A Moment of Science
A jar of honey that's been opened and resealed can stay on the shelf for years. Archaeologists have even found ancient jars with unspoiled honey inside.
Today honey is mostly used for its distinctive flavor, but for baking it has another advantage as well: baked goods made with honey take longer to get stale.
The high concentration of sugar in honey forces the water out of any yeast or bacteria cells that could otherwise contaminate the food.
How does a bee colony develop? It all begins with the queen. Learn more on this Moment of Science.
Learn about the fascinating lives of bees on this Moment of Science.
Honeybees make propolis by collecting the secretions of trees and other plants where they live; thus the make-up of propolis varies depending on the plant life around. Researchers have found the propolis of Brazilian honeybees to be particularly potent when it comes to protecting teeth.
Since botulism bacteria cannot survive in oxygen, they form spores that lie dormant until they’re in an oxygen-free environment. For example, the oxygen-free insides of canned goods are prime breeding grounds for botulism.
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