Honey is a natural and very healthy product. It is widely used in cosmetology, and in medicine, and just as a sweet treat. It is an indispensable product in every home, but often we do not know how to store honey so that it does not lose its beneficial properties. After all, the content of vitamins and minerals in it depends on how correctly we treat it. Although honey does not lose its nutritional value for a very long time, its healing properties are lost if you take it lightly. Therefore, it is very important to know a few simple rules on how to store honey at home.
Choose the dishes
Previously, honey was stored in wooden barrels, they are so often depicted in the drawings. This method is still the leader. The only thing you need to be completely sure is that the moisture content of the wood is no more than 16% (the lower the better), its inside surface is waxed and made of deciduous tree - birch, cedar, aspen, linden or others. Only for this purpose oak will not work - in this case, honey will quickly darken. And in a barrel of coniferous trees, honey will acquire a smack of resin.
In second place - ceramic dishes. It is also made of natural material and does not transmit light, like wood. With long - term storage of honey, this factor is very important, because with constant exposure to light, it quickly loses its useful properties.
The third place is occupied by glass containers. This is the most popular way, since they are much easier to get. The main conditions - on glassware there should be no chips, cracks, it should be perfectly clean and dry. It is also undesirable to use a container where previously products with a strong odor were stored - cheese, fish, sauerkraut. Even if you wash it well, the smell inside will still remain, and honey will have an unpleasant aftertaste. Since glass transmits light, it is necessary to place such containers in a dark place.
Enameled dishes without damage are also suitable for storing honey. The surface must be perfect, otherwise honey from contact with the metal will quickly deteriorate. It is possible to use stainless steel dishes. In no case, copper, galvanized, iron, and also ware made of synthetic materials are suitable for these purposes. It is permissible to use plastic containers only for a short time; during prolonged storage, honey in such containers will deteriorate.
How to store honey in any dish?
The container in which honey will be stored should be tightly closed, and ideally be airtight. For long-term storage, you can choose the option of glass jars with rolling lids covered with food varnish. In this case, the humidity level in the room will not matter. If the dishes are not airtight, but simply closed, the place where honey is stored should be well ventilated. This delicacy has the property of "absorbing" moisture, and it can quickly become acidic. Some containers on the lids have rubber pads - feel free to use them. The stronger the delicacy will be closed - the better it will be preserved.
How to store honey - prerequisites
For this purpose, you need to choose a fairly dark place (cabinet or pantry), away from any products with a strong aroma. Otherwise, you risk getting honey with a pungent smack of fish. It should be reasonably dry and cool, but not cold. It is not recommended to store honey at sub-zero temperatures, as well as in the refrigerator - it is too wet for it there. Honeycombs are also stored.
If you store honey long enough, you will see a white coating on its surface. This is fructose, such “sugaring” is a natural process. Also, over time, honey will darken slightly.
Here is the basic information on how to store honey. If done correctly, it will remain tasty and healthy for a long time.