How to Store Real Honey Properly | Killer Bees Honey Storage Guide
Several customers have asked how to store our honey. What I’m about to explain applies to any pure, unadulterated honey. Real honey's unique chemistry includes low moisture, high sugar content, and acidity (low pH), creating an inhospitable environment for microbes. Bees also add glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide, a natural antibiotic. A label with ingredient descriptions such as, “honey blend” or using vague verbiage like “natural sweeteners” is adulterated. I can only assume that if you’re reading this, you wouldn’t admit to possessing junk honey in your cupboard or pantry. If you buy any of Amazon’s Best Choice “organic” honey from countries like Brazil or Paraguay—nothing to see here folks. You can move on from this posting.
Killer Bees Honey has given you a head start by only using glass jars with tight fitting lids. Plastic, even food grade, FDA-compliant BPA/phthalates is not recommended for long term storage. Glass is inert, prevents chemical leaching and avoids micro-plastic concerns. Even room temperature exposure can cause chemicals in the plastic to leach and potentially introduce harmful substances.
Killer Bees Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey, Summer Sweet Honey and Queen’s Reserve Sourwood Honey are best stored in a dark cabinet at room temperature. Preferably, 72°. It isn’t necessary to refrigerate honey. Honey stored below 65° will crystalize faster.
Honey crystallization is a natural process. It’s normal and doesn’t mean the honey has gone bad. Depending on the floral source (sugar composition changes based on the specific flowers the bees visited), wildflower honeys with greater glucose content than fructose will quickly crystallize. Tulip poplar honey is a perfect example. Some monofloral honeys such as buckwheat or clover can crystalize within weeks of harvesting. To re-liquefy any honey, simply place the sealed jar in a bain-marie or warm water bath and gently heat. DO NOT MICROWAVE! Microwaving honey kills all the natural minerals and organic enzymes the bees introduced into the honey.
Killer Bees Wickedly Whipped Honey can be kept either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Think of it as butter; the colder it is, the firmer it becomes. It’s easier to spread at room temperature. If you choose to keep it in a cabinet at room temperature, please choose a shelf away from any heat source like an oven or even the fridge. Any heat source above 82° and it will begin to liquify to its natural state. Once this happens, you will not be able to return it to its creamed consistency.
Real honey cannot spoil. Depending on the floral source, honey has an average acidic pH of 3.9. This mild acidity is derived from organic acids like gluconic acid, amino acids and aromatic acids. All these compounds are crucial for the honeys distinct floral colors, flavors and aromas. This acidity combined with organic compounds keep bacteria from growing. British Archeologist Howard Carter found perfectly preserved honey (probably crystallized) in King Tutankhamun's (KV62) tomb. The ancient Egyptians placed honey in other nobles tombs as a sweet offering for the deceased’s journey and as a symbol of purity, power and immortality.
If you see mold on the surface of your stored honey, please refer to the above comment on fake honey or the recent blog posts I have written about “organic” honey.
Historical Note: The honeybee in ancient Egypt symbolized royalty, divine creation and the afterlife. Honey was eaten only by kings, queens, pharaoh’s and high ranking civil officers, as it was connected to the sun god, Ra, whose tears, as they fell to earth, were transformed into bees.
The above photo of Killer Bees Honey’s Beekeeper and the Queen Bee was taken in King Tut’s tomb. Even after several millennia, he didn't look a day older than 18. No doubt, to eating honey throughout his afterlife.
-The Beekeeper
