Many people may wonder if honey has an expiration date and how long they should keep it. In reality, honey comes in different types: pure honey, honey mixed with sugar, and honey made entirely from sugar.
A study conducted by the University of California showed that pure honey has almost zero moisture, so bacteria cannot grow or survive in pure honey, which means it almost never spoils and can be kept for a very long time. This study also suggested that if honey spoils, it may have been adulterated with impurities.
Therefore, when buying honey, you will realize that pure honey is very rare. Honey that changes color over time indicates that it has been processed, but to varying degrees.
How to identify genuine honey
Testing honey with fresh onions
Honey can ripen certain foods such as eggs and onions. So you can pour honey into a bowl with onion leaves and observe. If the onion leaves wither quickly, it is true honey, but if it takes a long time, it is sugar honey.
Observing external characteristics
Genuine honey has bubbles on the surface, while sugar honey and fake honey do not. Most genuine honey crystals at temperatures below 14°C and melts at temperatures above 20°C. Fake honey will not crystallize, feels rough to the touch, while genuine honey is smooth and highly adhesive.
Drop honey into a glass of cold water
When you drop honey into cold water, genuine honey will form a round shape, sink to the bottom, and not dissolve, while sugar honey and honey made from sweeteners and sugar will dissolve quickly in water.
Use oil-absorbing paper or newspaper
Drop a drop of honey onto the surface of the paper. If the honey stays in a round shape, dissolves slowly, or does not dissolve, it is genuine honey. If the honey quickly spreads and absorbs into the paper, it is not pure honey. Genuine honey has very low water content, so it does not quickly absorb into paper.
Use fire
You put honey in a stainless steel spoon and heat it over the fire. When the water evaporates, let the honey cool naturally. Observe if the residue is soft, it is pure honey; if the residue is hard, it is honey mixed with sugar.
Use iodine salt
If the honey is adulterated, when mixed with iodine salt, it will turn green or blue, indicating the presence of starch and sugar in the honey. If the honey floats and turns white, it indicates that the honey is mixed with sugar syrup.
Use chicken eggs
Genuine honey will cook the egg yolk. Therefore, separate the egg yolk and pour honey over it, soaking it completely, for 5-7 hours in a cool place. If you find that the egg yolk is cooked or partially cooked, it is pure honey. If the yolk does not change much, it is fake honey.
Put honey in the refrigerator
Pour a moderate amount of honey into a glass container and place it in the freezer for 7 hours to 1 day. When you take the honey out of the refrigerator and find that it has solidified but remains soft and sometimes has some sediment like sugar, it is fake honey. Genuine honey will solidify but still have a chewy texture like taffy, toffee, without being hard and brittle like fake honey or honey mixed with sugar.
How long to use honey
In reality, it is difficult for us to have 100% pure honey that can last for hundreds of years like ancient honey varieties. Therefore, when buying honey, you should follow the manufacturer’s expiration date. As for honey sold directly from farmer to farmer, it will last for about 2 – 3 years. If it is pure honey, it can last for several decades.
If you smell fermented honey, sour honey, or honey turns dark, it means the honey is no longer usable.
How to store honey for a long time
To store honey for a long time, you should use plastic or glass bottles, store honey at temperatures around 21 – 26 degrees Celsius. Especially, keep honey away from sunlight, avoid damp places, avoid high temperatures, do not place it near the stove, and do not store it in the refrigerator.
Absolutely do not use metal or wooden jars to store honey, as they will cause it to lose its aroma and produce harmful toxins.
Do not seal the honey too tightly, as it will release gas, causing it to erupt when tightly sealed. Occasionally, you should swirl it to release gas in the container. Do not place honey on a cold ground as it will cause the honey to crystallize.
Pure Honey’>Tips for Preserving Pure Honey
Pure honey is susceptible to quality degradation or alteration if not properly stored. Home cooks can apply the following tips:
