Honey is a very tasty and healthy product that has immunostimulating and antibacterial properties. It contains many vitamins, organic acids and microelements. However, not everyone manages to maintain the benefits of the product for a long time. This directly depends on the capacity used. Therefore, many people are interested in whether it is possible to store honey in plastic containers for a long time.
Is it possible to store honey in plastic containers?
Plastic has firmly entered the lives of modern people.They are accustomed to using cans, bottles and containers made of this material. At the same time, it is allowed to keep honey in containers made of this material for no more than 1 year. The fact is that the beekeeping product contains many biologically active components. During long-term storage, the composition may absorb chemicals found in plastic containers.
The correct choice of packaging is of no small importance. It should have an image of a glass with a fork or the designation “PP”, “PP” or “5”. This means that the container is made of polypropylene. It is a durable and harmless material that can be heated to +130 degrees and cooled to -40.
It is also worth considering the type of cookware used. It is convenient to store honey in buckets or containers with a lid. However, such containers also have disadvantages. The lid does not fit very well, which leads to the saturation of the composition with foreign odors. Therefore, it should be kept in containers with screw lids. While the product is liquid, it can be easily poured into a bottle. When the mass crystallizes, the plastic can be easily cut.
Shelf life
Under natural conditions, the substance is stored in honeycombs for a very long time. This is due to its composition. Honey contains many vitamins, and therefore bacteria cannot survive in such an environment. At home, the shelf life of the product is a maximum of 3 years. Of course, after the specified period, honey will not deteriorate, but it may lose its beneficial properties.
Basic Rules
In order to preserve the maximum amount of useful components in honey for a long time, it is important to take into account many nuances.
Selection of containers
The taste and shelf life of the product directly depend on the correct choice of container. The most suitable options include:
- Clay pot. Such containers have been used for storage since ancient times. The product in it retains its properties for a long time. Earthenware does not allow light to pass through and helps maintain a constant temperature. To make it airtight, you can use wax.
- Glass jar. This material does not react with the product and helps maintain it in its original form. In addition, the glass jar can be tightly closed. This helps to avoid product contact with humid air and foreign odors. Since glass allows light to pass through, the container must be kept in a dark place.
- Plastic container. Such dishes are perfect for selling and transporting the product. However, you should not keep honey in it for a long time. Over time, plastic can react with food.
- Wooden utensils. This storage method has been used since ancient times. Wood helps maintain a uniform temperature and does not allow light to pass through. However, this option is not suitable for everyone. It is difficult to seal such containers hermetically. In addition, it is able to absorb foreign odors.
- Metal container. It is used by beekeepers to store small amounts of product. It is important that the container is made of stainless steel. Metals containing copper, zinc or lead are strictly prohibited.
Temperature and humidity
The optimal temperature for storing the substance is -6...+20 degrees. Therefore, it is best to keep it in a cool basement or cellar.When the composition is heated to +35 degrees, it loses its beneficial substances. With a greater increase in temperature, enzymes disintegrate and bactericidal characteristics disappear.
Honey easily absorbs moisture. Therefore, it should not be stored in a room with high humidity. In this case, the nectar may ferment. To avoid this, the container should be hermetically sealed.
Smells
The beekeeping product easily absorbs odors. Therefore, it should be kept away from toxic compounds, paints and varnishes, fuels and lubricants and polymer products.
UV rays
When exposed to direct sunlight, honey loses its antimicrobial properties. Therefore, it should be stored in a dark place.
Is it possible to eat honey that has crystallized in a plastic container?
Crystallization is considered a natural process, which indicates the naturalness of the substance. In this case, no chemical reactions occur. The process is influenced by a number of factors - temperature, humidity, mechanical stress, storage duration.
The main ingredients of honey are glucose and fructose. These substances form the basis of the process. In this case, glucose undergoes crystallization, while fructose remains liquid and surrounds the crystals.
Honey that has crystallized in a plastic container can be eaten as long as the product is stored correctly.
How to extend shelf life
In order for honey to retain its beneficial properties for as long as possible, it is important to provide it with the right conditions.These include the following:
- optimal temperature;
- low humidity;
- lack of sunlight.
Bees maintain a temperature of +5-15 degrees throughout the year. These are ideal parameters for storing honey.
Direct sunlight is considered the enemy of the product. They destroy beneficial substances. Therefore, the container with the product should be in a dark place. As for humidity, it should not exceed 70%.
