If you're like me, you love a good cup of tea. But finding the perfect honey to sweeten your cup can be a real challenge.
There are so many brands on the market, and they all claim to be the best. How can you know which one is really worth your money?
Look no further, my friends. I've done the research for you and compiled a list of the five best honeys for tea. From raw and organic honey to filtered and unfiltered, I've got you covered.
So sit back, relax, and pour yourself a nice cup of tea. And don't forget the honey! ;)
What IS Honey & How Does It Even Come To "Bee" In The First Place?
Honey is a substance that is made by bees using the nectar of flowers. It takes quite a bit of work for bees to gather enough nectar to make even a small amount of honey!
Flying from flower to flower, the bees collect pollen on their legs and store nectar in their stomachs before taking it back to the hive.
Once they're back at the hive, they regurgitate the nectar into the mouths of the house bees. These bees then chew on the nectar and mix it with enzymes from their own salivary glands.
This process breaks down the complex carbohydrates in the nectar into simpler sugars like glucose and fructose. The bees continue to pass the nectar between each other until it is fully mixed and ready to be stored in a honeycomb.
When the honeycomb is full, the bees seal off the comb with wax to prevent evaporation. And voila! You have honey!
Now let's talk about all of the different kinds of honey out there and which ones are gonna give fresh lemon juice a run for their money!
7 Of MANY Raw Honey Health Benefits
#1) Aids With Weight Loss
Honey has long been touted as a natural way to help with weight loss. But how exactly? The answer lies in metabolism.
Our metabolism is the process by which our body burns calories for energy. A faster metabolism means more calories are burned, and honey has been shown to help increase metabolism.
"Honey intake also reduces blood sugar levels and prevents excessive weight gain." So if you're looking for a natural way to boost your metabolism and help with weight loss, add some honey to your diet. Easy-peazy!
#2) May Boost Immune-System
Honey is more than just a sweet treat - it's also packed with antioxidants that can benefit your immune system. Antioxidants are molecules that help to protect cells from damage, and they're essential for good health.
Polyphenols, the antioxidants in honey, can help to combat oxidative stress, helping to minimize potential damage to cells. They can also help to reduce inflammation, which can lead to a whole host of health problems.
Furthermore, antioxidants have been shown to boost the activity of immune cells, making them more efficient at fighting off infection.
So, not only does honey taste delicious, but it can also help to keep your immune system healthy - talk about a sweet deal!
#3) May Provide Cough Relief
When it comes to dealing with a cough, few things are more effective than honey.
Honey has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for treating upper respiratory symptoms.
In addition, honey is also a powerful expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and making it easier to cough up. As a result, honey can be an extremely effective remedy for both dry and productive coughs.
What's more, honey is completely natural and easily accessible, making it a great first-line treatment for coughs of all kinds.
#4) Promotes Burn And Wound Healing
According to an article on PubMedCentral, "Honey's anti-bacterial action, low pH, high viscosity, hygroscopic effect, and its hydrogen peroxide content all play a combined role in honey's effectiveness in burns treatment."
The anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of honey make it extremely useful for anyone trying to heal a pesky wound or speed up their healing time overall.
#5) May Provide Allergy Relief
If you suffer from allergies, you may have heard that local honey can help. Local honey is thought to help with allergies because it contains small amounts of pollen from local plants you may be reacting to.
It's said that by consuming local honey, you're essentially practicing "immunotherapy" on yourself, which can help to reduce your allergic reactions.
However, this one may be more wishful thinking than fact considering most seasonal allergies are set off in people from their local weeds, grasses, and trees and NOT airborne pollen from flowers.
#6) May Help Improve Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that results in dry, cracked, and itchy skin. The symptoms of eczema can be extremely uncomfortable, making it difficult to live a normal life.
Honey can help with this annoying condition due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and hydrating properties.
Honey can also help with dandruff because of its anti-fungal properties.
#7) May Boost Energy
When it comes to energy, honey is the clear winner over sugar. That's because honey is made up of glucose and fructose, which are absorbed into your bloodstream at different rates.
