Herbal Tea and Honey: How to Pair Them and Brew a Better Cup
Herbal tea and honey belong together. In Lithuania, where Nettie grew up, a cup of linden tea with honey is the classic cure for a winter evening. Here on the South Coast, it’s just as welcome on a raw November night. Nettie blended our herbal teas to go with our honey, and a little attention to pairing makes both taste better.
Quick answer: Match the honey to the tea’s strength: light, mild honeys like clover or blueberry suit delicate teas such as chamomile and lemon balm, while bold honeys like buckwheat or knotweed stand up to ginger, rooibos and spiced blends. Steep the tea first, let it cool for a few minutes, then stir in about a teaspoon of honey. Very hot water won’t make honey unsafe, but it breaks down raw honey’s enzymes and delicate aromas.
Which honey goes with which herbal tea?
| Tea | Honey to try | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Chamomile | Clover, blueberry or a light wildflower | Mild honey lets the apple-like chamomile shine |
| Lemon balm, lemon verbena | Light wildflower or lavender-infused honey | Floral meets citrus |
| Peppermint or spearmint | Clover or summer wildflower | Clean sweetness balances the menthol |
| Hibiscus or rose hip | Cranberry or wildflower | Fruity, tart teas like a fruity honey |
| Ginger | Buckwheat or knotweed | Bold honey stands up to the heat |
| Rooibos or honeybush | Knotweed or a dark wildflower | Malty notes on both sides |
| Linden (lime flower) | Any light honey | The classic Eastern European pairing |
| Thyme or sage | Thyme-infused or wildflower honey | Herbal on herbal, good for a scratchy throat |
When should you add honey to tea?
After the tea has steeped and cooled a little. Boiling water won’t make honey harmful, but raw honey’s enzymes and its most delicate aromas start breaking down quickly at high temperatures. Waiting three to five minutes, until you can sip the tea comfortably, keeps more of what makes raw honey special. Read more in does heat destroy honey.
A teaspoon is plenty for most cups; it adds about 21 calories.
How do you brew herbal tea well?
- Use freshly boiled water. Most herbal teas, unlike green tea, want water at or near boiling.
- Cover the cup or pot while it steeps. The aromatic oils in herbs like mint and chamomile escape with the steam.
- Steep longer than black tea: usually 5 to 10 minutes, longer for roots and berries.
- Strain, cool slightly, then add honey.
What are Nettie’s herbal tea blends?
Nettie created three caffeine-free blends of organically grown herbs and flowers, each made to pair with our honey:
- Cup of Strength: a blend Nettie makes for the cold-weather months, traditionally to support the immune system.
- Cup of Healing: a blend for days when you’re under the weather with cold or flu symptoms.
- Cup of Peace: a relaxing nighttime tea, with herbs traditionally used for their calming properties.
For Cup of Peace, try a light honey like clover or blueberry. For Cup of Strength and Cup of Healing, a darker honey like buckwheat or knotweed holds its own. If you’d like a blend made for your own needs, ask about an herbal consultation.
Is honey in tea good for a sore throat?
Yes. Honey is one of the better-studied home remedies for cough and sore throat; it coats the throat and has been shown to ease coughs in children over 1 year old. Warm tea with honey is a comforting way to take it. See raw honey for colds and sore throats.
Frequently asked questions
How much honey should I put in tea?
About a teaspoon per cup is a good start. Taste, then add more if you like. Strong-flavored honeys need less.
Does honey dissolve in iced tea?
Slowly. Stir honey into the tea while it’s still warm, then chill it, or make a quick honey syrup by mixing equal parts honey and warm water.
Is herbal tea with honey good before bed?
For many people, a warm, caffeine-free cup is part of a good bedtime routine. See honey and sleep for what research says.
Can I use crystallized honey in tea?
Yes. It dissolves in warm tea just fine. See crystallized honey.
Are your herbal teas caffeine-free?
Yes. All three blends are made from herbs and flowers, with no tea leaves, so there’s no caffeine.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Put the kettle on, pick a honey, and give your tea a few minutes to cool. It’s one of the simplest pleasures we know.
