Are there really foods that last forever? Is it possible that there is something that we put in our mouths that does not expire? Stop and think for a moment about the answer to these questions. It is possible that if you have read the title of this article you already know more or less where the answer is headed… And yes, we have to tell you that you are completely right: honey does NOT expire.
As you probably already know, honey is produced naturally by bees, thanks to the nectar of flowers and their own secretions. After concentrating it in honeycombs, it is extracted and separated from the wax that these contain, ending the process with a clean, natural honey with a complete composition of carbohydrates, enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Before you is a food with a multitude of different properties that you can keep for years without spoiling. Incredible true? There are many tips that you can put into practice to preserve honey so that it lasts a lifetime at home without crystallizing and in perfect condition to consume.
The best way to store honey and ALWAYS preserve its properties
- The honey that best preserves all its properties is natural, the one that does not contain additives or preservatives. It is possible that if you buy it in the supermarket in a plastic jar it has added colorings and sugars, so our recommendation is: get a natural one.
- Choose a glass or clay container to keep it. If you have acquired it naturally, chances are it already comes in such a container. But if, on the contrary, you have the honey stored in a plastic container, you will not be able to keep it in good condition since the plastic changes over time and can even release some of its components. In addition, this type of packaging does not resist or insulate from changes in temperature. Changes that greatly affect the quality of honey.
- It is important that you close the container where you put the honey. In this way, you will prevent oxygen from coming into contact with the honey, causing it to lose its flavor.
- Find a place at room temperature. Do not put it near heat sources but neither in the fridge. The room temperature of the kitchen or a pantry will be perfect to keep it. To give you an idea, the temperature can range between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.
- If you want to save space in the pantry or you want to keep the honey for a long time, you can also choose to freeze it. To do this, you will have to take into account that when frozen it increases its volume a little. When you want to defrost it, just leave it at room temperature or put it in a water bath.
What benefits does honey bring us?
- We could say that honey is practically a multipurpose food. Not only does it have many beneficial properties for our body and our health, but its use is also incredibly beneficial for our hair or skin.
- First of all, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it relieves sore throats and coughs, improves hoarseness, and provides sweetness, being a healthier food than processed sugar. If you are looking to replace white sugar with more natural ones, honey is a good option, even to add to coffee!
- On the other hand -and although it is not appreciated so much- it also helps us inside. It strengthens our immune system, fights insomnia and activates the brain thanks to its composition of calcium, phosphorus and iron.
- On the other hand, we can apply it to eliminate burn marks and pimples, achieving hydrated, bright and luminous skin. Hair is another of the beneficiaries on this list. By mistreating it daily with dryers, irons, sun… It gradually becomes damaged and loses its shine and strength, it becomes more brittle. There are many homemade masks to make with honey that manage to restore shine and hydration to our hair.