The Right Way to Store Honey, According to Beekeepers

If you know how to store honey, you can enjoy this versatile pantry staple stirred into tea, whisked into a cream cheese frosting, or simply spread on buttered toast—its uses are seemingly limitless. The best part? It's also one of the most shelf-stable foods. We spoke to beekeepers and a food safety expert to learn where to store honey, how long it lasts, and how to keep it tasting sweet for as long as possible.

How Long Honey Lasts

Thanks to its high concentration of sugars, honey is one of the most stable natural foods when stored correctly. "Honey is the only food that never spoils and is always safe to eat," says Frank Mortimer, Cornell University master beekeeper and author of Bee People And The Bugs They Love.

Shelf Life

Honey can have an almost indefinite shelf life, lasting decades or longer if it's stored properly. Over time, it may crystallize, and the quality might not be as good as when you first purchased it, but the honey will still be safe to consume in most cases.

Expiration Date

Although honey doesn't have an expiration date, many honey producers put a "best by" date of about two years on the label of their honey to encourage consumers to use the product while it's at its best. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration recommends using honey within a year of buying it to ensure quality.

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How to Store Honey

Always store your honey in an airtight, glass container. Otherwise, the hygroscopic (water-loving) sugars in the honey will absorb moisture from the air, leading to the growth of undesirable yeasts.

"Plastic is known to be permeable to water vapor, gas, and odors," says Dawn Combs, an ethnobotanist, beekeeper, and author of Sweet Remedies. "This means that when you store honey in plastic, it may lose moisture—or worse, gain it." On the other hand, glass has a proper seal that keeps honey at the right liquid-to-sugar ratio to remain shelf-stable instead of fermenting.

Additionally, some types of honey will benefit from specific storage spots.

Raw Honey

Raw honey is best stored in a dark area that ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, such as in a cupboard near a stove or oven. If you're trying to avoid the crystallization of raw honey, try duplicating the hive environment—warm and dark—as much as possible.

"Most (experts) recommend a cool storage environment because they fear that the honey will darken slightly otherwise," Combs says. "Cool storage is a fine choice, but be aware that crystallization will happen more rapidly in these situations."

Creamed Honey

European-style creamed honey is 100 percent honey that was produced by controlling the crystallization process. The product is known for having a creamy consistency and smooth spreadable texture. "You can put creamed honey in the refrigerator because it is already crystallized, so its texture will not change," Mortimer says.

Pasteurized Honey

Processed, or pasteurized, honey is treated at high temperatures to destroy sugar-tolerant yeasts and extend its shelf life. This honey should be stored in a warm, dark place, like your kitchen cabinet or pantry, or anywhere it won't be susceptible to crystallization.

Keeping Honey Safe From Contamination

Even the most carefully stored honey can become contaminated and spoil. Use clean and dry utensils when dipping them into a honey container. "If honey smells fermented (like alcohol), has foam, or a pink slime on it, then throw it out," says Kimberly Baker, PhD, RD, LD, director of the Clemson Extension Food Systems and Safety Program Team.