I. What is honey?

Honey is a natural substance created through the labor of honeybees. Honeybees collect pollen from various flowers and use it to produce honey primarily for nurturing their colony.

Honey is the nectar collected from the hives of honeybees in nature

In the past, people could only find natural forest honey, but over time, the quantity of wild forest honey has significantly decreased. Instead, many families and companies have implemented beekeeping models to produce honey.

Thus, there are two main types of honey: natural forest honey and bee-farmed honey. Both types are pure honey and are highly beneficial for human health.

II. The health and beauty benefits of honey

Honey is commonly used in most households today due to the numerous health and beauty benefits it offers, such as:

• Reducing dry cough and cough with phlegm. Especially when combined with lemon, white roses, and mint leaves, it yields more effective results.
• Honey helps treat burns, reduces soreness, and aids in skin regeneration.
• Enhances memory and brain health, especially for middle-aged individuals.
• Prevents gastroesophageal reflux disease and benefits the digestive system.
• Helps prevent and fight cancer due to its abundant antioxidants.
• Soothes hemorrhoids when combined with olive oil, providing comfort to patients.

Honey offers various health and beauty benefits

• Boosts the immune system and effectively detoxifies the body.
• Improves eyesight as it contains plenty of B-group vitamins, reducing eye strain, dryness, and blurred vision.
• Effective treatment for acne and fading blemishes.
• Moisturizes the skin and brightens it.
• Cleanses and tightens pores.
• Exfoliates the skin, leaving it radiant, smooth, and full of vitality.
• Nourishes hair, making it shiny and smooth. Honey can be used as a hair conditioner, repairing damaged hair.
• It Aids weight loss for overweight individuals and helps them gain weight for underweight individuals.

III. What is the shelf life of honey?

On average, natural honey should be used within the first 2 years from the time it is extracted from the beehive.

Forest honey usually contains a high amount of pollen and yeast, making it prone to fermentation, so it is best to use it within 2 years. However, bee-farmed honey, which has a lower pollen content, can be used for up to 3 years.

After this period, honey may not be completely spoiled, but its chemical structure can be altered. Therefore, it is not advisable to use honey beyond this expiration date as it can be dangerous and may not only harm health but also be a potential cause of cancer.

Honey contains Hydroxy Methyl Furfural (HMF), a toxic substance that increases when honey is stored at high temperatures, leading to chemical changes in the nutritional components of honey.

For newly harvested honey, the HMF concentration is around 1-5 mg/kg, but after being stored at a temperature of 30-35 degrees Celsius for 100-200 days, it can increase to 200-300 mg/kg. Research has indicated that HMF not only causes cancer but also significantly alters genes.

IV. Why can honey be stored for a long time without spoiling?

Honey can be stored for approximately 2-3 years from the time of extraction

Its main component is sugar, accounting for about 70%, and it has the characteristic chemical property of being hygroscopic. This low moisture content in honey creates an environment where bacteria and mold cannot thrive and grow.

Additionally, the pH level of honey ranges from 3 to 4.5, creating an acidic environment that eliminates almost all microorganisms capable of developing in honey.

Moreover, the bees add an enzyme called glucose oxidase to the honey during its production. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucose, resulting in the production of gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which have excellent antiseptic and antibacterial properties. These natural components help protect honey from harmful substances.

V. Is it true that honey becomes better the longer it is stored and the more viscous it becomes?

The belief that honey becomes better, smoother, and more delicious the longer it is stored is entirely false. In reality, many types of forest honey, when stored for too long, can turn yellowish-brown, bitter in taste, develop an unpleasant odor, and lose beneficial enzymes.

• Especially, improper storage conditions, such as exposure to sunlight or high temperatures, can increase the HMF content in honey, which poses a high risk of causing cancer to consumers.

The notion that honey becomes smoother and more delicious the longer it is stored is entirely incorrect

Fresh honey is always more aromatic and sweeter compared to aged honey. Moreover, newly harvested honey retains all its original nutrients without any alteration, ensuring the most health benefits.

For industrially processed honey products, which are bottled and filtered according to high-tech standards and packaged on modern production lines, there is usually an indicated expiration date on the packaging. You should only use honey within the manufacturer's specified timeframe to avoid significant health risks, especially the risk of cancer.

VI. What containers are suitable for storing honey?

Selecting appropriate containers for storing honey not only ensures that it can be preserved longer but also prevents attacks by insects and other harmful animals. The recommended containers for storing honey are:

• Glass jars and bottles: Glass jars with a transparent color are suitable for storing honey, allowing easy observation of any changes in the honey. However, glass jars are fragile and need careful handling.
• Plastic containers: If using plastic containers to store honey, make sure to choose high-quality, food-safe plastics to prevent harmful substances from leaching into the honey.
• Wooden containers: Wooden containers may look beautiful and luxurious, but they can create an unpleasant smell and even release sawdust into the honey, reducing its quality and taste.
• Metal containers: It is highly advised not to store honey in metal containers as they can lead to chemical reactions that alter the nutritional components of honey and may even produce toxic substances.

VII. The ideal temperature for storing honey

The ideal temperature for long-term honey storage is between 20-27 degrees Celsius

The ideal temperature for storing honey is between 22-27 degrees Celsius (71.6-80.6 degrees Fahrenheit). At high temperatures, honey can undergo fermentation and produce gas, while at low temperatures, it may crystallize and solidify.

Therefore, experts recommend storing honey in dry, cool areas and keeping it stable in one place, avoiding frequent transportation.

VIII. Things to note when storing honey

To ensure the delicious taste and quality of honey, there are several things you need to consider when storing it:

• Keep honey away from strong-smelling items: Items with strong odors such as garlic, onions, and pineapple can transfer their smell to the honey, causing it to lose its natural aroma. Therefore, it's best to store honey away from other items that can easily transfer odors.
• Avoid direct sunlight exposure: Direct sunlight and high temperatures can cause honey to ferment quickly, producing gas and bubbles, which shortens its shelf life. Regularly exposing honey to sunlight can also cause it to change color, develop a sour taste, and become unusable.

Things to consider when storing honey

• Store honey in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to water and air: Water and air can cause honey to oxidize, leading to changes in its nutrients, turning them into harmful substances. Water can also promote fermentation and diminish the natural flavor of honey.
• Do not tighten the honey jar lid too tightly: It's best to close the jar just enough without overtightening it, as overtightening can lead to gas buildup and bubbling. However, you still need to ensure the container is properly sealed, preventing water, air, or bacteria from entering and spoiling the honey.
• Do not fill the honey jar to the brim: When transferring honey from a large jar to a smaller one for usage, avoid filling it to the brim. In hot weather, the honey may expand and cause the jar to burst, releasing gas and bubbles and potentially even causing the jar to explode.

IX. Conclusion

These are our recommendations for the proper storage and handling of honey. We hope this information is helpful for your daily life. If you are looking to buy pure and high-quality honey, please feel free to contact IVY HONEY for the best service.