Honey can stay good to eat for thousands of years. The secret starts with the bees.
How do bees make it?
Bees fan their wings over the nectar to dry it out. What is left is thick, sugary, and has very little water. Then they seal it inside the comb with a cap of wax.
Why do germs give up?
Germs need water to grow. Honey is so dry and sugary that germs inside it dry out, too. It is also acidic, and the bees add a natural germ killer.
Is there a catch?
There is just one catch. Keep the lid closed. Honey soaks up water from the air, and too much water lets it spoil. And if it turns hard and cloudy, it is not bad. It has just crystallized.
