How to Store Honey Right | Keep Raw Honey Fresh & Tasting Sweet for Long

Honey is sweet, golden gift from nature, famous for its incredible longevity. Its low moisture and high acidity give it an almost unlimited shelf life. Like, literally, honey never spoils.
So, ‘does honey go out of date?’
Well, pure honey has no true expiration date. Producers mostly stamp a “best by” of about two years to encourage use at peak quality. Swan Valley Honey even recommends using honey within a year for best flavour. But even decades-old honey is safe to eat.
Why does the right honey storage matter then? Because how you store honey affects its flavour, texture and nutrient quality. Proper storage keeps honey tasting fresh and its enzymes intact. Plus, it prevents problems like crystallisation or fermentation.
Here’s your guide to explore the right way to store honey. We’ll also discuss honey shelf life and give you some practical tips to expend honey life.
How Long Does Honey Last | Does Honey Go Off?
Honey’s shelf life is extraordinary. With over 80% sugars, its natural chemistry inhibits bacteria. So, it never spoils.
Even if your honey crystallises or darkens over time, it’s not gone bad. It’s just changing in texture and colour. In fact, archaeologists have famously found edible honey in 3,000-year-old tombs. For most of us, the key takeaway is: honey can last for years or decades if stored well.
Food labels often say “best by 2 years”, and quality peaks in the first year or so, but that’s about flavour, not safety. So, rest assured. Honey doesn’t go out of date,in any strict sense. It simply has an exceptionally long life.
How to Store Honey Properly? Ideal Honey Storage Conditions
A jar of honey sealed from moisture can last for years, even decades, with its flavour intact. Knowing how to store honey correctly keeps it at peak quality, flavour and texture. Let’s explore the three ideal conditions to store honey for long.
1. Ideal Temperature
Keep honey at a steady room temperature. Honey likes it warm but not hot like around 21–27 °C is ideal.
Australian beekeeping experts recommend avoiding temperature swings. Don’t chill honey in the fridge. The cold actually makes it crystallise faster. Likewise, don’t leave honey on the stove or in direct sun, as high heat (above 40 °C) can change its colour and flavour.
In short, a cool, dark cupboard temperature is the ideal spot for storing honey and preserving its consistency and taste.
2. Ideal Storage Location
Store honey in a cool, dark, dry place. For example, a top shelf in a kitchen cupboard or pantry is perfect. It stays around room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Avoid spots that fluctuate in heat (no next to the oven) or light (no sunny windows).
Also, never keep honey in the fridge. Refrigeration speeds up crystallisation for no benefit. By keeping honey away from heat and moisture, you preserve its natural goodness. In essence:
- Choose a dark, dry pantry or cupboard shelf as your honey store.
- Avoid direct light or heat.
- A consistent, moderate temperature around 21–27 °C is key.
- Any spot above 40 °C can darken honey and dull the flavour.
3. Ideal Honey Jar / Container
The ideal jar for honey is one that seals completely.
An airtight glass jars are a classic favourite. They won’t react with the honey and let you admire the golden colour. In fact, we recommend using the original glass jar your honey came in.
Avoid any metal containers, as metal can oxidise and spoil the honey.
Pro Tip: Always use a clean, dry spoon or honey dipper each time. Some folks pour a bit into a small serving pot or honey dispenser for daily use. This way, you never dunk wet or dirty utensils into the main jar. Keeping the jar hygienic prevents contamination and extends honey’s shelf life.
Different types of honey have slightly different storage needs. Here’s how to store each one properly to keep it fresh, flavourful, and at its best for years to come.
Honey Storage Tips for Different Honey Types
Follow these tips to store every jar of honey, whether raw, creamed, pasteurised, Jarrah or infused. It will stay at peak quality for its full natural honey life.
1. Raw Honey
Raw honey is best kept around 18–24°C in a dark cupboard. Avoid refrigerating it, as cold storage speeds crystallisation. Use a clean glass jar of honey and seal it tightly. After each use, ensure every jar lid is closed to block moisture.
Crystal formation is natural in raw honey. If it goes cloudy, warm the sealed jar in warm water (40°C) until it re-liquefies.
2. Creamed Honey
Treat it like raw honey. Keep it in a sealed jar. Refrigeration won’t spoil it; it just makes the honey firmer and easier to spread.
Creamed (whipped) honey has fine crystals and a smooth, spreadable texture. You can keep it in the fridge or at room temperature – either is fine.
