While I strongly believe that if you use fresh beans and the right brew method (for you), then you shouldn’t need any add-ins in your coffee. But sometimes we want to try something sweet. Insert…Honey!
But you ask, can you put honey in coffee? Yes, you can!
Is it “better” than sugar for coffee, my opinion is yes, but you can see for yourself. I prefer it over sugar due to the benefits we go over in this post.
Why Try Honey In Your Coffee?
First, we want to make sure you steer clear of the grocery store honey. This honey has been filtered and pasteurized to help extend the shelf life, but this kills the beneficial nutrients in it.
Instead, look for raw, unfiltered or unpasteurized honey. You can find them at local markets, health food stores and in the health food section of certain grocery stores.
Honey Over Sugar
Although honey has around 22 calories per tablespoon and has natural sugar, it is still better than regular table sugar for a coffee sweetener because of all the health benefits I have listed in this article below.
Sugar is a carbohydrate that has 48 calories per tablespoon. So it can also be harder to digest than honey. This is why, when choosing between the two, honey is the “better” choice.
Honey contains fructose and glucose. Glucose is a basic sugar that can be burned as fuel easily. Fructose doesn’t burn as easily and is converted to fat. Your body can still use it, though. Table sugar has disaccharides which are more complex and harder to burn.
Both can be bad if you use it in excess, so stick to one tablespoon of honey per day in your morning joe.
*Also note: Honey will taste sweeter than table sugar so you can use less honey than sugar in your coffee! (It can also have a stronger flavor)
How Does It Taste?
Like I said before, if you choose the freshest, best quality beans your coffee will always taste good. But if you want a sweeter or different taste, you can try honey. We have listed all the types in the bottom of this post where we describe each ones flavor.
My favorite two for coffee are Acacia and Fireweed.
Honey’s Health Benefits
Raw honey has been an old folk remedy for years! In order to reap the full benefits, you will need to choose raw, unfiltered honey.
1. Antioxidants
Honey is a great antioxidant source that can protect your body from free radical cell damage. It has polyphenols (an antioxidant) that can prevent heart disease.
2. Antibacterial
Honey has hydrogen peroxide in it naturally so it can kill bacteria. This makes it a good antiseptic, but its effectiveness depends on the type.
3. Antifungal
The hydrogen peroxide also kills unwanted fungus!
4. Nutrients
Honey has vitamins and nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin C. It also has iron, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium chorine and sulphur. The vitamins in honey are B1-3, B5 & B6 as well as C. (*table sugar has none of these*)
5. Lower Blood Pressure
The antioxidant compounds in honey have been shown to lower blood pressure.
6. Improves Cholesterol
It can reduce your bad LDL cholesterol and raise your good HDL cholesterol. The bad kind (HDL) is the one that clogs arteries and leads to heart attacks.
7. Fights Seasonal Allergies
Consuming local honey has been thought to help your body fight seasonal allergies because it introduces the local allergen into your system like an allergy shot. It hasn’t been proven, but if you want to try this, you can use local wildflower honey.
8. Helps with the Cold and Flu
A spoonful of honey can soothe a sore throat. You can also pair it with hot tea and lemon (sometimes bourbon) to help with cold and flu symotoms.
It is a cough suppressant that has been shown to be as effective as most over-the-counter medications.
9. Diabetes
Honey can increase your blood sugar but not as much as sugar, making it a “better” choice. You should consume it with caution.
10. Digestion
It is a potent prebiotic so it will nourish the good bacteria in your intestines. It is also a good way to treat stomach ulcers.
Types of Honey
Honey is named after the type of flower it comes from. Its flavor, sweetness, and health benefits come from the flower it was sourced from.
*Shoutout to Diethive for the info!
1. Clover
Clover honey is floral and sweet with a sour aftertaste. It has strong antioxidant properties and more flavonols that support heart and lung function. It also contains phenolic acids which support the nervous system.
2. Buckwheat (not for coffee)
Buckwheat honey is strong and full-bodied. It is high in antioxidants and has been known to treat sore throats and coughs. It can lower cholesterol and is used in skincare.
3. Acacia (great in coffee)
Acacia honey is sweet and floral. While it’s high in fructose, it’s low in glucose so it’s a great choice for diabetics. It has flavonoids which are the antioxidants that fight heart disease and some cancers.
4. Manuka
This honey isn’t going to taste as good as the others but it is approved by the FDA to treat wounds. This honey has wonderful antibacterial properties. It can reduce inflammation and treat a sore throat.
5. Wildflower
Wildflower honey is fruity and light. It has antioxidant properties and can be used as a cough suppressant. If you buy it locally, it can fight seasonal allergies that are a result of the wildflowers found in your area.
6. Tupelo
Tupelo honey is one of the sweeter honeys but it’s also one of the most expensive. Since it is produced in the swamps of Florida and Georgia, it is harder to harvest.
It has a higher fructose content than most honey but has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties when consumed raw.
7. Orange Blossom
Orange blossom honey has a citrus taste. It can support the immune system with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This honey will help protect you from free radicals.
8. Sourwood
Sourwood honey has a sweet, buttery but slightly spicy flavor with a nice aftertaste that similar to caramel. It is a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory while also fighting seasonal allergies like wildflower honey.
9. Linden
Linden honey is light and delicate with hints of herbs in the way it smells. It is rare but can help treat colds or bronchitis and help relax you before bed.
10. Sage
Sage honey is a mild honey that is good to aid in digestion. It also has antioxidant abilities. This honey is sometimes mixed with other kinds of honey to help them not crystalize as fast.
11. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus honey is herbal and has a hint of menthol. It smells and tastes like eucalyptus but is used to help with inflammation and wound healing. It can also fight colds and the flu.
12. Avacado
Avacado honey has a rich buttery taste. It can be used as a skin moisturizer and has strong antibacterial properties. This honey has also been used to help people with anemia.
13. Blueberry
Blueberry honey has a light, tangy, blueberry taste. This is the honey I use for waffles! It has antibiotic properties and has been shown to treat chronic illnesses.
14. Dandelion
Dandelion honey is strong with a bit of tang but smells like flowers. It can boost the immune system but you won’t find it very much because the beekeepers usually leave it in the hive for bees to feed on.
15. Fireweed (great in coffee)
Fireweed honey is sweet and almost clear. It has antibacterial properties and is great to spread straight from the jar.
16. Heather
Heather honey has the highest amounts of phenolic acids which prevent cell damage. The taste is tangy, pungent, smoky, and mildly sweet that will leave a long aftertaste.
17. Macadamia Nut
Macadamia nut honey tastes very good. It is a soft, velvety sweet honey with notes of chocolate and a citrus tang, with a distinct nut flavor.
This honey is hard to find and expensive because it takes 7-8 years for the fruit to appear on trees.
It has a high level of healthy fats and strong antioxidant, anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
18. Palmetto
Palmetto honey is rare but very rich with a smokey, citrus, and caramel taste. This honey is great in tea, beer, or even mead. It has high antioxidant, anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Conclusion
Not all honey will taste the same and not everyone will enjoy the same kinds. Hopefully, after reading this, you will be able to find one to try. We also hope you know that honey is definitely a better choice than sugar!
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