04/08/2025
Archaeologists found 3,000-year-old honey in an Egyptian tomb, and it was still good to eat!
Honey may be the only food in the world with a literal forever shelf life.
Archaeologists excavating ancient Egyptian tombs have uncovered jars of honey sealed for over 3,000 years—and astonishingly, still perfectly edible.
This remarkable durability comes down to a mix of chemistry and biology: honey is low in water, high in sugar, and extremely acidic, creating an environment that destroys bacteria before they can survive. Bees add their own magic to the mix—through enzymes like glucose oxidase, they infuse honey with hydrogen peroxide, giving it not only longevity but natural antimicrobial power.
The preservation continues after the bees’ work is done. Processing and sealing honey helps prevent it from absorbing water from the air, a risk since its sugars are hygroscopic. While crystallization might occur over time, that change is cosmetic and reversible—it doesn’t mean the honey has spoiled. This alchemy of nature and science has also made honey a staple in ancient and modern medicine, with its thick consistency and antibacterial properties used to heal wounds for thousands of years. From tombs to trauma centers, honey remains a food—and a remedy—that defies time.
Source: Buchmann, S., & Repplier, B. (2005). Letters from the Hive: An Intimate History of Bees, Honey, and Humankind.