The glucose is absorbed quickly, giving you an instant energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly, providing sustained energy.
So if you're looking for something to give you a quick pick-me-up that'll last longer, reach for honey instead of sugar.
Honey Varieties By Flavor/Flower
There are all sorts of different flowers that bees can use to make honey. And depending on what kind of flower they use, the honey will have a different flavor.
For example, honey made from clover is going to taste a lot different than honey made from lavender.
Here are some of the flowers that lend to the wide array of flavored honey options along with some suggestions on which type of tea to pair it with:
Clover
Clover honey is a mild-flavored tea that is light in color and has a sweet flavor. It is one of the most popular types of honey and can be found in most grocery stores.
It pairs well with tisanes, or herbal teas, as well as with green and white teas. When it comes to tisanes, a mild honey like clover honey pairs particularly well with chamomile and lavender tea and helps to accentuate the floral notes in these teas, giving them a slight sweetness that is not overpowering.
As for green and white teas, clover honey works well as a sweetener for these more delicate teas. It does not overshadow the flavor of the tea, but rather enhances it and makes it more rounded.
Lavender
Lavender honey has a medium sweet taste with a hint of floral flavor. It's a versatile honey that pairs well with both herbal and black teas.
For a refreshing cup of tea, try pairing lavender honey with lemon verbena or Earl Grey tea. For something a bit sweeter, try it with lavender-scented black tea or chamomile tea.
Orange Blossom
As you might expect, orange blossom honey has a surprisingly sweet and delicate, citrusy flavor that complements fruity teas like hibiscus or herbal blend teas such as lemon verbena very well.
Manuka
Manuka honey is earthy and bitter, with a slightly astringent taste. It's not as sweet as some other types of honey, but it pairs well with bolder-tasting teas like pu-erh or oolong. Fun Fact: Manuka honey also has higher-than-usual antibacterial properties.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat honey is dark and rich, with a robust flavor that is a perfect match for oolong and black teas. It has a bold flavor that can stand up to the strong taste of these teas, making it a perfect pairing.
The honey's sweetness is also a nice contrast to the astringent taste of tea, making it a perfect way to enjoy your hot tea.
Wildflower
Wildflower honey is exactly what it sounds like—honey made from a variety of different flowers. The flavor of wildflower honey can vary depending on what flowers are in bloom, but it is typically light and floral, with a delicate sweetness that is perfect for Pairing with teas.
I like to pair it with a light, herbal tea like chamomile tea or lavender. The honey brings out the floral notes in the tea and adds a touch of sweetness that takes the edge off any potential bitterness of the tea.
Wildflower honey pairs well with white tea or green tea and is also delicious in iced tea or lemonade. The light sweetness is refreshing and pairs well with the flavors of summer.
Tupelo
Tupelo honey is often described as mild, with a buttery taste and floral notes. It is delicate, yet versatile, and pairs well with a wide range of teas.
For example, it can add a touch of sweetness to a light green tea, or provide a delicate counterpoint to a rich black tea. Whether you're looking for a subtle sweetness or something more robust, tupelo honey is a great option.
Avocado Honey
Avocado honey is rich and buttery, with a molasses-like taste that is both sweet and slightly savory. It pairs well with black tea, as the rich flavor of the honey complements the boldness of the tea.
For a more unusual pairing, try it with Earl Grey tea. The citrusy notes in the Earl Grey will highlight the sweetness of the honey, for a delightful cup of tea that is sure to please.
Honey Labels Explained
So you've finally decided on the FLAVOR of honey you think will pair perfectly with your favorite (insert favorite tea here), you head to the market, find your way to the tea aisle, and BAM! More decisions!
Now you're looking at a sea of honey labels and a list of terms for Google to pit against each other now propped up on a peanut butter display on aisle 7. Time is of the essence ;) so let's get into it!
#1) Pure Honey vs. Raw Honey
- Raw Honey is honey that has not been heated or processed in any way. This means that it retains all of its nutrients and enzymes, making it more nutritious than regular honey. It also has a higher level of antioxidants, which can help to boost your immune system.
