Does Honey Turn Dark?
Yes, honey darkens over time. This is a natural process and doesn't indicate spoilage. While honey, when stored properly, never truly goes bad, its color and flavor can change.
Several factors contribute to honey darkening:
- Age: Honey naturally darkens with age. The longer it's stored, the deeper its color becomes. Source: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Storage Conditions: Exposure to heat and light can accelerate the darkening process. Honey stored in a warm, sunny location will darken faster than honey kept in a cool, dark place. Source: Beesource Beekeeping Forum
- Container: The type of container can also affect the honey's color. Metal or plastic containers can sometimes cause oxidation, leading to darkening. Source: Allrecipes interview with food scientist, Grad
- Honey Type: The original color of the honey will influence how dark it becomes over time. Darker honeys will naturally darken further. Source: Saratoga Tea & Honey Co.
- Chemical Reactions: Chemical reactions, such as oxidation, can contribute to the darkening of honey. Source: Quora
Is Darkened Honey Still Safe to Eat?
Absolutely! Even if honey darkens significantly, it remains safe to consume. The darkening process doesn't indicate spoilage or the presence of harmful bacteria. Source: Southern Living The flavor might change, becoming more intense or complex, but the honey remains perfectly edible. Source: Allrecipes
However, a black layer on top may indicate crystallization and separation of components, which is normal and not indicative of spoilage. Source: Reddit r/Beekeeping
Darkening of honey when mixed with tea is due to chemical reactions between tannins in tea and compounds in honey like iron. [Source: Reddit r/Beekeeping and ScienceForums.net](https://www.reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/1aj5al5/i_added_honey_to_green_tea_and_it_turned_black/, https://www.scienceforums.net/topic/120601-green-tea-turns-black-after-adding-honey/)
