Is it possible to store honey in plastic containers: how long and in what container to keep

Honey is a very tasty and he althy product that has immunostimulating and antibacterial properties. It contains many vitamins, organic acids and trace elements. At the same time, not everyone succeeds in maintaining 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.

Can honey be stored in plastic containers

Plastic has firmly entered the life of modern people. They are accustomed to using jars, 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. If stored for a long time, the composition may absorb chemicals that are in plastic containers.

The right choice of packaging is important. It must 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 up to +130 degrees and cooled down to -40.

It is also worth considering the type of dishes used. Honey is conveniently stored in buckets or containers with an attached lid. However, these containers also have disadvantages. The lid does not fit too well, which leads to the saturation of the composition with foreign odors. Therefore, it should be kept in a container with screw lids. As long as the product is liquid, it can be easily poured into a bottle. When the mass crystallizes, the plastic will easily cut.

Shelf life

Under natural conditions, the substance is stored in honeycombs for a very long time. This is due to its composition. There are many vitamins in honey, 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.

If the product is transferred to special barrels soaked in propolis, this period will increase to 15 years. However, in a standard apartment, this can be very problematic. In any case, the shelf life of the product is affected not only by the container, but also by many other factors.

Basic rules

In order to keep the maximum amount of useful components in honey for a long time, it is important to take into account many nuances.

Tare selection

The taste and shelf life of the product directly depend on the correct choice of capacity. The most suitable options are:

1. Clay pot. Such containers have been used for storage since ancient times. The product in it retains its properties for a long time. Earthenware keeps light out and helps maintain a constant temperature. You can use wax to seal it.
2. Glass jar. This material does not react with the product and helps to keep it in its original form. In addition, the glass jar can be tightly closed. This helps to avoid contact of the product with moist air and foreign odors. Since glass transmits light, keep the container in a dark place.
3. 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.
4. Wooden utensils. This method of storage has been used since ancient times. Wood helps maintain the same temperature and keeps light out. However, this option is not suitable for everyone. Such a container is difficult to seal tightly. In addition, it is able to absorb foreign odors.
5. Metal container. It is used by beekeepers to store a small amount 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 optimum 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 higher temperature increase, the enzymes decompose, and the 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

Bee product easily absorbs odors. Therefore, it should be kept away from toxic compounds, paints and varnishes, fuels and lubricants and polymer products.

UV rays

Under the influence of direct sunlight, honey loses its antimicrobial properties. Therefore, it should be stored in a dark place.

Can I eat crystallized honey 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 time.

The main ingredients of honey are glucose and fructose. These substances are at the heart of the process. In this case, glucose undergoes crystallization, while fructose remains liquid and surrounds the crystals.

If the composition contains more glucose, it crystallizes earlier. This, in particular, is characteristic of the sunflower product. If the composition is dominated by fructose, fewer crystals are formed, as is observed in acacia honey.

Honey that has crystallized in a plastic container may well be eaten if the product is properly stored.

How to extend the shelf life

In order for honey to retain its beneficial properties 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 throughout the year maintain a temperature of +5-15 degrees. These are ideal parameters for storing honey.

Direct sunlight is considered the enemy of the product. They destroy nutrients. Therefore, the container with the product should be in a dark place. As for humidity, it should not exceed 70%.

Storage of honey has many features. It is perfectly acceptable to keep it in a plastic container. However, this material is not suitable for long-term use. Also, when storing honey, it is important to control the parameters of humidity and temperature.

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