Why does honey never spoil?

It has already stopped to think that while other foods rot in weeks, honey can last millennia Without spoiling? Over 3,000 years - And still edible!

But what makes honey a real overall immune to time? food that intrigues scientists and cooks for centuries.

The science behind the eternity of honey

1. Low water content (and the power of concentrated sugar)

Honey is basically pure sugar (80%) with only 17% WATER. hypertonic, where:

✅ Bacteria and fungi die dehydrated - The sugar "sucks" their water.
✅ There is no moisture for decomposition - Free water is essential for rot.

It is the same principle that makes salt keep meat and sugar preserve jams.

2. Natural acidity: an inhospitable environment for microbes

Honey has a pH between 3 and 4.5 (almost like vinegar).

🔬 Prevents proliferation of most microorganisms.
🦠 Just a few extremely resistant bacteria They survive - and yet, without multiplying.

Curiosity: The human stomach has a similar pH (1.5 to 3.5), showing how honey is naturally “projected” to be stable.

3. Hydrogen peroxide: the natural antibiotic of honey

When bees produce honey, they add an enzyme (oxidase glucose) that, in contact with water, releases hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide).

💊 Effect:

Act antiseptic.
Eliminates bacteria that try to develop.

Therefore, honey was used as medicine In wounds in Ancient Greece and even World War II!

But then… can honey last forever?

Almost. He just spoils in 2 Rare situations:

1️⃣ If contaminated (Ex.: Dirty spoon introducing water and fungi).
2️⃣ If absorbing humidity from the air (So tightly closed pots are essential).

Other than that, honey can:

Crystallize (but just warm in a water bath to return to normal).
Darling over time (without losing food security).

Was the honey in Egyptian tombs edible?

Yes! honey vessels In the Tutancâmon Pharaoh's tomb - and he was still in good condition.

🍯 Why didn't you rot?

Dry desert environment.
Perfect sealing of the pots.
Antibacterial properties of honey.

How to store honey to last (almost) forever

Want to make sure your honey last decades?

✔ Store in hermetic glass pot (plastic can release chemicals over time).
✔ Keep in a cool and cool place (Far from the direct sun).
✔ Use clean and dried spoons (No moisture!).

One of the greatest wonders of natural food

Honey is not only delicious - it is a Nature's masterpiece, perfect in your ability to preserve yourself.

The next time you get that pot at the bottom of the pantry, remember: you are holding one of the few foods truly immortal.

And you, did you know all this about honey?

What was the curiosity that surprised you the most? Share in the comments!

🍯 Spread this sweetness! Mark a friend who loves Mel or share this post for more people to discover this wonder of food.