Honey In Coffee – Hell Yes Or Hell No! Find Out Here!

It is undeniable that coffee is the most popular drink in the world as coffee, and it was really only a matter of time before someone had the bright idea of putting honey in coffee.

If you have not tried honey coffee, or honey processed coffee, I suggest that you try it. Adding this natural sweetener can bring with it a number of well documented health benefits and, above all, a very interesting and fun coffee taste and texture.

Keep reading as I talk about the very subject of honey in coffee.

Honey In Coffee Vs Sugar

If you have an interest in health or background in nutrition, you will be fully aware of the nutrients in honey and the health benefits when compared to white sugar.

Let’s talk about those for a moment.

Honey In Coffee Benefits For Your Health

It is very rare that something so sweet has so many nutrients and beneficial properties for your body. Mother nature and her honeybees are definitely looking out for you and your health.

Honey contains Vitamins B6 and B9 as well as Vitamins A and C. It is also a source of calcium, magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus and zinc.

In addition to the nutrients, honey is loaded with antioxidants and has antibiotic properties. It is also made up of natural simple sugars that are healthier for your body and easier for it to breakdown and does not give you a mid-morning energy crash.

Read: Can you add honey to coffee?

Honey Vs Sugar Calories

Honey has more calories than sugar and that is an undeniable fact.

But,

it is not a true representation of the whole picture. A teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories, a teaspoon of honey has 24 calories.

While that is 50% more, what this “story” is missing is that honey is twice as sweet as refined sugar and only half as much is needed to sweeten your cup of coffee, and thus you would only have half a teaspoon and 12 calories – 4 less than sugar.

Also,

the type of sugar in honey is very different from the type of sugar in processed white sugar. Honey is made from simple sugars that are easier for your body to breakdown while processed refined sugar is made up of complex sugars. 

The Flavor Fashion

There are only two types of honey that you can buy: raw honey and regular honey.

Regular honey is the type of honey that you will find in almost every store across the world. This type has been pasteurized to kill the yeast cells, which may have the unfortunate effect of causing your honey to ferment.

Pasteurized honey has the advantage of staying in a liquid format longer, which makes it easier to dissolve into your coffee.

The other type, raw honey, is more natural and unpasteurized and comes direct from the bee hive – if you have never tried raw natural honey, let me tell you that it is notably more delicious.

Raw honey is also higher in nutrients and antioxidants and being unprocessed is healthier. If it is processed sugar that you want to avoid for any reason, then raw honey is the better option.

The flavor of honey also varies depending on the type of honey and what flowers the bees used to make the honey.

Common types of honey include Clover, which is the most popular in America, Buckwheat, Acacia, Alfalfa, Fireweed, Blackberry and Wildflower – the most popular type of honey in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Buckwheat and Fireweed have a much stronger flavor with spicy notes and are better on toast or pancakes than in your coffee but may go well with a lighter coffee like a robusta.

Clover and Acacia are clean. light and are an excellent option to be paired with your favorite coffee.

Wildflower, Blackberry and Alfalfa have spicy notes with hints of fruit and are more flavorful.

Be mindful of adding honey to dark roasted coffee and highly acidic coffee as the flavor may not come through as well as you expect.

Is Honey In Coffee Bad For You?

No, quite the opposite – honey, be it raw honey, regular honey or a fancy exotic honey like acacia honey is a natural sweetener that is packed with nutrients and many other healthy compounds and despite there only being a small amount added to your cup of coffee it is unlikely to provide any great health benefits.

But,

it is better than sugar that offers no benefit at all, no nutrients, no antioxidants, no antimicrobial properties – just, literally dead calories. Plus, honey in coffee will lead to healthier blood sugar levels, which is why I use it in my morning coffee.

Be careful not to put honey directly into hot coffee. Temperatures in excess of 104F (40C) may have the unfortunate effect of denaturing the nutrients. Let your hot coffee cool down until it is at a drinkable temperature and then add it.

