Can honey be taken with tea? The complete guide

December 21, 2025 •

5 min read

Historically, ancient cultures have used honey with tea for centuries, recognizing its medicinal and soothing properties. This timeless practice continues today, raising a key question for many: can honey be taken with tea without losing its beneficial qualities? The answer lies in how you prepare your brew.

Quick Summary

Honey can be safely added to tea, though adding it to very hot water can degrade some of its beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. For maximum wellness benefits and optimal flavor, it is best to allow the tea to cool slightly before stirring in honey.

Key Points

Temperature is Crucial: Add honey only after the tea has cooled slightly (below 40°C/104°F) to preserve its beneficial compounds.
Retains Nutrients: Warming honey gently preserves its enzymes, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are often lost at high heat.
Soothes Sore Throats: The combination of warm tea and honey is a natural, effective remedy for coughs and throat irritation.
Natural Energy Boost: Honey provides natural sugars that offer a quicker, more sustained energy lift compared to refined sugar.
Enhanced Flavor Profile: The careful pairing of specific honey varieties with different teas can create a complex and delicious flavor profile.
Immune Support: Both tea and honey are rich in antioxidants, which work synergistically to help strengthen the immune system.

Can honey be taken with tea?

Yes, honey can be taken with tea, and it’s a popular and delicious combination. While honey is safe to consume in tea, the temperature of your beverage is the most crucial factor to consider. Adding honey to scalding hot or boiling water can diminish many of the natural health properties it is known for. For this reason, many health enthusiasts and tea connoisseurs recommend waiting for the tea to cool down to a warm, but not hot, temperature before adding honey. The simple act of waiting a few minutes can preserve the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins that make honey a more wholesome sweetener than refined sugar. The key is mindful preparation to get the best of both ingredients.

The many health benefits of adding honey to your tea

Beyond simply sweetening your brew, combining honey with tea offers a range of potential health advantages:

Strengthens the immune system

Both tea and honey are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. For example, green tea is packed with catechins, and honey contains flavonoids, which work synergistically to boost the immune system and support overall well-being. This makes honey-sweetened tea a comforting and protective beverage, especially during cold and flu season.

Soothes sore throats and coughs

The combination of warm tea and honey is a time-tested folk remedy for relieving sore throats and calming coughs. Honey acts as a natural cough suppressant, coating the throat and easing irritation. Its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can also help soothe inflamed tissues and fight off infection.

Aids digestion

Honey contains natural prebiotic properties that nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. When paired with herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile, honey can further enhance their ability to soothe stomach discomfort and reduce bloating.

Provides a natural energy boost

Unlike refined sugar, which can cause a sharp spike and crash in blood sugar, honey's natural sugars provide a more sustained and balanced energy boost. This makes it an ideal sweetener for a morning cup of tea to kick-start your metabolism or an afternoon beverage for a mild energy lift without the jitters.

The hot debate: Preserving honey's goodness

While the concept of adding honey to very hot tea is harmless from a toxicity standpoint, it's worth understanding the effects of heat on honey's composition. Traditional Ayurvedic practices suggest avoiding heated honey, claiming it can create toxins. Modern science provides a more nuanced view:

Degradation of enzymes and antioxidants: High temperatures, typically above 40°C (104°F), can degrade or destroy the delicate enzymes and antioxidants present in raw honey. These compounds are responsible for many of honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Formation of HMF: When heated for extended periods or at high temperatures, the natural sugars in honey can break down to form hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). While the levels of HMF formed in a typical cup of tea are not considered acutely toxic, some food safety standards monitor HMF levels in honey as a quality indicator. For health-conscious individuals, minimizing HMF intake by avoiding excessive heat is a simple practice.
Flavor alteration: Overheating honey can alter its flavor profile, sometimes giving it a slightly bitter taste. Allowing the tea to cool slightly ensures that the honey's natural, complex flavors shine through.

