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Honey is truly an amazing ingredient, with its sweet and golden nectar-like texture. It has an incredible capacity to enhance a wide range of dishes, from refreshing beverages to delectable desserts. Honey, with its pleasant and indulgent taste, is often used sparingly in recipes, resulting in partially filled bottles that tend to stay in our pantries for quite some time. In order to keep this precious liquid gold fresh and bursting with flavour, it is necessary to become skilled in the art of honey storage. Welcome to this guide where we will explore five reliable tricks for storing honey to ensure it stays deliciously fresh for an extended period of time.
Choose the Right Container
To keep honey fresh, the first thing you need to do is choose the appropriate container. Choose glass jars or bottles that have airtight seals. Glass is a great choice for storing honey because it doesn't allow anything to pass through it and it won't interact with the honey, which means the honey will stay pure and its delicious flavour will be preserved. It's best to avoid plastic containers for storing honey because they have the potential to release chemicals that could impact the quality of the honey.
Keep Away from Sunlight
Honey is sensitive to light, so it can be negatively affected when exposed to light, particularly sunlight. To keep honey tasting and feeling its best, it's best to store it in a cool and dark spot, away from direct sunlight. An ideal location for storing items would be a cupboard or pantry. If you have a jar of honey that's transparent, you might want to think about covering it with a cloth or placing it in a pretty box to protect it from light.
Control Temperature
Honey stays fresh and maintains its quality when it is stored at a steady temperature. Changes in temperature can sometimes lead to honey becoming crystallised or losing its smooth texture. Try to maintain it at a comfortable room temperature, avoiding excessive heat or cold. When the temperature changes quickly, it can cause moisture to build up inside the container. This can potentially result in fermentation occurring. If your honey happens to crystallise, you can gently warm it up by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. This will help it return to its liquid form.
Use an Airtight Container
Honey and oxygen don't get along well. When honey is exposed to air, it has the ability to absorb moisture, which can make it more susceptible to spoilage. To avoid this, make sure that the storage container you're using has a seal that is airtight. Not only does this help preserve the freshness of the honey, but it also ensures that it remains uncontaminated. Before you store it, make sure to check the lid or cap to ensure it is properly sealed.
Never Dip a Dirty or Wet Spoon
The final tip may seem obvious but is often overlooked. Make sure to use a clean and dry spoon or utensil whenever you're getting honey out of the container. When moisture or contaminants are introduced, it can encourage the growth of bacteria and cause the honey to spoil. In addition, it is important to make sure that the neck of the container is kept clean and free from any residue. This will help to prevent any impurities from getting into the honey.
