Honey has long been used to sweeten foods and beverages, including tea and specialty coffee . In fact, many people prefer it as a healthier alternative to sugar or calorie-free sweeteners.
There are many ways to add honey to coffee, from adding it to cold brew to a double espresso. Today we'll show you one of the ways you can add this natural sweetener to your routine.
Ingredients (4 servings)
- Freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup milk (skim or whole)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preparation instructions
- Start by mixing the coffee, milk, honey, and cinnamon in a saucepan. You can add a pinch of nutmeg to taste.
- Heat the mixture and stir regularly. Do not let it boil.
- Once it's hot enough, remove it from the heat and then add the vanilla.
- Serve immediately while still warm.
Health benefits of honey in coffee
Many cultures have used honey for thousands of years, and not just to make their foods and drinks sweeter. Honey has long been known as an effective disinfectant and anti-inflammatory. Here are some of the benefits of adding honey to your cup of coffee :
Nutrients
Honey may have a much greater nutritional value than regular sugar. The use of sugar only adds calories, but honey has the added benefit of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and many others.Β
Alternative to sugar
Although honey is said to actually have more calories than sugar, you don't actually need to use that much honey to sweeten your cup of coffee . This is because honey is typically sweeter than sugar.
So, even though a teaspoon of honey contains 22 calories, you wouldn't need to use more than that teaspoon.
Antimicrobial
Many ancient cultures have applied honey to various wounds, burns, or ulcers, and it has been found to help them heal much faster than normal.
By adding honey to your coffee, you can also enjoy these benefits. Honey can also act as a natural cough suppressant.
Rich in antioxidants
Honey is also known for its richness in antioxidants, which protect the body from the effects of free radicals. This means a lower risk of developing certain cancers, a lower chance of developing Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, and even slows the aging process.
Anti-inflammatory
Honey's healing properties are not limited to its antimicrobial properties. It is also known to be an effective anti-inflammatory. This makes honey a useful substance not only for controlling chronic inflammation, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, but also helps prevent them in people at risk of developing them.
Anti-allergic
If the honey you've been using is locally sourced, it's likely to help with your allergies as well. It reduces the symptoms caused by pollen, or people stop experiencing them as frequently.
Adding honey to your coffee offers a healthier drink, providing a large amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the body, as long as you don't overdo it.
You also want to make sure you're using real honey and not fake honey diluted with sugar.