The secret behind honey's long shelf life.

Have you ever wondered how honey is able to remain unspoiled for several months?

It is very simple. It has low water activity.
Water activity is relative availability of water content.

Do you know that nectar as such is very dilute compared to honey? In the beehive, water from the nectar gets evoporated due to air flow created by the beating of honey bees' wings.

This low water content in the honey doesn't support the growth of micro-organisms or fermentation and hence the reason for honey's long shelf life.

Honey is 83% solid matter. It mainly consists of fructose and glucose. When the bees collect nectar, the sucrose in it is partially digested by the bees thus yielding the fructose and glucose.

Thank you Hindu!