ORIGINS

Honey is one of the very few foods that almost never spoils.

Archaeologists discovered pots of honey in 3,000-year-old Egyptian tombs that were still safe to eat, thanks to honey's unique properties.

1 min read
A cheerful cartoon bee buzzes next to a jar of golden honey and a shiny red apple on a bright yellow background.
THE FULL STORY

Archaeologists have found pots of honey in 3,000-year-old Egyptian tombs that were still safe to eat. Honey’s very low water content and natural acidity make it almost impossible for microbes to grow in - though if it absorbs water from the air it can ferment. A few other things last almost forever too if kept dry, like pure salt, sugar and white rice. But honey is the most famous example by far.