How Long to Store Honey

by Bill
(Arizona)

We have had pretty good luck storing honey in glass containers. Our experience with metal containers is completely different, and I would not label that storage situation as "indefinite". Our honey was 20-25 years old and stored in 5 gallon metal containers. It turned dark and unpalatable and we discarded it.

Admin Response

You are correct that storing honey in metal cans will eventually change the taste of the honey. Honey is acidic and will corrode metal cans and absorb the tin and iron and possibly zinc.

I have read from others who have honey stored in metal cans that it turned black and tasted metallic. Some kept their honey, reheated it and put it into glass bottles. If the taste was too objectionable, they used it for medicinal purposes or in something that disguised the taste. (Not sure what that would be, however.)

Thank you for providing this information. I will add it to my page as a warning to others.

Joan