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Honey can remain edible for thousands of years when sealed and kept dry; archaeologists have reported ancient Egyptian jars still unspoiled after more than 3,000 years.

Food science / archaeology (honey)

HealthHistory

Why it matters

The idea in context

The reason is chemistry: honey contains very little water, is naturally acidic, and includes an enzyme from bees that can produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Together they create an environment almost no microbe can use. Kept dry, honey does not fight decay so much as deny it a place to begin.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Bal, ağzı kapalı ve kuru kaldığında binlerce yıl bozulmadan dayanabilir; arkeologlar, 3.000 yılı aşan Mısır kavanozlarında hâlâ bozulmamış bal örnekleri bildirmiştir.

Nedeni kimyadır: Bal çok az su içerir, doğal olarak asidiktir ve arıların eklediği bir enzim az miktarda hidrojen peroksit üretebilir. Bunlar birlikte, neredeyse hiçbir mikrobun kullanamadığı bir ortam oluşturur. Kuru kaldığında bal çürümeyle savaşmaktan çok, ona başlayacak yer bırakmaz.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

Honey's low water activity, acidity and hydrogen peroxide inhibit microbial growth; edible honey reportedly recovered from ancient Egyptian tombs. National Geographic / Smithsonian reporting.

Background reading: HoneyAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
Open in the iPhone appEditorial method

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