- Pure Honey simply means that nothing has been added to it. However, commercially-produced honey is heated in order to improve its shelf life, consistency, and color. This process removes many of the beneficial enzymes and nutrients that are found in raw honey.
#2) Filtered Honey vs. Unfiltered Honey
- Filtered Honey, also known as "pasturized" honey, means that any tiny particles of pollen or wax and/or air bubbles are removed. This results in a smooth, consistent product that is less likely to crystallize.
- Unfiltered Honey still contains all of the pollen, enzymes, and nutrients that are found in raw honey. It may also contain small pieces of wax or air bubbles.
#3) Organic Honey vs. Non-Organic Honey
- Organic Honey, according to Maes Honey, is honey that "must be made with nectar from flowers that are free of pesticides and herbicides. In addition, no antibiotics or chemicals are used on the bees."
- Non-Organic Honey is honey that does not meet the criteria for organic honey. This means that it may be made with nectar from flowers that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides, and the bees and/or the honey may have been exposed to toxic chemicals.
Bottom Line: Ideally when shopping for raw honey, look for a product that is labeled "Organic", "raw", and "unpasteurized" or "unfiltered" in order to ensure you're getting the purest, most unprocessed form of honey possible.
Final Consideration: Glass Jar vs. Plastic Bottle
When presented the option, always choose honey in a glass jar vs a plastic bottle. I know, the plastic squeeze bottles are far more convenient but plastic leeches toxins and that's no bueno for your health, or the honey for that matter as it can oxidize it.
The Picking Process
If you're like me, you drink tea... and a LOT of it! But finding the best honey for tea can be a challenge worth accepting once you know just how much it can elevate the flavors your sippin' on.
There are so many brands on the market, and they all claim to be the best, so how can you know which one is really worth your money? That's where I come in...
I've done the research for you and read a TON of reviews on Amazon to compile a "best honey for tea" list. From raw and organic honey to Clover honey and every flavor and type in between, this list should help.
The Goods
The Best Honey For Tea
Full Disclosure: WholisticHealthJunkie.com is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, meaning that any links you click below may result in commissions at no extra cost to you. And now that THAT'S out of the way...Happy Scrolling! ;)
Clover Honey
BEEKEEPER'S NATURALS Sweet Clover Honey- Raw, 100% Pure GLASS Jar (1.1lbs)
Officially "Hooked"
"SWEET, LIGHT, BUTTERY DELICIOUS GOODNESS: My teenage son has taken a liking to honey and has become quite the honey tasting expert. We’ve been blessed that some gracious friends have shared their honey from their apiaries but we’re all going through it faster than I can keep it stocked so we’re in the market for the yummiest, light tasting honey out there.
Besides our friends who have shared their light honey with us, Beekeeper’s Natural 100% raw clover honey is the best tasting on the retail market so far!! It’s light, sweet and has an almost buttery taste to it.
