10 Best Ways to Store & Preserve Pure Honey for Longer Period (in Clear Glass Jars & Bottles)

10 Best Ways to Store & Preserve Pure Honey for Longer Period (in Clear Glass Jars & Bottles)

I just feel bees don’t get enough hype for producing honey. Because honey is no doubt one of the healthiest sweeteners due to the rich nutrients and enzymes it contains. Aside from being a sweetener, it is also a good preservative for centuries even before the production of sugar began. Storing honey in clear glass jars or bottles has also been a practice to preserve its nutrients, quality, and flavour.

Because we understand the importance of properly storing your pure honey so you can enjoy it even after years of storage, we curated up to 10 tips for preserving your pure honey, especially in glass honey bottles and jars.

Why is it Important to Store Honey in Clear Glass Jars or Bottles?

There have been controversies over whether to store honey in plastic or clear glass jars and bottles. The truth is, even though there is no compulsion as to what type of container to use for storage, there are reasons why glass jars and bottles are recommended. 

Here are a few reasons to you glass containers instead of plastic:
●    Unlike plastic or metallic jars, glass jars and bottles are non-reactive hence, it does not react with the honey to leach chemicals into the honey, causing a flop in the quality and flavour.
●    Glass storage jars and bottles do not absorb surrounding odour which can alter the honey’s taste especially when stored for months or years.
●    Glass honey bottles and jars with lids ensure that the natural texture and flavour of the pure honey are not altered to avoid fermentation or crystallisation.
●    Clear bottles and jars make monitoring your stored honey easier without opening it.

Best Ways to Store & Preserve Your Pure Honey in Clear Glass Jars & Bottles

1. Do Not Mix Pure Honey with Processed Honey for Storage
One of the easily made mistakes by individuals is combining pure honey and home/commercially processed honey like hot honey, or garlic honey. Combining these honey when stored for a long period can lead to fermentation or spoilage. It is best to store them separately. Processed honey often contains moisture or additives that can change the entire flavour and shelf life of pure honey.


2. Store in Glass Honey Bottles or Jars at Room Temperature
When storing honey, be conscious of where you keep it. The best place to store honey to ensure the temperature is not above the needed temperature (below 104°f/40°c) is in the pantry or on the shelf. This ensures the natural quality or flavour is not hampered by heat.


3. Store Honey in Airtight Clear Glass Jars or Bottles
Store your honey in glass bottles and jars with airtight lids. This will prevent moisture content, air, insects, ants, and any unwanted object from getting into the honey. An airtight clear glass jars and bottles with lids also prevent spillage.


4. Freeze Pure Honey Instead of Refrigerating it
Instead of refrigerating pure honey, it is recommended to freeze it to prevent crystalization. Freezing it also preserves its texture without altering its natural properties.

You can pour the honey into different sizes of glass honey bottles or jars with lids while leaving a little headspace in each container to allow for expansion. When you are ready to use the frozen honey, thaw it gradually at room temperature for best results.


5. Do Not Use a Microwave or Direct Heat to Decrystallise Honey
When you have an already crystallised honey, do not liquefy it by placing the container directly in the microwave or on direct heat. The best way to recrystallise it is to place the container in a bowl of warm water and allow it to liquefy slowly. When you use direct heat or microwave, it will lose some of its nutrients and properties.


6. Sterilize the Clear Glass Jars & Bottles Before Filling with Honey
One of the factors that can make honey stored in honey glass jars or bottles ferment or spoil without a trace, is dirt or residue in the empty containers before the honey is filled. It is necessary to sterilise these honey jars and bottles with their lids.

To sterilize these containers, wash them with warm, soapy water, then rinse thoroughly. You can heat them in an oven at 110°C (230°F) for 5-10 minutes to kill any bacteria or spores. 

Note: Ensure the glass jars and bottles you are using are heat-proof.


7. Do Not Expose the Honey Jars or Bottles to Direct Sunlight
Just like heat, when pure honey has prolonged exposure to sunlight, it can reduce the honey’s nutritional properties, and flavour and change its colour. The best bet is to store the honey storage jars or bottles in a cool, dark place, preferably on a cupboard, or shelf away from direct sunlight.


8. If You Can, Avoid Using Plastic Containers to Store Honey
Even though plastic containers can be used for short-term storage of honey, it is not ideal for long-term storage or preservation. This is because aside from being permeable, plastic degrades with time, which can contaminate the honey in the container due to leaching.

Glass honey bottles and jars are recommended because glass does not degrade and leach out chemicals.


9. Do Not Store Honey in Metallic Containers
Because honey is naturally acidic, storing it in a metal container can cause a reaction that will change the colour and taste. It will also make the honey unsafe for human consumption.


10. Avoid Using a Wet Spoon or Dipper to Scoop Honey
Let’s say you strictly ensure you follow the above tips and somehow use a wet dipper or spoon to keep scooping honey from glass containers. This can reduce the shelf life of the honey by causing fermentation or spoilage. Hence it is recommended to use a dry dipper or spoon to scoop honey because moisture is honey’s biggest enemy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to keep honey for a long time?
To keep your pure honey fresh for years, store it in airtight clear honey glass jars or bottles at room temperature in a dark, dry place. Avoid exposing it to moisture, heat, or direct sunlight. If it crystallises, liquefy it in a bowl of warm water.

What is the best way to store natural honey?
The best way to store natural honey is in glass honey jars or bottles with airtight lids. Glass prevents contamination, preserves the honey’s natural properties, and does not absorb odours or chemicals.

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