Ralph and Karen Johnston asked:
 
>What is the "shelf life" of honey ?  This was our first harvest and do not
>know this.
 
There are two factors here.  One is the edibility of honey and the other is
consumer resistance to buying semi-candied honey off the shelf.
 
As far as edibility is concerned, there is no "use by" date.  Honey which
has been correctly stored at room temperature, out of direct sunlight or
exposure to heat, will remain edible indefinitely.  There will be loss of
aroma.
 
If the customers for your honey have not been educated that candying is a
natural process, easily reversed by standing the container in hot water
without damage to the honey, then should your honey begin candying on the
shelf of the store you will have problems.  Many Europeans appear to believe
that candying indicates purity but Australians have been known to throw out
candied honey in the belief it was "off".
 
Honey packers who cater for long supply lines and supermarket style outlets
heat treat their honey for a considerable period to avoid this problem.
Inevitably there is some loss of food value and flavour which the small
scale beekeeper retains.  Offering to take back any honey which candies
within, say, 6 months, may encourage stores to stock your product.  The
honey can easily be reliquefied by standing in a dead refrigerator fitted
with a light globe, as described in recent posts.  Recycle stock so you do
not have to heat the same jars more than once.
 
Different honeys candy at different rates.  There is an article in the ABC
and XYZ stating that candying rates depend on the proportions of the
different sugars.  It is also accelerated by not being allowed to settle,
incorrect filtering, storing in refrigerator or fluctuating storage
temperatures from cool to warm.  Blue gum and Pink Gum are noted for
non-candying properties and the honey from Black Locust (Robinia
pseudoaccacia) sold in Hungary as Acacia honey is remarkable for remaining
liquid.
 
If you are packing your own honey in jars, it is important to:
 
Ensure honey has been fully settled with dust and other particles skimmed
from the top
Raise temperature in controlled environment prior to final filtering
Ensure correct storage
 
The temperature you heat your honey to will depend on which market you are
aiming for.
 
Betty McAdam
HOG BAY APIARY
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
j.h. & e. mcadam<[log in to unmask]
http://kigateway.eastend.com.au/hogbay/hogbay1.htm