Why You Should Never Add Honey to a Hot Drink: A Prominent Beekeeper’s Advice

Giorgio Poeta, one of Italy's most renowned beekeepers, explains why honey should never be added to boiling hot beverages. Honey is a superfood full of nutrients, but its worst enemy is heat.

Honey’s Worst Enemy: Heat

Honey is both rich and delicate. According to Poeta, temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F) can destroy the beneficial properties of honey, leading to a rapid loss of its nutrients.

What Happens Above 50 °C? (122 °F)

Poeta explains to cookist.it, that hot beverages above 50 °C (122 °F) significantly increase a honey quality indicator called Hmf, which reflects the freshness and conservation state of honey.

What is Hmf and Why Does It Matter?

Hmf is a dehydration product of fructose, used as an index of honey’s quality. High temperatures lead to enzymatic deterioration, causing honey to lose its unique flavor and health benefits.

Wait Before Adding Honey

To prevent deterioration, Poeta advises waiting a few minutes before adding honey to tea or herbal tea. This allows you to enjoy both the benefits of the drink and the sweetener.

Is Honey in Hot Drinks Harmful?

No, honey in hot drinks is not harmful to humans. However, it becomes “useless” because most of its nutrients are destroyed by the heat.

What Remains? Just Sweetness

When honey is added to a very hot drink, only its sweetening effect remains. This is similar to pasteurized honey, which is heated to high temperatures and loses all nutrients.

Pasteurized Honey from the Supermarket

Pasteurized honey is heated to about 78 °C to extend its shelf life. This process leaves only the sweetness, stripping away the health benefits of raw honey.

Patience Pays Off

Next time you enjoy a delicious herbal tea, wait a few minutes before adding honey. This ensures you retain its nutrients and rich flavor.

A Beekeeper’s Advice

Giorgio Poeta urges us to preserve honey’s unique properties by avoiding high temperatures. This way, you get the full benefits of this incredible natural product.

Do you add honey to your warm drink or do you wait?