In general, honey doesn't spoil. However, it can go bad if it's contaminated or incorrectly stored. If your honey has visible mold, or if it smells fermented or "off," then it's time to toss it.
A: Honey doesn't really expire. It has been said that it remains as good as it was when it was extracted. As long as it is stored properly (out of direct sunlight, not exposed to direct heat and isn't frozen) it will last well beyond it's best before date.
Surprisingly, monofloral Mānuka honey is one of the few substances on Earth that won't expire if stored properly. The only factors that will cause Mānuka honey to go bad are poor storage and contamination.
Over time, honey will turn darker, cloudier, and crystallize. If this happens, there's no cause for alarm. The honey is still perfectly safe to consume.
When honey is getting bad, it develops a cloudy yellow color instead of a clear golden one — the texture then becomes thicker until it's grainy. Once it's finally considered “bad,” the color becomes white, and the texture gets hard. This whole process is because of the crystallization of honey for a long time.
When it's stored properly, honey never goes bad, Grad said in an interview with Allrecipes. "Honey will darken and/or crystallize, but it is still safe to eat," she said. Metal or plastic containers can oxidize the honey, and heat can change its flavor.
However, Mānuka honey has been noted for having a more distinctive aroma. The popular Honey Traveler website described this gift from nature as “aromatic with damp earth and heather notes and a cool menthol (or eucalyptus) taste and rich flavour of mineral, barley, sugar and herbs.”
Honey never expires. The healthy sweetener—which contains antibacterial proteins and enzymes as well as plenty of antioxidants—is good forever. Seriously. Kept sealed in an airtight container, the National Honey Board says honey remains edible indefinitely—even if it crystalizes or darkens over time.
While honey never spoils, it may change color (from clear to cloudy) or texture (thicker and grainier) over time. That's ok! Unless your honey becomes exposed to moisture and ferments (which will be super obvious), it's safe to consume.
Natural, properly preserved honey will not expire. In fact, archeologists found honey thousands of years old in ancient Egyptian tombs, and it was still good!
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.
Manuka Honey's Special Case: Normally, Manuka honey has a “best by” date of three years after packing. Expiry dates in Manuka honey are primarily used to indicate the product quality. This is because Manuka honey derives its potency from its MGO levels which grow over time and then begin to decline.
Children: It is not recommended for children under 12 months to consume manuka honey. Children older than 12 months can consume it in small amounts.
Is manuka honey safe for everyone? Honey is safe for most adults however, it must be avoided if you are allergic to honey or bees. Those with diabetes also need to be careful around their blood sugar levels when consuming manuka honey, as it is high in sugar.
Honey is best stored in your kitchen cupboard or pantry. That's because it's a coolish spot, out of direct sunlight. Between 10-20°C/50-68°F is perfect – as this temperature will keep it stable in the jar and not let it get too runny. And keep the lid tightly closed after each time to use it.
Crystallization occurs because of the natural qualities inside. The natural sugars in honey (glucose and fructose) will bind together and begin to form little crystals, which can start making your honey harder. With differing blends, some honey will begin to crystallize faster than others.
Most bacteria and other microbes cannot grow or reproduce in honey i.e. they are dormant and this is due to antibacterial activity of honey. Various bacteria have been inoculated into aseptically collected honey held at 20°C. The result showed loss of bacterial viability within 8–24 days 27.
Keep container in an area that will stay at average room temperature. Because honey is best stored at room temperature (somewhere between 64 to 75 F), keeping your container of honey on a shelf or in your pantry is recommended.
What is the white layer of foam on top of my liquid honey? This foam is nothing more than air bubbles. Honey contains many air molecules that will rise to the surface over time. Give it a good stir and the honey will be nice and smooth again.
Why does honey become safe at 1 year old? For children over 1 and adults, the spores are harmless. Our digestive tracts can process the spores if we ingest them, which prevents us from getting sick.
Though your honey may darken and crystalize over time, it's still safe to eat! Whether in a glass or plastic bottle, honey can return to its original liquid glory. To soften honey back into its regular liquid consistency, all you need is a heat-proof container and some hot water.
By consuming raw unfiltered honey, you are consuming propolis, which is actually small pieces of the beehive. Often, you can see this propolis in your honey jar in the form of small black specks.
In a nutshell, well-stored Manuka Honey and most other honey never expires or spoils, even if its been previously opened. In fact, it's recognized as the only food that doesn't spoil.
Generally, Manuka honey has characteristics described as dark cream to brown in color, is herbaceous in flavor, with a slight bitter aftertaste and not quite as sweet as standard table honey.