Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
As long as it is stored properly (out of direct sunlight, not exposed to direct heat and isn't frozen) it will last well beyond it's best before date. For health and safety purposes we recommend to consume your honey within three years of opening.
Beneficial bacteria and harmful heat
Heating honey to high temperatures – generally above 45-50°C – eliminates these benefits by killing the bacteria, enzymes, and antioxidants that make honey so powerful.
Honey can be stored pretty much anywhere, at any temperature. It's one of the few products in the world that never goes bad, due to its unique chemical composition.
Do not refrigerate honey. Keeping your honey in the refrigerator preserves it but the cool temperatures will cause your honey to form a semi-solid mass, so this method of storage is not recommended.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
Thanks to its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, manuka honey can be used to help treat wounds, improve your oral health, soothe a sore throat and treat ulcers and acne.
Studies have indicated that the activity of Australian active Manuka honeys can remain unchanged over a number of years. We recommend using your Manuka within 24 months and storing your Manuka properly below 25°C, in a cool, dry place.
Heating honey higher than 140 degrees F for more than 2 hours will cause rapid degradation.
There's no need to store honey in the fridge - it will stay fresh if you keep it tightly sealed. Keeping honey in the refrigerator can cause it to crystalize. For more visit the FDA's Are You Storing Your Food Safely?
Swirl into hot water or tea
If your throat is sore, one of the best ways to enjoy Manuka honey is to stir it into hot water or tea. A study by The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation highlighted that consuming Manuka honey can significantly lower the level of Streptococcus mutans – aka the bacteria that causes sore throats.
From supercharging your breakfasts, stirring into hot drinks, or simply taken off the spoon every morning or night – there is no right or wrong way to take Manuka honey. It is simply a question of your own personal preference and getting into a routine that suits you.
A maximum of two teaspoons a day (15g) is a good portion size of manuka honey, as while it has many impressive health benefits, it is still high in sugar. If you are using manuka honey as part of a balanced diet, try drizzling it over porridge, overnight oats or natural yogurt.
Manuka honey boasts many natural, beneficial properties that make it healthy too. Eating it regularly in small amounts (a spoonful a day) is recommended. If you're using it as an alternative to sugar and natural sweeteners, manuka honey is absolutely the best option.
Honey is best stored in your kitchen cupboard or pantry. That's because it's a coolish spot, out of direct sunlight. Between 10-20°C/50-68°F is perfect – as this temperature will keep it stable in the jar and not let it get too runny. And keep the lid tightly closed after each time to use it.
To reap the digestive benefits of Manuka honey, you should eat 1 to 2 tablespoons of it each day. You can eat it straight or add it to your food. If you'd like to work Manuka honey into your meal plan, consider spreading it onto a slice of whole grain toast or adding it to yogurt.
Lemon and honey in warm water is an ideal drink to alleviate constipation and for promoting digestion. This drink is beneficial in cleansing the colon and getting rid of the undigested food and toxins from the body.
Some studies also urge caution if you add honey to hot coffee, due to an organic compound that appears when the honey is heated through. Is honey toxic in hot coffee? When honey is heated above 104°F, some researchers say it releases a toxic compound called 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
But, even if you're not in it for the benefits of adding honey to your tea, it's even the ultimate tea sweetener. It's a good alternative to adding sugar to sweeten that bitter tea, it's all-natural!
Manuka honey's antibacterial properties are what set it apart from traditional honey. Methylglyoxal is its active ingredient and likely responsible for these antibacterial effects. Additionally, Manuka honey has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Although you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal or yoghurt, the best way to take Manuka Honey is straight from the jar. It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night.
Manuka honey is worth the cost if you're looking for the health benefits that have made it famous. With its high levels of antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, manuka honey is used in foods, skincare, and medicine throughout the world.
Manuka honey has an anti-inflammatory action that can help easepain and inflammation.
Manuka honey produces a prebiotic called fructo-oligosaccharides, which helps probiotics in the gut to stay healthy. Emerging research has also found Manuka to be effective in eradicating more than 50 species of harmful bacteria, many of which specifically target our digestive system!