How to properly add honey to your tea

To maximize both the taste and health benefits of honey in your tea, follow this simple process:

Brew your tea as usual: Prepare your preferred type of tea, whether it's black, green, or herbal, by steeping it in hot water.
Let it cool slightly: After steeping, remove the tea bag or leaves and allow the liquid to cool for a few minutes. The ideal time is when the cup is warm to the touch but not too hot to hold comfortably. This ensures the temperature is below the threshold that would harm the honey's properties.
Stir in the honey: Add your desired amount of raw or unpasteurized honey. One teaspoon per cup is a good starting point, but you can adjust to your taste. Stir gently until it has fully dissolved.
Enjoy: Sip and savor the perfectly sweetened and beneficial beverage.

A comparison: Honey in warm vs. hot tea


Feature	Honey in Warm Tea (<40°C)	Honey in Hot Tea (>40°C)
Nutrient Preservation	High (enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins largely intact)	Low (beneficial compounds degraded)
Taste Profile	Enhanced, complex, and true to honey's natural flavor	May be slightly altered or bitter
Antimicrobial Power	Retained and effective	Reduced significantly
Soothes Sore Throat	Maximum benefit due to retained medicinal properties	Effective, but with reduced healing qualities
Potential Drawbacks	Minimal (beyond moderate sugar intake)	Nutrient loss, potential HMF formation (in prolonged, high heat)

The art of pairing honey with different teas

The floral source of honey can dramatically change its flavor profile and how it pairs with different types of tea. Experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun:

Green Tea: Pair the grassy, sometimes bitter, notes of green tea with a light, floral honey like clover or acacia for a balanced and delicate flavor.
Black Tea: For a robust black tea, a richer, more complex honey such as buckwheat or orange blossom complements its strong flavor profile.
Herbal Teas: The possibilities are endless. Pair chamomile with lavender honey for a calming evening drink, or combine peppermint with wildflower honey for a refreshing and digestive-friendly beverage. A classic choice for cold and flu symptoms is ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon.

Conclusion: The final drop of wisdom

So, can honey be taken with tea? The answer is a definitive yes, with the important caveat of minding the temperature. By simply allowing your tea to cool slightly before adding honey, you can enjoy a delicious and more nutritious beverage that harnesses the full potential of both ingredients. Whether you are seeking a soothing sore throat remedy or a natural sweetener to enhance your daily brew, mindful preparation is the key to unlocking the perfect synergy between honey and tea. For more insights on honey's properties, you can explore resources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, heating honey in tea does not make it toxic. Concerns about toxicity often stem from the formation of HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) at high temperatures. However, the levels produced in a typical cup of tea are low and not considered dangerous. The primary issue with high heat is the loss of honey's beneficial nutrients.

For optimal health benefits, you should add honey when the tea has cooled to below 40°C (104°F). A good rule of thumb is to wait until the tea is comfortably warm to the touch, not scalding hot, before stirring in your honey.

Yes, honey is generally considered a healthier alternative to refined sugar. While both contain calories and sugar, honey offers additional antioxidants, enzymes, and a lower glycemic index, meaning it doesn't cause blood sugar to spike as quickly. However, moderation is still key.

Yes, honey is an effective natural remedy for soothing a cough and sore throat. It works by coating the throat, reducing irritation, and providing antibacterial properties that can help fight off infection. Numerous studies, and endorsements from health organizations, support its use for this purpose.

Absolutely. Adding honey to iced tea is a great way to sweeten it naturally. To ensure it dissolves properly, you can first mix the honey with a small amount of warm water to create a simple syrup before adding it to the cool tea.

The best honey depends on your taste and the type of tea. Lighter teas pair well with light, floral honeys (clover, acacia), while robust black teas complement darker, richer honeys (buckwheat, orange blossom). Raw, unprocessed honey is recommended for maximum nutrient content.

Adding milk to tea with honey is a matter of personal preference and does not negatively impact the honey's properties. Some people add milk for creaminess, but it is not necessary. To prevent potential curdling, add milk after the tea has steeped and the honey has dissolved.