Executive Summary:
- Exposure to extreme heat may impact the texture and the enzymatic profile of your Manuka honey, but it won’t affect the MGO content.
- To protect the flavor and texture of your Manuka honey, keep it sealed tightly and store it in a cool, dark place—like the pantry.
- The ideal storage temperature for Manuka honey is between 50-77 degrees Fahrenheit (10-25 degrees Celsius).
- Avoid refrigeration if possible—it causes recrystallization, which alters the texture of Manuka honey.
- To revive Manuka honey that’s runny from heat, store it in a cool place to thicken naturally.
- If your honey has recrystallized, place the jar in lukewarm water to restore its texture.
How to Store Manuka Honey Properly During Hot Summer Months
You already know heat changes things—ice cream melts, fruit ripens, and marshmallows turn golden and gooey. What about Manuka honey?
Known for its thick, creamy texture and rich, caramel-like flavor, Manuka honey is sensitive to high temperatures. When exposed to excessive heat—like during the peak of summer or through improper storage—its texture and consistency can change.
While the MGO remains stable, heat can impact the honey’s overall experience, from the mouthfeel to the delicate balance of its natural enzymes. To preserve its full integrity, we recommend storing your Manuka honey in a cool, dry place. In this article, we explore these recommendations in more detail and help you uncover ways to protect your Manuka honey against the hot heat of summer.
How Heat Affects Manuka Honey
Like all natural products, honey undergoes subtle changes over time—but proper storage can help preserve its quality. Knowing how heat impacts Manuka honey allows you to protect its texture, flavor, and beneficial properties—so every spoonful is as good as the first.
High temperatures cause Manuka honey to lose its signature thick, creamy consistency, making it runnier and less enjoyable to use. Fluctuating temperatures may also lead to uneven crystallization, which can affect its smoothness and your overall enjoyment of this precious honey.
While MGO (methylglyoxal)—an abundant natural antibiotic nutrient in Manuka honey—is stable even under heat, other nutrients are more delicate. Enzymes, for example, are sensitive to high temperatures, and prolonged exposure can alter their natural activity. When it comes down to it, to keep your Manuka honey at its best, store it in a cool, dry place—away from direct sunlight and heat.
The Best Way to Store Manuka Honey in Hot Weather
Here’s a quick guide about how to store your Manuka honey and retain all of its goodness.
Ideal Storage Temperature
To keep it at its best, store your Manuka honey between 50-77 degrees Fahrenheit (10-25 degrees Celsius). To help with this, avoid keeping it near windows—where temperature fluctuates—stovetops, or in direct sunlight.
Choose the Right Storage Spot
The best place to keep your Manuka honey is in a cool, dark spot, like your pantry or kitchen cupboard. You may be tempted to store it in the refrigerator, but low temperatures can cause excessive crystallization, which alters the texture of your liquid gold.
Seal the Jar Properly
After use, seal your jar tightly—you may need to clean the rim with a dry paper towel if you’ve dropped some honey on it. If the jar isn’t sealed correctly, moisture may enter the jar and cause your honey to spoil—or even ferment.
Can You Refrigerate Manuka Honey?
Placing your Manuka honey in the refrigerator can cause rapid crystallization, which makes it grainy and more difficult to scoop. It also changes its texture, which is noticeable if you like to eat it by the heaping teaspoon straight out of the jar.
Yet, short-term refrigeration may be a good idea if you live in an extreme climate where room temperature hits 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). For best results, allow your Manuka honey to return to room temperature before use.
How to Revive Honey That Has Been Exposed to Heat
Life happens. If your Manuka honey has been exposed to extreme heat, you can revive it. Here’s how.
If It’s Become Too Runny…
Let physics do its work. To restore the thick, creamy texture of your Manuka honey, simply place it in a cooler spot and give it time to cool down and thicken naturally.
If It Has Crystallized Too Much…
Exposure to cold temperatures or temperature fluctuations can cause your Manuka honey to recrystallize.
Make sure it’s sealed tightly, and gently warm the jar in lukewarm water (below 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius) to restore its smooth and creamy texture. Avoid microwaving the honey as very high temperatures alter its nutrient profile.
Manukora’s Commitment to Quality & Freshness
Storing your Manuka honey properly matters—but so does choosing the right honey from the start. At Manukora, we’re committed to producing high-quality, raw Manuka honey sourced straight from the heart of New Zealand’s untouched Manuka tea tree forests. Every jar is authentic, nutrient-dense, and fully traceable, crafted with care from hive to your hands.
Our honey is raw and unprocessed, made using traditional beekeeping methods that prioritize the well-being of our bees and the natural integrity of the honey itself. We never heat-treat or heavily filter our product, preserving the naturally high MGO content and creamy texture that sets Manukora apart.
To ensure purity and unmatched quality, our hives are placed in remote, pristine locations—far from pesticides, contaminants, and other floral sources. This allows us to offer honey that’s as close to nature as it gets.
Every jar is also traceable to its exact origin. With a quick scan of the QR code, you can learn where your honey came from, explore its nutrient profile, and connect with the story behind it. We believe in full transparency—because you deserve to know exactly what you're putting on your spoon.
Remember that Manuka honey is a raw, natural product. Natural variations in color and texture are normal from batch to batch. At Manukora, these variations are further evidence of authentic and ethically produced Manuka honey.
If you’ve never experienced the delicious and unique goodness of Manuka honey, explore Manukora’s premium Manuka honey. It is sourced from the pristine regions of New Zealand and crafted for quality and freshness—it’s honey you can trust.
A great place to start your Manukora Manuka journey is with our Superhoney Starter Kits, including our MGO 600+ Starter Kit, MGO 850+ Starter Kit, and MGO 1000+ Starter Kit.
With proper storage, Manuka honey remains a rich, nutrient-dense addition to your daily routine—supporting your health naturally, one spoonful at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does heat ruin Manuka honey?
No, but prolonged exposure to high temperatures may alter its texture and enzymatic profile. Thus, it’s best to store Manuka honey in a cool, dry place.
Should I store Manuka honey in the fridge?
It is not recommended to store Manuka honey in the fridge unless the ambient temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).
What happens if honey becomes too runny?
Simply store it in a cool place, giving it time to thicken naturally!
Can I warm crystallized honey?
Yes, gently warm it in lukewarm water, but avoid using a microwave or boiling water, as prolonged exposure to high temperatures may deplete its natural nutrients.
Sources:
Honey: Chemical composition, stability and authenticity - ScienceDirect
Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview - PubMed
