Adding honey to your tea can be a great way to add flavor while also giving you many health benefits.
Adding honey makes your tea a more delicious drink.
Raw honey is a natural sweetener from the earth that can do many things for the human body that are positive and helpful.
It’s also a natural energy booster packed with amino acids, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds.
Honey as a Natural Sweetener
Honey is a natural sweetener from the earth that is used in many products instead of sugar for a healthier and more beneficial product.
Natural sugars found in honey can help balance blood sugar levels better than refined sugar and can be a smart alternative for those monitoring their sugar content.
Healing and Nutritional Benefits of Honey
Honey is also a natural remedy for curing things on the human body. It has many nutritional benefits to it. The benefits of honey are it can clear a sore throat, it has antibacterial properties, improves digestive health, can relieve a cough and give you a healthy gut.
Added benefits include supporting oral health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including reduced risk of heart disease and improved cholesterol levels.
What Is Honey and How Is It Made?
You might be asking what honey is? Well you’re in the right place to find out. Honey is a sugary substance made from bees, by gathering then refining the sugary plants they eat off of. The result is a golden, sticky liquid that has a unique flavor depending on the type of flowers the bees pollinate.
Raw vs. Filtered Honey
After the honey has been made by the bees it is gathered by humans. The pasteurization process of honey is filtered or sifted and then placed in a container. There is also a raw form of honey that is not cleaned and comes straight from the bees. People say raw honey has more health benefits. Local honey in particular is praised for its allergy-fighting properties.
Types of Honey and Their Uses
There are many varieties of honey. The type of honey you choose—whether it’s mild honey like clover or something richer like Manuka—can impact not just taste, but also its medicinal benefits. Sparko Sweets honey lollipops are one example of how honey is being creatively used in modern products.
The Basics of Tea
Now I am going to be talking about tea. Tea is the process of pouring boiling hot water over tea leaves from the camellia sinensis. Just like honey, tea also has a nutritional value to the human body.
Although tea does not have that sweet taste most people aim for in a drink, it still gets a crowd. The benefits of tea are heart health, fights inflammation and type two diabetes and it can help with weight loss due to its very low calorie value.
Types and Forms of Tea
There are over 300 different types of teas. Tea can also come in many different ways such as iced tea, chai tea, hot tea and many more.
Herbal tea or Earl Grey tea are very popular teas made from dried fruits, flowers, and spices. Jasmine teas, chamomile tea, and rooibos tea are great examples of mild teas that pair well with honey.
Loose-leaf teas and green tea bags are widely available. Lemon tea with honey is a popular home remedy during flu season.
Tea and honey can always be found in your grocery store. And don’t forget—filtered water is essential for the best-tasting tea.
How to Make Tea with Honey
Now here’s how to make tea and add honey to it in the most efficient and best way.
First, choose the tea you’re going to make—whether it’s black, green, white tea, oolong tea, or any other variety you prefer. Today I’m going to show you how to make and add honey to hot tea.
After you’ve picked out your tea, we are going to boil our warm water or cold water on the stove. Brew it until the water reaches high temperatures (about 190 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the type of tea), then remove it from the stove. Adding honey to the boiling water on the stove can destroy some of its beneficial properties, which is why we have not added it yet.
Pour your water into your cup then put your tea bag inside the water. Select the honey you would like to use—there are many different types of honey whether it’s raw, filtered, clover honey, wildflower, or Manuka honey. All will taste great in your tea, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
Here’s the part where you add the honey to your tea. Start small by adding a teaspoon of honey. See if you like it, and if you need more, you can move up to a tablespoon of honey.
A good rule of thumb: too much honey can overpower the delicate flavor of your tea. Stir thoroughly until well combined or to your liking. You can even add a dash of cinnamon or a splash of lemon juice for a bit of spice and extra flavor.
The last step is to enjoy the cup of tea you have just made yourself. Think about the various health benefits it has on your immune system, gut, sore throat, mind, and overall excellent health.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q: Can I use agave nectar in my tea instead of honey?
A: Yes, agave nectar is a good alternative for honey in drinks, especially for those following a strict plant-based foods diet.
Q: Is honey vegan?
A: Honey is technically not vegan since it comes from bees, but some vegans include it in their diet.
Q: How does honey help a scratchy throat?
A: Honey helps a scratchy throat because it has many antioxidants and antibacterial properties that help to soothe your throat. Some types of honey even include bee propolis, which adds additional relief.
Q: Should I add honey to my tea when it’s hot or cold?
A: It’s best to add honey to your tea when it’s hot. The heat helps dissolve the honey more easily than it would in iced tea. However, don’t add it to boiling water—wait a moment so you preserve the added benefits.
Q: Can I add honey to any type of tea?
A: Yes, honey can be added to any type of tea as a great way to sweeten it. Whether the tea is black, green, herbal or any other variety, it will all taste good.
Q: How much honey should I add to tea?
A: That depends on your taste and the type of tea, but starting with a teaspoon is best. You can always add more, but too much honey might mask the unique flavor of mild teas.
Q: What’s the best tea to try honey in for the first time?
A: A cup of black tea is a classic starting point. It has a strong enough flavor to balance the sweetness of the honey.
Q: How old should a child be before they try honey in tea?
A: According to the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, honey should not be given to children under one year of age. After that, it can be a great addition during flu season.
