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Honey combines the beneficial properties of the bee product and the honey plant from which the nectar was collected. It saturates the body with vitamins and nutrients, helps to cope with diseases and preserve natural beauty. To preserve the healing qualities of the product after purchase, you need to know the expiration date of honey and the conditions for its storage.
Shelf life of natural honey according to GOST
Properly harvested natural honey without preservatives can be stored 5–6 years. At the same time, he will not grow moldy and will not ferment. True, according to GOST, its shelf life ranges from 8 to 12 months, depending on storage conditions.
This is due to the fact that after this time, the biologically active substances contained in it begin to decompose. The bee product begins to lose its medicinal properties, becomes cloyingly sweet and loses its herbal flavor.
Video «Proper storage of honey»
From this video you will learn in what conditions it is necessary to store honey.
What determines the duration of storage
The duration of storage of honey depends on its variety, pumping time and chemical composition. Dark varieties store faster than light varieties. The product, pumped out to full maturation in the hive, will sugar faster, water will appear in it, and fermentation processes will begin.
The diet of the bees is also important. If the beekeeper often feeds them with sugar syrup, the product will not contain vitamins and natural preservatives that slow down the destructive processes. If the composition contains a high content of honeydew – material collected from trees, then the shelf life will be halved.
Temperature
Honey should be stored at -6 to +18 °C. At room temperature, it loses some of its useful properties, quickly candied, breaks up into layers. Heating above +35 ° C is fraught with the complete destruction of vitamins and amino acids. Negative temperature does not affect the quality of the bee product.
When storing, keep in mind that temperature changes can also reduce the healing qualities of the product and shorten its shelf life.
Humidity
Honey has the ability to absorb moisture from the environment. The product becomes watery, exfoliates, loses its taste. Therefore, the humidity is above 70–75% is detrimental to him. 50 is considered optimal.–60%. If it is not possible to adjust the humidity in the room, the container should be closed as tightly as possible with a lid.
Tara
When stored in iron and zinc dishes, an oxidation process occurs. An unpleasant metallic taste appears, part of the medicinal qualities are lost. Such a product cannot be used in cooking. It also absorbs the taste and smell of unvarnished wooden containers.
Transparent glass does not protect it from sunlight, which negatively affects the quality. Chipped enamel can also add an unnatural flavor.
The best option – dark glass or clean enamelware.
In extreme cases, food-grade plastic can be used, but in this case it is better to store the product for no more than 3–4 months.
Tightness
The lid, which closes the container, should fit as tightly as possible to the neck. Tightness will help protect the vulnerable bee product from unwanted odors and high humidity. If a suitable lid cannot be found, honey can be stored for no more than 1–2 months.
Crystallization
The shelf life depends on the time of crystallization, or sugaring. This is a natural process of transition to a solid state for any natural honey. The crystallized product is less affected by environmental conditions. So the faster it candied, the longer it can be stored.
honeycomb shelf life
Honey in combs can be stored for 2-3 years. This is due to the content of propolis and natural preservatives in them, which prolong its shelf life.
To maximize the shelf life and not lose the useful qualities of the product, you need to protect the honeycombs from high humidity and direct sunlight.
Author’s advice
It is better to place them in a dark cool place. They are also threatened by the wax moth, which can damage the walls of the comb and spoil the honey with eggs and larvae.
To prevent this from happening, the room must be regularly ventilated. To avoid the appearance of mold, you need to regularly inspect the purchased frames and remove the fungus at the first sign of its appearance.
Storage Rules
So that honey does not deteriorate and does not lose its useful qualities, you need to know what rules for its storage must be observed.
At home
Honey must be stored in a cool place. The temperature should not rise above 18–20°C. It is better if it is constant, as sudden changes destroy the structure of the product. It may begin to delaminate, release water and ferment.
Humidity should not rise above 75%. The bee product absorbs the moisture contained in the air and accumulates it in itself. Do not keep the product near a washbasin, bathtub or other water source. It is better to tightly close the jar with a lid and, if possible, wrap it with a material that absorbs moisture.
The enemy of honey is also sunlight. Direct rays heat the container, which contributes to the destruction of useful substances in its composition. Lighting increases the rate of natural chemical processes occurring in honey. Substances responsible for the destruction of microbes break down, and it becomes vulnerable to the development of the fungus.
In no case should honey be stored next to products that have a pungent odor. Containers should be kept away from paint, gasoline, fish, spices and other aromatic products. Even a sealed lid does not save from absorption. Already after 2–3 days of storage next to such smells, they will penetrate into the jar. After 1–2 months may even appear an extraneous aftertaste.
In a refrigerator
If honey is stored in the refrigerator, then it is better to allocate a separate shelf for it and in no case place it next to strong-smelling products. It is better to store it in a dark glass container.
But the refrigerator can only be used as a temporary storage place. You can put the product there in the summer, when the temperature in the apartment is too high. Firstly, too low a temperature negatively affects the taste and color of honey. Secondly, condensate, which is harmful to honey, forms on the walls of the refrigerator.
How to identify spoiled honey
Spoiled honey is a fermented product. This process may begin due to excess moisture in the composition. It has a sour smell, and a bitter aftertaste may appear. Depending on how much time has passed since pumping, a white film or water with bubbles on the surface may appear.
Honey is a tasty and healthy bee gift that preserves and strengthens health. To properly store it, you only need to choose the right container for keeping, observe the temperature conditions and maintain the humidity level.