
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’ve probably come across the viral trend of freezing honey to create a chewy, candy-like snack. Creators across the platform have been squeezing globs of chilled honey out of plastic bottles, delighting viewers with the satisfying texture and natural sweetness. But beyond the TikTok hype, you might be wondering: Can honey actually freeze?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. While honey can be chilled or solidified at low temperatures, its unique composition makes it resistant to freezing in the traditional sense. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the science behind freezing honey, explain how it reacts to cold temperatures, and help you decide whether freezing is a practical option for preserving or enjoying your honey.
Can You Put Honey in the Freezer?
Yes, you can put honey in the freezer at home! However, whether it’s beneficial or not depends on your intentions. Freezers are typically used to preserve food by slowing bacterial growth, but honey behaves a bit differently compared to other foods.
Will Honey Freeze in a Standard Freezer?
From a scientific standpoint, natural honey doesn’t freeze in the traditional sense. Freezing refers to a liquid turning into a solid, but most at-home freezers (set to 0°F) aren’t cold enough to turn honey solid. Instead, honey stored at these temperatures will crystallize, developing a cloudy appearance. The texture will change, but it will remain viscous, meaning it still flows—just more slowly than at room temperature.
In extremely cold environments, such as between -4°F and -60°F, honey transitions into a glassy, semi-solid state. At temperatures below -60°F, honey becomes an amorphous solid, resembling glass. However, this requires industrial-grade freezing equipment, far colder than the typical household freezer.
Should You Freeze Honey?
The short answer is no, you don’t need to freeze honey. Honey naturally has a low moisture content, which makes it inhospitable to bacteria and mold. This natural preservation allows honey to stay good indefinitely if stored correctly in a cool, dry place. Freezing honey can introduce some unnecessary risks, such as:
Moisture exposure: Freezers are often damp environments, and any moisture that comes in contact with honey can cause fermentation, which is one of the few things that can spoil honey.
Contamination risks: Other items in the freezer may harbor bacteria or odors that could negatively affect the honey.
The Best Way to Store Honey
Instead of freezing honey, the best way to preserve it is by storing it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. This method ensures your honey stays fresh and ready to use in recipes or for drizzling over your favorite foods.
Explore Premium Honey from The Enchanted Hive
At The Enchanted Hive, we celebrate the natural goodness and versatility of honey. Our artisanal collection, offers a luxurious touch to your pantry, perfect for enhancing recipes or savoring by the spoonful.
Comments