I will note that quite a bit of the honey was crystallized which one of my boys LOVES so it’s perfect for us. There was so much of it that at first, I thought it included wax or callings but it’s all just crystallized honey. If you don’t like it, you can just warm your honey slightly and it’ll liquify more but we enjoy it like this. It’s like bits of crunchy candy." -Amazon Reviewer
Lavender Honey
Manoir des Abeilles Lavender Honey, RAW, 100% Pure, Unpasteurized, GLASS Jar (8.8 oz)
Officially "Hooked"
"A PARTY FOR MY TASTE BUDS: Understandably this is higher in cost than some would think. BUT, I swear that it is worth it. The quality of this honey is superb. My kids have even fell in love with its taste and they put it on toast, pancakes, tea...I can cook with it..I love it with fish, chicken, rice! It is limitless. You WILL notice a difference as soon as you taste it." -Amazon Reviewer
Orange Blossom Honey
Rigoni Di Asiago Mielbio Italian Raw and Creamy Honey, Orange Blossom, (10.58oz)
Officially "Hooked"
"EXQUISITE: I had never liked honey, but a taste of orange blossom honey a few months ago set me on a search for an organic version. After my first taste of this creamy smooth bit of heaven, I searched the label for added ingredients...it tasted like a high-end gourmet dessert sauce (tho better). Just honey, apparently. What else could I do with it? Well, I have always been completely opposed to adding anything to good strawberries (sugar, chocolate [ick!]) but I dribbled just the tiniest bit on a big ripe strawberry. It was so good. I have changed my eating habits to lose weight, focusing on very small amounts of good food, and this is going to be a great addition. Looking forward to my oatmeal in the morning!" -Amazon Reviewer
Manuka Honey
Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey- KFactor 16+, Unpasteurized, Genuine New Zealand Honey (8.8oz)
Officially "Hooked"
"IF YOU HAVE SEVER ECZEMA, BUY THIS: I was told about this product from my niece. She knew that my grandson had severeczema. I've tryed different cream and lotions. Even the ones designed for eczema. They would work for awhile, but then my grandson would break out again, it was an up and down battle.
When I recieved the manuka honey. I gave him a half tablespoon in the Morning and night. the difference wasn't immediate but after a week I noticed signs of his skin not looking so red. After two weeks the heavy flakey skin was almost gone, and he had almost normal skin tone know it's been a month and he looks and acts like a normal boy. Without itching all the time.
Hes been dealing with eczema his whole life. He's 6 and it makes me so happy to be able to see my grandson play and not itch. I bought this on the off chance that it would work. It works, it really works I would recommend manuka honey to anyone. I love this product i will be a life long buyer..." -Amazon Reviewer
Buckwheat Honey
ONEROOT Natural Raw Buckwheat Honey (17.6oz) | Higher in Antioxidants Than Manuka
Officially "Hooked"
"GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO COUGH SYRUPS:It is great for cold/cough/sore throat remedy. My son uses it primarily. He has been sniffling, had runny nose, and woke up coughing this morning. I gave him a teaspoon at breakfast (usual adds apple cider vinegar or lemon) and it did the trick. This was his 2nd dose since he started having symptoms. I was so worried that he will start wheezing as what usually happens when he starts having a cold. But now I can sleep bec he will be able to sleep better." -Amazon Reviewer
Wildflower Honey
BEEKEEPER'S NATURALS Wildflower Honey - Raw, 100% Pure, Wildcrafted, Unprocessed (1.1lbs)
Officially "Hooked"
"PURE, 100% NATURAL UNPROCESSED WILDFLOWER HONEY: This special wildflower honey was purely a delight, and a good value, as well. It is noteworthy for its purity, taste and health benefits. I have bad allergies as well as COPD (breathing problems), and this Canadian Beekeeper's honey will really do wonders in cleaning up your drainage, both in your head and in your body. And it tastes as good as any honey I have ever had. Five stars all the way!" -Amazon Reviewer
Officially "Hooked"
"BEST HONEY EVER: I had some of this for the first time when I was in South Carolina last summer. I've eaten a lot of honey in my day, but this one has such a unique flavor. I'm addicted to it now. I put it on my nonfat plain Greek yogurt and yogurt never tasted so good. Granted it's a bit pricey for honey but it's so worth it. I actually went to their store in Savannah Georgia and picked up some more. I've even given this honey as gifts to friends and they all love it. I won't be eating any other honey from now. Buy some!" -Amazon Reviewer
Let's Recap!
I hope you enjoyed reading about all things related to honey! And now that you know a little bit more about this delicious substance, I hope you feel confident enough to experiment with different types of flavored honey in your tea! Thanks for reading!
FAQ's
Is raw honey better for tea?
Raw honey is better for tea because it has more antioxidants than processed honey.
Is it ok to mix honey in hot tea?
Yes, it is generally safe to add honey to hot tea. However, it is important to note that heating honey can damage some of its beneficial properties, so you may want to avoid using honey in tea that will be microwaved or boiled until it's cooled down.
