How to Use Honey in Tea
Honey and tea have been natural companions for centuries. Honey was the first natural sweetener available to a wide range of peoples. Whether you’re looking to soothe a sore throat, enjoy an antioxidant boost, or simply enhance your tea experience, honey can be the perfect addition. This guide shows you how to use honey in tea and gives a few of the many choices to consider.
I’m a beekeeper so I have a lot of first hand experience with honey. In fact, everyone should because there are so many ways to use honey. Though being a southern girl – I’m not a connoisseur or hot tea. My friends tell me it is awesome.
Choosing the Right Type of Honey
Choosing the right honey for your cup of tea might be more confusing than you think. Is it important to you to use raw honey for possible increased nutrients? The terms raw, pure and natural are often used rather loosely in marketing.
When shopping, read the honey label on the jar closely and try to understand exactly what you are getting. A blend is just fine but know what you are paying for.
Light vs Dark
Bees make honey from many different nectar sources. Each floral source provides it’s own flavors, aromas and even colors. In general, light colored honey tends to be more mild – while dark honey can be very bold.
Sometimes, you can even find purple honey – that occurs naturally but that is a rare one. A regional favorite in my area is Sourwood Honey, we can never produce enough it. Some of my mountains friends say that Sourwood is the ONLY honey 😉
Educate yourself on the different varieties or types of honey and their range in flavor. You may want a strong or bold flavor that you can taste or something more delicate that does not overpower your tea.
Best Way to Sweeten Tea with Honey
Over-heating can destroy some of the nutritional benefits of raw honey. For this reason, it is truly best to wait until after the steeping process to add it in.
- Heat the water for your cup, mugs or pitcher.
- Add the tea bag and let it steep the desired amount of time.
- Remove tea leaves or bag and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
- Cautiously take a sip. If it doesn’t burn your mouth – it is time to stir in the honey.
If you are making iced tea, the same principle applies. Brew your tea in the manner desired, let it cool on the counter for just a bit.
Then, stir honey in the tea while it is still warm – before placing in refrigerator or adding ice.
How much honey to use to sweeten tea you may ask? Well, it depends. I start with a tablespoon for a cup of tea. Then, adjust for your particular taste preference.
The variety of honey used may also require more or less to get the flavor you desire. Use the same principle to make honey sweetened lemonade – it is good hot or cold.
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Nourishing Qualities Honey Adds to Your Brew
Many resources tout the benefits that honey brings to your cup of tea. Of course, it is just fine to do so because it tastes good, right?
- natural sweetener
- antioxidant properties
- energy boost
- soothing effects
Nature’s Sweetener
As people become more concerned about health, they are paying more attention to the foods that they eat.
Other than strict vegans – who do not eat honey as a rule, it is a good alternative to granulated sugar or synthetic sweeteners.
Antioxidants and Immune Support
Honey has antibacterial properties and antioxidants. It also contains magnesium, potassium and enzymes, in addition minerals and vitamins.
While experts disagree on the level of health benefit received through honey consumption, we do know that it contains good things that our bodies need.
Hot tea sweetened with honey can soothe indigestion problems. And, some people swear it helps allergy sufferers.
Do keep in mind that a very small percentage of the population can actually be allergic to honey! Oh, the horror
Energy from Honey
And the end of the day, honey is sugar. These natural carbohydrates can give you a slight boost in a much more satisfying way than sugary drinks or caffeine.
That’s why some folks enjoy making homemade honey sticks to take along while hiking or running. I like making them with my honey – but hey not everyone is a beekeeper! You can buy them in a variety of flavors ready to go – a great gift idea.
Soothing
Of course, a hot cup of tea with honey is very soothing. In fact, honey and cinnamon for cough and cold relief is a common home treatment.
One of my go to’s during the cold and flu season is a honey, lemon and ginger tonic that I keep on hand for sore throats.
Popular Tea and Honey Pairings
As with any flavor, your personal taste preference plays a role in deciding which is the best for you.
Here are some popular combinations but don’t get hung up on them. You can just use regular honey – choose a mild one to avoid over-powering delicate tea flavor.
- Blueberry or Orange Blossom with Earl Grey or any Breakfast Tea
- Tupelo, Clover, or Holly with Jasmine tea
- Clover, Linden or Avocado with Green teas
- Alfalfa, Sage or Clover with Chamomile tea
Is Honey Toxic When Added to Hot Tea?
Any raw product that is over heated can experience a decline in its natural properties. Even with vegetables, we all know it is possible to over cook them.
They lose color, flavor and nutritional value. How dangerous is heat and how hot is too hot?
Ayurveda Principles
The idea of honey becoming toxic when heated dates back to those who followed the Ayurveda beliefs.
In general, adhering to the idea that it was important to consume raw foods without changing any of their molecular structure.
But, if heat made honey truly toxic, what about pasteurized honey. No longer a raw food, it that has been pasteurized (heated) to kill any bacteria that might be present. This allows people with immune problems to enjoy it safely.
FAQs
Honey is a raw food that should not be consumed by young children or immune suppressed individuals. However, for most of the honey-loving public, it is a nutritious sweetener that is safe.
Personal preference and it depends on how big the cup is. For a standard 8 oz cup, most people start with 1 tablespoon and adjust up or down for personal tastes.
Don’t add honey to boiling water. Let things cool down just a bit. This is the best way to use honey in tea as a natural sweetener without losing its health benefits..
From the viewpoint of taste, yes – it sweetens tea and adds its own floral overtones to the flavor.
If you are using raw honey and want to preserve all it’s natural goodness – brew the tea first – let it cool and bit and then stir in your honey.
Final Thoughts
Tea is a soothing drinking that brings comfort and soothes ills of the mind and body. Sometimes, we just love holding a hot cup of tea – even if the weather is nice. So put on the tea pot, pour a hot cup – let it cool a few minutes and add your favorite honey. It is rather fun to use a mini pack of honey varieties and see if folks can guess when flavor you used.