A simple, thoughtful guide to sweetening tea with honey
Honey and tea are like birds of a feather, they compliment one-another with a natural perfection and have been paired for centuries — not just for sweetness, but for comfort, ritual, and flavor. When used thoughtfully, honey enhances tea without overpowering it, adding warmth and depth to every cup.
This guide walks through how to use honey in tea, when to add it, and how to choose the best honey for different types of tea, whether you’re sipping for enjoyment, comfort, or daily ritual.
Why Honey Works So Well in Tea
Honey and tea complement each other naturally. Unlike refined sugar, honey brings its own flavor, aroma, and texture, which can highlight the character of a tea rather than mask it or overpower it.
Many people choose honey in tea because it:
- Dissolves smoothly in warm liquid
- Adds gentle sweetness without harshness
- Contributes floral, herbal, or spiced notes depending on the honey
- Feels more intentional and comforting as part of a daily routine
- Has natural health benefits
Because every honey is different, pairing the right honey with the right tea can completely change the experience.
Raw (Unfiltered) Honey vs Pasteurized Honey. You ALWAYS Want Raw Honey!
This is central for us honey lovers because we love honey for its taste and because, it is actually beneficial being more than just a sweetener. There are many reasons we choose Raw Unfiltered Honey over other sweeteners and especially over a pasteurized honey:
- Raw unfiltered honey is packed with beneficial enzymes, bacteria, minerals, antioxidants and traces of pollen and propolis
- The naturally occurring properties of raw unfiltered honey have been found to be beneficial to gut health and the immune system
- Honey in its natural state has a well rounded taste that adds beautiful flavor to tea which makes it more than just a sweetener but an important wholesome ingredient to a good cup of tea
We never heat our liquified honey over 110° while most of our honeys, including our naturally infused honeys and our virgin clover honey have never been heated above 95°, which is the natural temperature of a beehive.
About Pasteurized Honey:
A honey in a liquified state that is not raw has likely been pasteurized and run through a micron filter. Honey heated above 145° is considered pasteurized and many larger companies heat their honey higher than that. The reasons we don't recommend honeys that have been taken through the pasteurization process is:
- It kills the naturally occurring beneficial properties of natural honey.
- Honey that is pasteurized and run through a micron filter has been removed of the traces of pollen and propolis that add to the beneficial makeup of natural honey
- What is left is just sugars without the benefits available in raw honey
- It alters the taste removing much of what makes honey a complimentary sweetener
- Certain larger companies are also known to cut pasteurized honeys with other not so natural sweeteners like corn syrup and rice syrup
When to Add Honey to Tea (This Matters)
One of the most common questions is when to add honey to tea.
Whether you're using one of our infused honeys or plain honeys, for best flavor and to preserve the wellness properties of raw honey:
- Brew your tea fully
- Let it cool slightly
- Add the honey once the tea is warm, not boiling, when you can touch the tea with your finger without it burning (build up to this by feeling the outside of your mug first, no need to get a burn)
As well as damaging the beneficial properties of raw honey, very high heat can mute honey’s aroma and subtle flavor notes. Adding honey after steeping helps preserve what makes it special.
The Best Honey for Different Types of Tea
Choosing the best honey for tea depends on the tea’s flavor profile. Here are some simple pairing ideas.
Light Herbal Teas With:
Chamomile, lemon balm, mint, and other gentle herbs pair beautifully with:
- Our Clover floral honeys
- Our more herbal infused honeys such as Lavender, Rose, Butterfly Pea Flower & Ginger
These honeys enhance the tea without overwhelming it.
Darker Herbal Teas With:
Rooibos, Nettle, Tulsi and other richer denser herbs pair well with:
- Our Clover floral honeys
- Our spicier richer infused honeys such as Chai Spice, Candy Cap Mushroom, Turmeric Ginger, Cinnamon.
Black and Green Tea With:
Stronger teas can benefit from honeys with more character:
- Lighter varietals of plain honey such as our Virgin Clover Honey with its notes of sunshine, vanilla & honeycomb enrich a malty and robust black tea like an Assam or English Breakfast just as perfectly as it compliments a more complex and floral black tea such as our Darjeeling or Earl Grey.
- Spiced infused honeys can add an exciting lift and complexity to black teas such as our Smoked Hot Pepper Honey, Chai Spice and Holiday Spice.
- Our more floral infusions pair well with the Darjeeling, Earl Grey or our Sencha Green Tea. Lavender and Rose add a very flowery, astringent and uplifting character.
These pairings add richness and balance bringing the cup to a new level of taste and satisfaction.
Explore our full Honey Collection to find infused honeys and pure plain honeys that pair naturally with tea.
Browse our fair trade and organic Tea Blends Collection designed to complement honey.
Using Infused Honey in Tea
Infused honey adds another layer of flavor to tea. Herbs, flowers, and spices gently blended into honey can create unique pairings that feel intentional and soothing. We use real and organic herbs and spices, freshly grind them and naturally infuse them into our creamy virgin clover honey, keeping the honey raw while blending the flavors to perfection for a raw and creamy infused honey. We also add no flavoring, artificial ingredients or extracts, only whole ingredients so that you are getting the true tasting properties and benefits of each herb and spice used.
Infused honey works well when you want:
- A subtle herbal note without adding extra ingredients
- A more elevated tea ritual
- A naturally flavored sweetener
- Added benefits of particular herbs and spices
Because infused honey can be more expressive than plain honey, a little often goes a long way.
Honey vs Sugar in Tea
Many people switch from sugar to honey in tea because honey:
- Requires less to achieve sweetness
- Has a softer, rounder taste
- Adds flavor instead of just sweetness
- Has natural health benefits that make it more than just a sweetener
- Requires less processing than other sugars making it more environmentally sound
Honey also blends more naturally into tea rituals, making each cup feel less rushed and more considered.
Making Tea with Honey a Daily Ritual
For many, tea with honey isn’t just a drink — it’s a pause in the day.
Simple ways to make it a ritual:
- Choose a favorite mug and spoon
- Brew tea mindfully
- Add honey slowly and taste as you go
- Sit and enjoy without multitasking
These small moments of intention are often what people remember — and what keeps them coming back, finding balance in their days.
Tea and Honey as a Thoughtful Gift
Tea and honey are also a natural gifting pair. They’re practical, comforting, and easy to enjoy, making them a thoughtful option for many occasions. Infused honeys add a special, novel and intriguing twist to beloved honey, making them an extra thoughtful gift.
Explore our Honey & Tea Gift Sets for simple, meaningful gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey in Tea
Can you put honey in hot tea?
Yes. All our honey is raw to preserve its full taste and beneficial properties. To preserve all this goodness, it’s best to let the tea cool slightly before adding honey.
What is the best honey for tea?
The best honey for tea depends on the tea. Our virgin clover pairs well with all teas. Light herbal teas pair well with a ginger, turmeric ginger or floral infused honeys, while stronger teas work well with the bolder infused honeys like candy cap mushroom, smoked hot pepper or Chai Spice.
Is infused honey good in tea?
Yes. Infused honey adds subtle herbal or spiced notes and can enhance tea without needing extra ingredients.
How much honey should I add to tea?
Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. Honey is naturally sweeter than sugar, so you often need less.
Can honey replace sugar in tea?
Absolutely. Many people prefer honey because it adds flavor and blends smoothly into warm tea.
