No, you generally do not need to refrigerate Manuka honey after opening; in fact, it's best stored at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry to maintain its texture and properties, as refrigeration causes it to crystallize and harden, making it difficult to use. Keep the lid tightly sealed and avoid heat or direct sunlight, using a clean, dry spoon to scoop it to prevent moisture absorption and fermentation, which can degrade quality.
Key Shelf Life Facts:
Unopened mānuka honey: Typically remains stable for 3 - 5 years (and often longer) from the date of packaging. Opened mānuka honey: Can still last 2 - 3 years if stored correctly, with little degradation in taste or potency quality.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
Honey doesn't spoil in the way most foods do. Instead of “going bad,” it simply evolves, becoming thicker, darker, or developing crystals over time. These natural changes don't affect safety as long as the honey has been kept sealed and protected from added moisture.
A honey well known for its antibacterial properties is manuka honey, which is obtained from manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) and contains substantial amounts of methylglyoxal (MGO). Methylglyoxal harbors selective toxicity to bacterial cells, causing bacterial cell death and inhibition of bacterial replication.
You can eat Manuka honey every day in small amounts. It's safe for most healthy adults, and it may give you benefits such as soothing a sore throat or supporting digestion. But it's still sugar, so too much can raise your blood sugar or add extra calories.
Healing the Gut Lining
Mānuka honey may help restore and protect gut lining integrity, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing properties.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Manuka Honey is genuine New Zealand-sourced honey with UMF certification (typically UMF 10+ or 15+). Prices run $20-$30 for 17.6oz—roughly 30% cheaper than specialty brands. Always check the UMF logo and batch number on the jar. Not safe for infants under 1 year due to botulism risk.
The USDA states that honey is safe to eat even after expiration, but its quality may decline. Honey expiration is rare; naturally, properly preserved honey can last thousands of years without expiring. Archaeologists have found honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that is still perfectly edible.
The Case for Recycled Plastic (rPET)
Safe and effective: rPET protects the product and ensures the safe delivery of Manuka honey without compromising its quality.
The Best Way To Store Honey
Glass or food-safe plastic containers are best, and a tight seal is key to minimize air exposure. Avoid refrigeration, which can cause crystallization.
Store it in Glass or Food-Safe Plastic
Manuka honey often comes in sturdy, food-safe plastic jars or glass containers. Stick with these. Don't transfer your honey to metal or non-food-safe materials, as they can alter its taste or quality.
Yes, honey is generally considered healthier than refined sugar because it contains beneficial antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, plus it has a lower glycemic index, causing a slower rise in blood sugar; however, it's still a sugar, so moderation is crucial as both add calories and affect blood glucose. While honey offers added nutrients, it's not a "health food," but a more natural sweetener with a slight nutritional edge over empty-calorie sugar.
Glass is non-permeable unlike plastic, and you can see the contents to initially judge the quality and overall appearance. Aside from the possibility of glass breakage, which is very low when handled with care, glass is safer for honey storage than plastic.
Heating up to 40°C (104 F) destroys invertase, an important enzyme. Heating up to 50°C (122 F) for more than 48 hrs. turns the honey into caramel (the most valuable honey sugars become analogous to sugar). Heating honey higher than 140 degrees F for more than 2 hours will cause rapid degradation.
No, honey does not go bad. Because honey has a low water content and high acidity, it's an unfriendly place for bacteria to thrive. As long as the lid stays on and the honey stays free of added moisture, honey can be stored in the cupboard indefinitely.
There's actually nothing wrong with crystallized honey—and in fact, in Europe, honey is usually sold in that thicker, crystallized form, Fauvel says. That makes it much less messy to use, as it's less likely to drip or ooze off your toast or spoon.
Bad honey can show signs like crystallization, cloudiness, unusual colors, or the presence of foam and foreign particles. Off smells or sour odors and bitter or strange flavors also indicate spoilage. Always check these signs to ensure honey is safe to consume.
Manuka honey doesn't expire in the way perishable foods do. Thanks to its low moisture content, natural acidity, and powerful compounds, it can last for years if stored properly. While the “best before” date on your jar reflects peak quality—typically set at three years—it's not a sign of spoilage.
Manuka honey boasts many natural, beneficial properties that make it healthy, too. Eating it regularly in small amounts (a spoonful a day) is recommended. If you're using it as an alternative to sugar and natural sweeteners, manuka honey is absolutely the best option. Let's draw some inspiration from Oscar Wilde here.
How to identify authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand
The company says: “We use the word 'active' as genuine manuka honey, such as Aldi's, must contain pollen from the manuka bush, which is only found in New Zealand,” says Giles Hurley, MD of corporate buying at Aldi.
It is particularly used for lungs and intestines. In fact, it is used as a laxative in case of constipation, as an emollient in chronic bronchitis, it relieves inflammation of the mouth and throat, while it is not recommended in case of chronic diarrhea and in newborns as they are very sensitive to its laxative action.
Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, studies show Manuka honey can help with supporting joint pain and inflammation, and improving mobility.