- Stirring into oatmeal, yogurt, or overnight oats
- Sweetening coffee, tea, or smoothies
High temperatures during baking will remove any risk of botulism spores being present. The other added ingredients help cover up any texture or flavor changes in aged honey. Get creative with recipes as a safe way to use up honey past its prime.
Can you reverse honey crystallization?
Yes, crystallized honey can be decrystallized and returned to its original liquid state. To reverse honey crystallization:
- Fill a bowl with warm water from the tap, around 104-140°F – hot enough to feel very warm but not scalding.
- Remove honey lid and place closed honey jar in water bath. Do not get any water in the honey.
- Leave the honey jar in the hot water for 20-30 minutes, until crystals fully dissolve.
- Stir honey gently every 5 minutes or so to help dissolve crystals.
- Remove honey from water bath once crystals are dissolved and liquefied again.
- Let honey cool and then replace lid. Honey can be left in liquid state or may recrystallize over time.
Never microwave honey or get it boiling hot, as this can damage the beneficial enzymes and flavors. With some gentle warming, crystallized honey can be decrystallized and restored to liquid.
Conclusion
While honey doesn’t spoil easily, it can expire and crystallize over time. Discard honey that smells or looks odd. However, normal granulation does not make honey unsafe to eat. Honeystored properly in an airtight container may remain good for many years past the printed expiration date. Older honey may be better suited for cooking rather than eating as is. Babies under one year should never consume honey due to infant botulism concerns. With safe handling and storage, honey can remain shelf-stable and consumable long past its prime.