Organic foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats are prime targets for microbes. Bacteria and fungi thrive in these environments. They break down the food, causing it to rot and smell bad. This is why we often have to refrigerate or heat food to keep it fresh. Honey is also an organic food packed with nutrients, but you could leave honey in your cupboard for years, and it would still be safe to eat. Why does it never go bad?
The first reason is that honey is incredibly low in water content. When bees make honey, they reduce the water content to about 17%. Most bacteria and other microbes need a lot of water to survive and multiply. Without enough water, they can’t grow. Honey’s low water content acts like a natural preservative, keeping it free from microbial growth.
Secondly, honey is highly acidic. Its pH level ranges from about 3.2 to 4.5, which is quite acidic. Most microbes can’t survive in such acidic conditions. The acidity in honey comes from the presence of organic acids, like gluconic acid, which bees produce during the honey-making process. This acidity creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria and other pathogens.
Another fascinating factor is honey’s sugar content. Honey is made up of about 80% sugars, primarily glucose and fructose. This high sugar concentration exerts osmotic pressure on microbial cells, meaning, the sugar draws water out of any bacteria or fungal spores that might land in the honey, dehydrating and killing them.
Honey also contains natural compounds with antimicrobial properties. One of these is hydrogen peroxide, which bees produce as a byproduct of converting nectar into honey. Hydrogen peroxide is a known disinfectant and helps prevent microbial growth. Additionally, honey has phytochemicals and antioxidants that also contribute to its antimicrobial effects.
Lastly, honey’s thickness also helps. The viscosity makes it difficult for microbes to move through and spread. This further helps in keeping honey fresh and safe for a long time.
Ancient Egyptians put several things in the tombs of kings and queens for them to use in their afterlife. One of them was pots of honey. Archaeologists have found these pots of honey from tombs that are over 3,000 years old and they are still perfectly edible. It’s a testament to nature’s clever ways of keeping food fresh.
Reference Links:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/does-honey-go-bad
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690
https://beemission.com/blogs/news/worlds-oldest-honey