3. Pasteurised (Processed) Honey
Store pasteurised honey in a warm, dark cupboard or pantry. No fridge needed. Cooler temperatures can speed up crystal formation. Although, pasteurisation kills yeasts and stabilises the honey, but always keep it sealed. If crystals do form over time, warm the jar in hot water to restore its runny consistency.
4. Jarrah Honey (Western Australia)
Jarrah honey should be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Because it is very high in fructose. It naturally resists crystallisation and stays smooth for longer.
Do not refrigerate Jarrah honey as it will simply get too thick. Storing a sealed jar in your pantry will preserve its unique flavour for a long honey life.
5. Infused Honey (e.g. ginger, hazelnut)
Infused honey is stored the same way as other honey. Keep the jar sealed in a cool, dark spot.
- Dry Infusions: If you’ve added dry spices or nuts, it behaves like plain honey at room temperature.
- Fresh Infusions: If you infuse with fresh ingredients (ginger slices, citrus, etc.), check it after 1–2 weeks, then refrigerate to slow fermentation.
Use a clean, dry spoon when scooping. If the mix stays dry and uncontaminated, even infused honey won’t go off.
How to Store Honeycomb
Natural honeycomb is honey’s original container, the bees’ beeswax. In the hive, honey is stored in comb capped with wax. If you have raw honeycomb, treat it much like honey in a jar. The wax capping naturally protects it, so comb is quite shelf-stable.
Simply keep honeycomb at room temperature in a sealed container or wrapped well. A cool, dry pantry is fine for a whole comb. The wax will not spoil. If the comb is cut or partly eaten, you can cover it or even refrigerate it to keep it firm (beeswax stays solid in the fridge, but note honey will thicken).
For long-term storage, you could freeze extra comb, just as with jarred honey. In essence:
- Keep honeycomb clean, dry, and sealed. This mimics the beeswax seal that nature provides.
- Always avoid heat and light as they can break down honey’s delicate enzymes and darken its colour.
- Avoid moisture at all costs. Honey will absorb humidity if left open, leading to fermentation.
- Protect your honey from strong odors (it can pick up scents) and pests (keep ants away by wiping jar edges clean)
Shop natural honeycomb at Swan Valley Home for an authentic, sweet experience.
Are you ready to add pure WA honey in your pantry?
Reach Out Swan Valley Honey | Find 100% Pure Raw Honey Packed with Care
At Swan Valley Honey, our honey packing process expertly locks in the pure quality of our pure natural honey. We work with local beekeepers to spin and strain honey, then fill it directly into glass jars. No heat treatment, no additives. Our jarred honey is 100% pure, raw and unprocessed, just as the bees intended.
Explore our honey collection and taste the difference of honey as nature intended – pure, locally made, and incredibly fresh.
FAQs About Storing Honey
Q1: Can Honey Be Stored in the Fridge?
You don’t need to store honey in a fridge. Refrigerating honey isn’t necessary and actually makes it crystalise faster. A cool, dark cupboard or pantry is ideal. The only exception is creamed honey since it’s already crystallised. Some people do refrigerate that for a thicker texture.
Q2: Can You Freeze Honey?
Yes. you can freeze honey safely. Freezing won’t harm it, because honey has very low water content. In fact, keeping honey in the freezer can preserve its peak flavour by slowing down subtle changes (it prevents honey from darkening or fermenting over time). To freeze, simply seal it tightly in a freezer-safe jar or container.
Q3: How Can I Keep Honey Safe from Contamination?
Keep your honey in a clean, dry jar with a tight lid to avoid contamination. Always use a dry spoon or utensil when scooping honey. So, you don’t introduce any moisture or crumbs that could cause fermentation. If you ever notice your honey smelling fermented, foamy or having any visible mold, it’s best to throw it out. These are signs it’s gone bad.
Q4: Why Does Honey Crystallise and Is It Still Safe?
Honey crystallises because it’s mostly sugar (over 80% by weight) with very little water. Over time the sugars naturally form tiny crystals, especially in cool temperatures. This is completely normal and just changes the texture, not the safety or nutrition. In fact, crystallised honey is still perfectly safe to eat. If you prefer it liquid, simply warm the jar in a bowl of warm water to dissolve the crystals back into smooth honey.
Q5: What’s the Best Jar or Container for Storing Honey?
Always use an airtight container to keep moisture out. A glass jar or honey dispenser with a tight lid is ideal. Glass won’t absorb moisture or flavours. Whereas plastic can be slightly porous and let water vapour in. Many people use the original glass jar or a decorative glass honey pot. Just make sure it seals well. This ensures your honey stays shelf-stable and tasty for as long as possible.