Manuka honey is one of the most wonderful products you can use to boost your health benefits. It can help you with your digestive system, sore throat, skin problems, and a lot more.
But, many people have trouble storing and preserving the Manuka honey to continue to enjoy the benefits. After all, the last thing you want is for the honey to spoil or lose its potency.
To give you an idea, here are some simple tips to help you store and preserve your Manuka honey products effectively.
1. Keep It in a Cool, Dry Place
Like many food products, Manuka honey should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
The heat and sunlight can degrade the quality of honey over time. This can affect its flavor, texture, and health benefits.
If you have a pantry or kitchen cabinet away from the stove and windows, then that might be the perfect spot. But, you need to make sure the temperature in the storage area stays relatively stable, ideally between 50°F and 70°F (10°C and 21°C).
Also, avoid placing your honey near heat sources or in humid environments because this can cause the honey to crystallize or ferment.
2. Use Airtight Containers
When it comes to storing manuka honey products, you need to use airtight containers.
Keeping your honey in an airtight container can protect it from moisture and contaminants in the air. If you don’t have any, you can also use glass jars with tight-fitting lids because they don’t react with the honey.
Plastic containers also work well but you should make sure they are food-grade and free from any chemicals that could leach into the honey.
Whenever you open the container to use the honey, make sure to close it as soon as possible.
3. Avoid Refrigeration
It can be tough to figure out what food products to refrigerate and what not to. Luckily, Manuka honey does not need to be refrigerated.
If you do, refrigerating honey can cause it to crystallize more quickly, making it hard and difficult to use. If you already have and your honey has crystallized, it’s still safe to eat. You can gently warm the container in warm water to return the honey to its liquid state.
Just be sure not to overheat it because the high temperatures can destroy the beneficial enzymes and nutrients in Manuka honey.
4. Keep It Clean
Every time you dip into your Manuka honey jar, make sure to use a clean, dry spoon.
If you use a spoon that has any water or contaminants on it, you might end up promoting the growth of bacteria and yeast, spoiling the honey.
With honey, metal spoons are a definite no. They can sometimes react with honey and change its flavor. Try to get some wooden or plastic spoons for the honey. Also, make sure the rim of the jar stays clean so you can have a tight seal when you close the lid.
5. Store Away from Strong Odors
By its nature, honey is hygroscopic. That means your honey can absorb moisture and odors from the environment.
To keep your Manuka honey products tasting pure and delicious, you should store them away from strong-smelling foods and substances. This includes items like onions, garlic, spices, and cleaning chemicals.
Storing honey in a sealed container further helps protect it from absorbing any unwanted smells that could alter its flavor.