Introduction
Many people are used to adding a spoonful of honey to hot tea, especially when they have a cold. Yet there are rumours that high temperatures can destroy honey’s beneficial properties and even make it harmful. Is that true? We examine how temperature affects honey’s composition and how to enjoy it with tea.
What happens to honey in hot tea?
1. Beneficial enzymes break down
Honey is rich in enzymes such as amylases, invertases and catalases, which have beneficial effects on the body. However, at temperatures above 40-45°C they start to break down, and honey loses its biological activity.
2. Vitamin levels decrease
Some vitamins, especially vitamin C and B vitamins, break down when heated. As a result, honey in hot tea becomes simply a sweet syrup without additional beneficial properties.
3. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) may form
When heated above 60°C, honey starts to form hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a substance that can be toxic in large doses.
💡 Important: Under normal conditions, honey contains very little HMF, but repeated heating or prolonged storage at high temperatures can increase its level.
How should you drink tea with honey?
✅ Add honey to warm tea below 40°C to preserve its beneficial properties.
✅ Eat honey separately alongside your tea to preserve as much of its benefit as possible safely.
✅ Use honey in herbal infusions, such as chamomile, mint or thyme.
✅ Stir it into a drink that has cooled slightly, waiting 5-10 minutes after brewing.
🚫 Not recommended: adding honey to boiling water immediately after brewing the tea.
Conclusion
Honey can be added to tea, but only at a temperature below 40°C, otherwise it will lose its benefits. To retain its valuable substances, eat honey separately or dissolve it in tea that has cooled slightly.
📢 How do you prefer honey: on its own alongside tea, or stirred into it? Share in the comments! 🐝🍯☕