If you are a coffee lover and health nut like I am, you can check the temperature first by using a digital thermometer and then add your honey when the temperature is right

Honey In Coffee For Sore Throat

Honey, especially Manuka honey, is great as a natural cough suppressant and aids a sore throat due to its antimicrobial properties.

These properties help in fighting off and preventing viruses and bacteria – this is why it makes its way into many brands of cough syrup and various remedies for sore throats.

Simply drink a coffee and honey mixture every 8 hours for a week. Studies exist indicating that both coffee and honey could have properties that help with sore throats, which makes it a better choice than honey and tea when you have a sore throat.

How Much Honey Do You Put In Coffee For A Sore Throat?

For the purpose of treating a sore throat, mix 3/4 of a cup of honey with half a cup of coffee until a thick paste forms. Any coffee is fine, even instant coffee.

Put this paste and measure 1 tablespoon of it and mix it with 7 ounces of warm water and drink while it is still warm. Take this mixture every 8 hours for a whole week.

Is It Bad To Put Honey In Hot Drinks?

It is not a good idea at all to add honey to any hot drink, be it coffee, tea, milk or even hot water that has a temperature of 140F (60C) as it is said to turn toxic at this temperature or higher.

Studies indicate that heating anything that contains natural sugars has the potential of releasing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural which is thought to be a carcinogenic.

Also,

If you add honey to any liquid or heat it to above 104F (40C), you will potentially destroy some nutrients in honey and get less of a benefit from adding honey to your coffee instead of sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey In Coffee

Is It Healthy To Drink Coffee With Honey?

Yes, and I’ll add it is very healthy to drink coffee with honey. Honey helps to boost your metabolism and is loaded with antioxidants, nutrients and is healthier than table sugar and may even help you with weight loss. There is more to love than the simple flavor boost.

Is It Better To Put Honey Or Sugar In Coffee?

It is much better to put honey in your coffee than refined sugar. White sugar offers nothing other than empty calories and has no real nutritional value when both raw honey and pasteurized honey are rich in antibacterial agents, antioxidants and nutrients and while it does have more calories, it is sweeter, and you need to use less of it. Honey contains both fructose and glucose.

Can You Put Honey In Coffee With Milk?

Yes, it is perfectly okay to put honey in coffee with milk. Be careful of adding it to hot coffee or hot milk as you may denature the nutrients that are in honey and end up not getting any of the benefits from them. Honey with milk and coffee is rather tasty when well-made.

What Can I Put In My Coffee To Lose Weight?

Honey, milk, cinnamon and lemon juice are all items that you can add to coffee to help you with weight loss. Milk, especially whole milk with raw honey and cinnamon, is especially delicious, full of amazing health benefits way beyond losing weight.

Is Honey Good In My Coffee?

Yes, when you want to add some sweetness without using processed or refined sugar, honey in coffee is a great option. Sure, it still adds to your sugar intake, but the sugar in honey is as simple sugar and not a complex sugar.

Is It Safe To Sweeten Coffee With Honey?

Yes, honey is a healthy coffee sweetener that contains basic sugars which are easy to digest and adds many health benefits such as the antibacterial properties, and the powerful antioxidants and nutrients that it contains. 

Can You Put Hot Honey In Coffee?

It is not advised to add hot honey in coffee or to heat your honey at all as heat has a negative effect on many of the giving properties of honey. 

Let your drink cool down for a minute before adding honey to it. 

What Is The Effect Of Coffee And Honey?

Honey is good for your metabolism and has powerful antioxidants that are great for your heart health. It also has antibacterial properties, meaning it is a healthier alternative to sugar which has no nutritional or health benefits. You’ll also enjoy the taste of honey in your coffee!

Final Thoughts – Honey In Coffee

Whoever came up with the idea of honey in coffee, something that dates back to the ancient Egyptian times, was a genius. It’s tasty, fantastic and incredibly healthy.

If you have never tried it -I advise it, a great idea and a good way to start your day with a burst of nutrients, antioxidants and antimicrobials and healthy non-crash sugars.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location