Is my honey safe to eat?

Question

No, this is not a euphemism.

Half a jar of Suma Wholefoods Wildflower Honey, best before April 2005. Looks fine, spreads fine, smells fine, tastes fine (I just had some on toast).

Weird thing is, the inside of the jar (above the halfway line) was coated with deposits of... honey. As if the honey had evaporated inside the jar and condensed on the inside walls, in exactly the same form - no deterioration, nothing.

What's that caused by? Will I die of honey poisoning? Or will it have to be something else?

Answer 1

Good Morning Wild Eep!

Your honey would take an act of chemical warfare to make it spoil. What has happened is that as your honey has aged, it is starting to form crystals on the side of the container you have it in. It's partially due to some evaporation, and partly because it is just the dynamic of what honey is used for in the wild. ( A construction material and a food storage system ).

If those crystals bother you, there are two easy ways to get rid of them:

1). Put your honey in a microwave oven and microwave for 10-30 seconds. Remove and scrape down the upper sides and the honey will redissolve into the liquid honey in your container.

2). Warm your honey in a pan of water for about 10-15 minutes. Stir it the same way.

You may also notice that during very humid weather, that your honey has become cloudy. No worries, as soon as the weather clears, the honey will no longer be cloudy.

Honey is the only food made for us by insects and as late as World War 1, it was still being used as an antiseptic. If it's good enough for Doctors to trust, it's good enough for you and I!

Since you still might not believe me, I've given you a site below.

Good Eating!

James

Answer 2

Honey can be eaten after centuries of storing apparently... it never goes off. Saw this on a documentary somewhere, where they'd found honey in ancient graves that was still in edible condition. Seems it has some sort of protective enzymes or summat in it which excited all those learned types into doing further research.

Shouldn't do you any harm, but personally, I'd chuck it and get a new jar:-)

I take honey with cider vinegar every day, in a mug of hot water, as part of a natural diet for arthritis. It has healing properties for many different ailments and is packed, with minerals and vitamins that our body needs.

If I can't sleep at night I also have a half teaspoon of honey in a mug of milk, and it seriously relaxes me.

But if you use it daily, you will need to cut out foods and drinks with sugar in them and they are many! So read the labels or you'll look like the bumble bee.

When you first start to drink it daily in this way, you will seriously unwind your stresses. You'll know exactly why the bumble bee looks so sleepy when he's sunning on the ground.... mmmmmmmmm!

Just don't do as he does and flop anywhere that you'll get trodden on:-(

Answer 3

Honey will never go bad, it will however, eventually crystallize. First turning cloudy, then forming granular crystals of sugar. Raw honey will crystallize more rapidly than commercially bottled honey. To return it to a clear liquid state heat it carefully in a double broiler or in a glass jar in very hot water not to exceed 120 degrees-- to insure it retains its wholesome goodness. Do not boil it, getting the honey too hot will darken it and degrade it's flavor. No need to refrigerate it, in fact, refrigeration will speed up the crystallization process.

Honey can be stored unopened, indefinately, at room temperature in a dry cupboard. Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence, it was found in the tomb of King Tut & was still edible.

A review of scientific literature suggests that honey is an effective antimicrobial agent and thus may be an effective dressing for wounds and burns. Antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, yeast and molds. Honey is antimicrobial for many reasons, including its high sugar content (that limits the amount of water available to microorganisms to grow), its relatively high acidity (low ph), the presence of organic acids and the presence, in low concentrations, of hydrogen peroxide. When used to treat minor skin injuries, honey may promote healing, prevent scarring and keep the bandage from adhering to the wound.


How fast does a Honey bee fly?
15 miles per hour.


How much honey does the average worker bee make in her life?
1/12 of a teaspoon

Why do they buzz?
The honeybee's wings stroke 11,400 times per minute, thus making the distinctive buzz.

How many flowers does a honey bee visit during one collection trip?
Honeybees visit 50 - 100 flowers during one collection trip.

How many eyes does a honey bee have?
Honeybees have 5 eyes.

Answer 4

I agree with the first answer. Hney does not go bad very fast. It keeps for years. Raw honey cystalizes along the side. It probaly got there by you tilting it when having some last. You should be fine. Follow your hunch. It some of that regularll. It is very good for you. I like to have it in my tea. And I buy it at a natural foods store.

Answer 5

It's fine. The best before dates are only a guide.

Most natural foods have an inbuilt way of determining how they are to eat - the smell - if it does not smell strange then it is fine.

Honey's a good food - enjoy.

Answer 6

How tight!

Invite the vicar round for tea (and honey sandwiches) on two successive days.

If he doesn't arrive on the second day, throw the honey away.

Answer 7

Honey is one of the safest foods in the world. In emergencies, it is even used to desinfect wounds.
Go ahead, eat it. It is fine!

Answer 8

BEST BEFORE there for a reason.. stick to it, and buy a New jar honey!

Answer 9

The best before dates are just a guide line. I expect that it is fine.

Answer 10

all these for the sake of 1 jar of honey... worth it?