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Farm Kitchen:  honey storage question  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 31 2007 : 6:39:43 PM
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| We just got a gallon of honey from a friend of a friend of a friend. . .and I'm wondering how to keep it. It's in 2 half gallon containers. I use quite a bit with bread making, etc. . .but a gallon is a large quantity. Any ideas? can you freeze it? Thanks so much! |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2007 : 8:27:46 PM
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Honey Storage: Honey has an indefinite shelf-life due to its high concentration of sugar. Keep it in a cool location away from direct sunlight in a tightly covered container. Honey may be frozen, although there's really no need.
Honey Storage
Both liquid honey and comb honey should be stored properly to maintain their quality. For home use, store them (in a covered container) in a dry location at 70-75 degrees F. Honey tends to absorb moisture, which can lower its quality; the higher the temperature at which honey is stored, the more likely it is to be damaged.
For long-term storage, keep both liquid and comb honey in a freezer at 0-10 degrees F. The comb honey should be enclosed in moisture-proof/vapor-proof plastic before it is put into the freezer, and allowed to warm to room temperature before using.
During storage, honey gradually becomes a darker color and changes flavor and composition. Differences can be seen in less than one year. Freezing stops such changes almost completely and preserves all the natural goodness of the honey.
Only finely crystallized or creamed honey should be kept in a refrigerator or in similar cool locations. Refrigerator temperatures cause honey to granulate (crystallize) very quickly.
If honey crystallizes, remove lid and place jar in warm water until crystals dissolve. Or microwave 2 cups of honey in microwave-safe containers at HIGH (100%) 2-3 minutes or until crystals dissolve; stir every 30 seconds. Do not boil or scorch.
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2007 : 05:07:17 AM
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| if I freeze it, will it harden, or just stay the same/if it changes, how do I thaw it? |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2007 : 3:56:07 PM
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Oh gosh, honey has gotten so expensive, so when I find a deal I buy as much as I can afford. It lasts forever, so I don't really worry about storage. I keep mine in canning jars.
I live in a generally cool but humid climate and find that the honey will crystalize. I either take the medal lid off and microwave it until the crystals are gone. Or boil a pan of water and then set the jar in that pan once I pull it off the stove until the crystals are gone. This doesn't hurt the honey in any way.
Jana |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2007 : 4:37:35 PM
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SheilaC
No, honey will not freeze, or become hard in the freezer as there is not enough moisture in it to freeze. It will get very thick, but it
will not crystalize.....it'll just get very cold. If you keep it in a "cool" place it will crystalize, but not if you put it in a freezer. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2007 : 07:21:28 AM
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Store in quart jars with lids. Sealing the lids like you would in regular canning is not really necessary.
Keep out of direct sun, so storage in a below the counter area would be best.
We planted buckwheat in our fileds this summer, and the honey in our neighbor's supers is really dark! |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2007 : 7:36:26 PM
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I've read that Honey is the only food product that does not spoil. It may crystallize or get darker, but will remain edible forever. Thought that interesting when I read it.
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Farm Kitchen: honey storage question |
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honey storage question
