Storage

How to keep your honey

Unopened jars don't need to be refridgerated. Nor do opened jars.

However if moisture gets in the honey will absorb it, and that can lead to the honey fermenting. In such cases you can usually scrape the top half-inch off, and the rest will be fine, but that's probably a sign to not hang about too much longer.

But it's gone hard

Liquid honey can become crystalline and hard to get out of the jar. (if you buy 'set' honey, it starts out that way, and can set even harder!) You can soften it by warming. Either stand the jar in hot water for a while, or zap it in the microwave for a few seconds.

If you use the microwave be sure to remove the metal lid first, and remember that microwave heating tends to continue for a bit even after you take it out.

So how long will it keep?

You'll find a best-before date on the jars - this is an EU requirement much derided by beekeepers, who aren't supposed to remember that quite edible honey has been recovered from the pyramids. However, in the interests of selling you even more honey, please finish the jar before the sell-by date.