Can I Mix Honey With Hot Water?

Honey is a beloved natural sweetener known for its health benefits, including antibacterial properties and a range of vitamins and minerals. However, when adding honey to water, it’s crucial to keep the water temperature below 70°C (158°F). Here's why:

• Preserving Nutrients: High temperatures can degrade the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in honey, diminishing its nutritional value. It can also degrade the additional vitamins and nutrients we add into the Just Bee honey products
• Maintaining Antibacterial Properties: Honey's antibacterial properties can be compromised when exposed to excessive heat, reducing its effectiveness as a natural remedy.

Water is a fundamental part of our daily lives, and its temperature can significantly affect its uses, benefits, and importantly the nutritional value of the vitamins and botanicals we blend the honey with

. Let’s explore the key differences between boiling, hot, and warm water, and why it’s essential to be mindful of these distinctions, especially when adding ingredients like honey.

Boiling Water: 100°C (212°F)

Boiling water is water that has reached 100°C (212°F) at sea level. At this temperature, water turns into steam and is commonly used for cooking, sterilizing, and brewing certain types of tea. However, boiling water can be too harsh for more delicate ingredients, like honey, green tea leaves or certain vitamins and enzymes, which can be destroyed by excessive heat.

We recommend letting boiling water cool for 5 minutes before adding honey.

Boiling water is excellent for:

• Cooking food and making it safe to eat by killing bacteria and other pathogens.
• Sterilizing medical instruments or cleaning surfaces.
• Brewing robust teas, such as black tea, which release their full flavour at higher temperatures.

Hot Water: 50°C-95°C (122°F-203°F)

Hot water ranges from about 50°C to 95°C (122°F to 203°F). This temperature range is ideal for various applications where boiling water would be too extreme. Hot water is perfect for:

• Preparing herbal and green teas, which can become bitter if steeped in boiling water.
• Mixing with instant coffee or cocoa, ensuring a pleasant drinking temperature without scalding.
• Aiding in gentle cooking processes like poaching or blanching vegetables.

To get the most out of your honey when mixing it into hot water, make sure the water temperature is between 50°C and 70°C. This range helps preserve the vital nutrients in the honey, while maintaining its natural antibacterial properties. When you use Just Bee honey, you'll also retain all the benefits of the vitamins and botanicals we infuse into each jar, ensuring you get the full, nourishing experience.

Warm Water: 30°C-50°C (86°F-122°F)

Warm water sits comfortably between 30°C and 50°C (86°F to 122°F). This temperature is often used for:

• Activating yeast in baking, as it’s warm enough to encourage yeast growth but not so hot that it kills the yeast.
• Taking baths or showers, as it’s soothing to the skin and muscles.
• Drinking for hydration, as it’s less shocking to the body than cold water, especially in the morning.

In summary, understanding the differences between boiling, hot, and warm water can help you optimize their uses in cooking, drinking, and other applications. Remembering the specific needs of ingredients like honey ensures that you retain their health benefits and enjoy their full potential. Whether you’re brewing tea, preparing a meal, or simply staying hydrated, the right water temperature makes all the difference.