Why Honey Is the Best Natural Sweetener for Your Tea

When it comes to sweetening your tea, there are a number of options available. It’s a shame that most of them aren’t very healthy. Whether it’s artificial sweeteners or plain sugar, you run the risk of adding too many chemicals, artificial flavors or calories to your otherwise healthy beverage. Thankfully, there is one sweetener that is healthy, flavorful and perfect for your afternoon tea: honey.

Benefits of Raw Honey

Raw, natural honey is packed with nutrients. A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that honey contains a certain type of prebiotic that feeds on gut flora. It also contains proteins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, polyphenols and aroma compounds. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, raw honey has antioxidants that offer heart, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor benefits.

In short, honey is not just another sweetener. It’s the best way to flavor your tea while choosing something that is natural and good for you. But, it’s important to choose the right type of honey, as not all are created equal.

How to Select the Purest Honey

Honey comes in many different colors (dark brown to light yellow), so color is not a sign of quality. The color is instead due to the type of floral source that was used to make the honey. But, there are a few ways that you can determine a quality honey product from a non-quality one.

• Spoon Test: Take some honey at room temperature and let it drip onto a flat surface. It should run in a continuous stream and form a blob on the surface.

• Crystallization: Good quality honey should not crystallize in the first few months from opening the container.

• Pollen: Better quality honey contains pollen, which makes the honey look less clear. If the honey appears crystal clear, it’s probably more processed.

• Processing: The best honey is minimally processed. This way, the honey keeps most of its antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.

• Water Content: Premium honeys have water content that is 18 percent or less. To determine how much water is in a jar of honey, turn it upside down. If it has bubbles rise to the top quickly, it probably has a lot of water in it.

Honey is Still Sugar

It is important to point out that once honey is in the body, it is broken down just like table sugar. Honey contains both glucose and fructose, and glucose is the sugar that can raise blood sugar levels. If you have blood sugar issues, you should use honey in moderation. Also look for honeys with lower glucose levels.

The next time you need a sweetener for your tea, reach for delicious, natural honey. Tin Roof Teas carries flavored honeys such as Blueberry Honey, Creamed Honey Chocolate Mint and Macadamia Nut Honey. The possibilities are endless!