Why You Should Never Add Honey to a Hot Drink
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.
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.
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.
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.
No, honey in hot drinks is not harmful to humans. However, it becomes “useless” because most of its nutrients are destroyed by the heat.
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 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.