Does Honey Go Bad? An Expert Weighs In

I've been here many times. It’s time to make a recipe that calls for honey, whether it’s honey lemon tea or oven-fried hot honey chicken, and I reach for that old jar of honey in the back of my pantry. It’s slightly crystallized and doesn’t look as smooth as it once did.

Does this mean it has gone bad? Does honey, which is mostly made of sugar, ever go bad? If you find yourself in this situation, don’t fret; you’re not alone.

To learn about honey, whether it goes bad, and how to know it’s time to replace it, I consulted food safety expert Sandy Talamonti, Senior Manager of Food Product Claims at the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Here's what I learned.

How Long Does Honey Actually Last?

Thankfully, because honey is high in sugar and low in moisture, it will last a very long time. “Due to its unique composition, honey can have a long shelf life,” says Talamonti.

If you’re unsure of how long your specific honey will last, Talamonti says to look to the product label and follow the warnings on there. “You should always follow the directions on the product label and look out for expiration or ‘use by’ dates.”

How Do You Know When Honey Has Gone Bad?

In general, honey doesn't go bad. However, it can spoil if contaminated or incorrectly stored. Is your honey looking or smelling funny before the use by date has even arrived? Talamonti says that if you’re feeling skeptical, toss it.

“Discard the honey if you see signs of mold or it has developed an unusual smell or taste,” she says. “While honey can change in texture or appearance, such as crystallization, darkening or thickening, these changes are natural and usually do not indicate spoilage.”

What Is the Best Way To Store Honey?

“If you want to store your honey in a different container than what it came in, keep in mind that food that is not handled or stored correctly can cause foodborne bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning, even before the date posted on the package,” Talamonti says.

“Using the right storage container, along with storing food items properly, can help you keep your honey fresh and safe. Instead of reusing a leftover food packaging container, look for a certified food storage container, such as one that is certified and independently confirmed to be easily cleanable and produced from food-safe materials.”

Whether you keep your honey in its original jar or bottle or if you decide to transfer it to a container of your own, Talamonti says that it’s important to make sure that the container has a tight lid so no moisture gets in, which can promote bacterial growth.

“With honey, it’s important to ensure your container has a tight lid so that moisture and odors can’t leak in. Honey is best stored at room temperature—between 64°F to 75°F—in a cool, dark place like your pantry.”

While refrigerating food typically seems like the solution for proper storage, in the case of honey, it’s best to keep it in the pantry and not in the refrigerator. “Refrigeration can cause honey to crystallize more quickly,” she explains.