Does honey go bad? It’s a natural question to ask, especially if you’ve been using the same container for a long time. Luckily, the short answer is no. There’s no need to throw old honey away, even if you’ve noticed mild changes to its color or texture.
I’ve put my decades of investigative reporting and homemaking experience to work so I can tell you everything you need to know about honey, its expiry, and shelf life! You’ll find the answers to many common questions about honey throughout this post, like whether honey goes bad, how it lasts, how to store it, and more.
Table Of Contents
What Is Honey?
Honey is a sweet, viscous, semi-liquid substance produced by various species of honey bees from the nectar of plants. Sometimes called “the natural sweetener,” honey has plenty of benefits and uses, from skincare and cosmetics to nutrition and medicinal uses.
The Shelf Life Of Honey
Does Honey Expire?
The short answer: no, honey does not expire. Honey is one of several foods that never expire and can be used indefinitely when stored correctly.
Wondering why honey has an expiration date on the package? These dates are mainly for the benefit of the stores that sell it so they can rotate their stock efficiently and sell older products before newer ones. Don’t worry about honey expiration dates — the honey itself will last far longer than the date suggests!
How Long Does Honey Last?
Honey can last forever if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. There is no need to refrigerate honey after opening; you can store it at room temperature (though it should be kept away from stoves and other heat-generating equipment).
After using honey, it’s important to close the lid tightly to seal out moisture and contaminants. The better protected your honey is, the longer it will last!
What About Raw Honey Or Other Types of Honey?
Raw honey is unpasteurized, meaning it hasn’t been heat-treated to eliminate microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and mold. Unpasteurized foods are inherently riskier, but honey has such low pH and moisture content that even raw honey is relatively low-risk. (More on that shortly!)
Like processed honey, raw honey won’t go bad or expire, but it may crystallize or oxidize over time. (But don’t worry — it’s still fine to eat!)
Here are some other types of honey that won’t expire or go bad:
- Clover honey
- Creamed honey
- Eucalyptus honey
- Acacia honey
- Manuka honey
- Wildflower honey
- Alfalfa honey
- Orange blossom honey
Does Honey Go Bad?
Can honey go bad? Does honey spoil? Again, the answer is “no” as long as the honey is 100% natural and stored properly.
Natural honey is different from adulterated honey, which has added ingredients like water, syrups, or flavorings. Adulterated honey can go bad over time, since its additives may make it more hospitable to bacteria and other microorganisms.
Why Does Honey Last So Long?
Honey is resistant to spoilage because of its low water content. Water only makes up about 17% of honey’s overall composition, which is too low for most bacteria to survive in. Honey dehydrates bacteria and other microorganisms that lead to spoilage, so it is essentially self-preserving.
How To Fix Crystallized Honey
Honey may change in texture or crystallize over time, but that doesn’t mean it’s spoiled. Honey crystallizes when its glucose molecules solidify, but that process doesn’t affect the safety or quality of the honey.
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To restore crystallized honey to a liquid state, gently warm the sealed container in a warm water bath. (You can also microwave honey in short bursts until it liquifies, but avoid overheating it to preserve its nutritional qualities.)
“It’s worth noting that when restoring [crystallized] honey, it should be warmed until EVERY crystal is gone! […] I have a 5 gallon bucket of honey that we’ve been using for several years. I learned the hard way that it will quickly recrysallize if you rush the process.”
– OGT Reader KJR
If you don’t want your honey to crystalize over time, you may want to try creamed honey — a light and creamy variety processed to control crystallization!
How To Tell If Honey Is Bad
Honey has self-preserving properties and won’t go bad unless exposed to external contaminants like air, moisture, and insects.
You can identify bad honey by looking for unexpected changes to the way it looks, tastes, or smells. (Note that harmless changes like crystallization and oxidation can also alter honey’s color or texture, so changes in smell or taste may be more useful indicators of spoilage.)
How To Use Old Honey
Even if the expiration date on the bottle has long since passed, you can use old honey just like the fresh stuff! Stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark place, it will last nearly forever.
(Fellow fans of peanut butter and honey sandwiches, rejoice — peanut butter can stay good long after its expiration date, too. As long as it doesn’t smell rancid, go ahead and make that sandwich!)
For more sticky-sweet goodness, check out some of my favorite honey recipes:
- Honey Lemon Salmon Baked In Foil
- Simple Garlic Honey Pork Chops
- Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Honey Butter
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Honey Never Go Bad?
Bacteria and other microorganisms that spoil food require a moist environment with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Honey is acidic and doesn’t contain much water, so it’s not a place where bacteria can grow and thrive.
Can I Eat Expired Honey?
Whether your honey is 2 years or 10 years past its expiration date, you can safely eat expired honey as long as it looks, smells, and tastes fine!
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Conclusion
Honey doesn’t go bad or expire as long as you store it properly. Its self-preserving properties mean you can stock up on honey and enjoy it for years to come!
How do you use honey in the kitchen?
It’s worth noting that when restoring honey from a crystallized state, it should be warmed until EVERY crystal is gone! Once each crystal has dissolved, you’ll get a runny and fresh version. I have a 5 gallon bucket of honey that we’ve been using for several years. I learned the hard way that it will quickly recrysallize if you rush the process.
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