Honey In Tea: Flavor, Wellness, And How Much To Use

Updated: August 28, 2026

Honey pairs well with many Bigelow Tea blends, adding natural sweetness along with a nod to an old-fashioned wellness tradition. People have used honey for more than 8,000 years, and today more than 300 varieties exist, each with its own color and flavor. A standard serving of about 1 teaspoon per 8-ounce cup adds roughly 21 calories.

Key Takeaways

● Honey has been used by humans for more than 8,000 years, first documented in ancient Stone Age paintings.

● More than 300 types of honey exist, each with its own color, flavor, and aroma depending on the flowers bees draw nectar from.

● A typical serving is about 1 teaspoon of honey per 8-ounce cup of tea, which adds roughly 21 calories.

● Honey and granulated sugar have similar calorie counts, but honey is sweeter by volume, so many people use less of it for the same level of sweetness.

● Bigelow Tea offers four herbal teas made with the natural flavor of honey: Throat Defense Ginger Honey Lemon Herbal Tea, Chamomile Vanilla Honey Herbal Tea, Golden Turmeric Honey Plus Adaptogens Herbal Tea, and Ginger Honey Plus Zinc Herbal Tea.

Honey is a natural sweetener that has been used for thousands of years. It is not only delicious, but it is also part of a long history of nutritional and traditional use. When added to your favorite cup of Bigelow tea, honey can immediately sweeten what's in your cup while also offering additional wellness benefits. Let's take a deeper look.

How Long Has Honey Been Used?

Throughout history, honey has been used around the world. Dating over 8000 years ago, the first use of honey was documented in ancient Stone Age paintings. It has also been consumed by ancient Greeks and Romans for its medicinal properties and is often used throughout Asia as a preservative for baked goods. With its variety of uses, honey has withstood the test of time but also has many modern applications as well.

Honey Fact: Did you know that today, more than 300 types of honey have been identified? Based on the different types of nectar collected by the honeybees, the color of the honey can also vary. For example, tulip honey is a dark, mild tasting honey, while honey from the white flowers of the blueberry bush is light amber in color with a fuller taste. Wildflower honey, which is often grown near our headquarters in Fairfield, CT, can have a range of color, flavor and aroma based on the flowers blooming at the time the bees harvest their nectar.

How Has Honey Traditionally Been Used?

Honey has been used to heal a number of ailments since ancient times. Today, honey still holds a place in traditional home remedies and folk practices, including as a topical application. Honey has also long been a go-to home remedy when the weather turns and throats feel scratchy. Adding a spoonful of honey to a warm cup of Bigelow Tea Lemon Echinacea Plus Vitamin C Black Tea is a comforting way to enjoy tea when you're not feeling your best.

Prefer a tea that's already made with the natural flavor of honey? BENEFITS Throat Defense Ginger Honey Lemon Herbal Tea pairs with ginger and lemon for a caffeine-free cup, while Chamomile Vanilla Honey Herbal Tea pairs with chamomile for a sweet, caffeine-free evening cup. Two more herbal teas made with the natural flavor of honey are Golden Turmeric Honey Plus Adaptogens Herbal Tea and Ginger Honey Plus Zinc Herbal Tea.

A Look At Bigelow Teas With Honey

Why Do Bees Matter For Your Tea?

Let's also talk about the importance of supporting our favorite pollinators, the honeybee. Bees play a critical role in pollinating plants, which helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem. With U.S. honey bee colony facing significant losses, supporting the habitats and food sources they rely on is more important than ever.

According to the 2024–2025 US Beekeeping Survey, conducted by Auburn University and the Apiary Inspectors of America in partnership with Oregon State University, U.S. beekeepers lost an estimated 55.6% of managed honey bee colonies over the year. That is the highest annual loss rate since tracking began in 2010–2011. Those losses underscore the importance of creating and protecting healthy habitats for pollinators.

We are committed to supporting sustainable populations of wildlife by creating crucial corridors that connect parks and preserves. At Bigelow Tea, we are a proud supporter of the Fairfield Pollinator Pathway, which creates pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife. This pollinator support is part of Bigelow Tea's broader sustainability journey, which also includes B Corp certification recognizing the company's environmental and social performance.

Interested in helping the honeybee? Plant a small pollinator garden or create a bee house. By supporting a pollinator pathway, you are helping to ensure the health of our planet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tea And Honey

Does honey work in most types of tea?

Yes. Honey can be stirred into black, green, and most herbal teas. Many people add it once the tea has cooled slightly from boiling, since it stirs in more easily and the flavor comes through more clearly than in very hot water.

How much honey should I add to a cup of tea?

A standard serving is about 1 teaspoon (roughly 7 grams) per 8-ounce cup, which adds approximately 21 calories. Adjust up or down based on how sweet you like your tea and the strength of the blend.

How does honey compare to sugar in tea?

Honey and granulated sugar have similar calorie counts, but honey is sweeter by volume, so many people use slightly less to reach the same taste. Like sugar, honey is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Is the natural flavor of honey in these teas really natural?

Yes. Bigelow sources its natural flavors, including the natural flavor of honey, from natural sources rather than synthetic ones.

The materials referenced on this website, including those related to health information, are provided for informational and educational purposes only. Bigelow is not responsible for and does not endorse content contained in third-party studies or materials. 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. You should always consult your medical care provider with respect to any symptoms or medical condition.