Like with any biological compound, high sustained heat can destroy the methylglyoxal that is associated with antibacterial activity in manuka honey. So you don't want to spoon it straight into a cup of boiling water. Nearly all enzymes are destroyed at 47℃ (116℉).
Heating up to 40°C (104 F) destroys invertase, an important enzyme. Heating up to 50°C (122 F) for more than 48 hrs. turns the honey into caramel (the most valuable honey sugars become analogous to sugar). Heating honey higher than 140 degrees F for more than 2 hours will cause rapid degradation.
Like all natural products, Manuka Honey is also sensitive to heat. When the temperature is high this can cause honey to become runnier.
Beneficial bacteria and harmful heat
Heating honey to high temperatures – generally above 45-50°C – eliminates these benefits by killing the bacteria, enzymes, and antioxidants that make honey so powerful.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that adding Mānuka Honey to a warm drink such as tea will affect the efficacy of the product.
Can you add manuka to hot drinks? The good news is that Manuka honey's active properties are retained even when heated. So yes, you can definitely put manuka honey in hot drinks! It's a great way to add sweetness and flavour to your favourite hot beverages.
"Ayurveda explains that warm honey is a slow poison that causes “ama” or toxicity in the body and its properties turn to that of a poison once inside the body. Ama is a condition where the mucous and toxicity of the body increases leading to many diseases," says Dr Radhamony.
In general, honey doesn't spoil. However, it can go bad if it's contaminated or incorrectly stored. If your honey has visible mold, or if it smells fermented or "off," then it's time to toss it.
The good news, for honey lovers who are also partial to a hot drink, a spoonful of Mānuka honey doesn't lose its special properties when stirred into water that's 95°C/203°F or lower (this is the temperature of freshly boiled water from the kettle).
The MGO rating number shows the amount of MGO in the honey, which is a sign of how active or strong these properties are3. There are other systems of measuring Manuka Honey strength, which can be confusing, but the general rule is that the bigger the number, the higher the strength.
Swirl into hot water or tea
If your throat is sore, one of the best ways to enjoy Manuka honey is to stir it into hot water or tea.
In a nutshell, well-stored Manuka Honey and most other honey never expires or spoils, even if its been previously opened. In fact, it's recognized as the only food that doesn't spoil.
Applying honey to the skin for 10 or 15 minutes is extremely beneficial, but leaving honey on the face overnight gives it more time to work its magic. It helps to balance all skin types by supporting the natural moisture barrier and it's a gentle and effective treatment for acne-prone, problematic skin.
Water Bath Options
The larger the bowl, the longer the water will retain its heat. Fill the bowl with hot water from the tap without submerging the honey jar. Allow the bowl and honey to sit for 10-15 minutes to warm up. After this amount of time, remove the honey jar from the bowl and open it.
Hot makes has more energy which makes the honey/sugar or any other solute molecules dissolve easily by increased movement and distance between the honey/sugars molecules. Also hot water has heat which creates huge spaces between water molecules so that honey molecules fit in them easily.
Having honey in tea or something like that is a great way to help bring the healing properties of the herb into your body. Because it is not direct high heat, the properties will remain. The temperature that honey would lose it's beneficial properties is: 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
Lemon and honey water is like a healthy elixir, a powerhouse of nutrients. Several studies claim that this drink helps in burning fat, clears acne and flushes out toxins from the body. Honey is a storehouse of antioxidants – flavonoids and phenolic compounds, essential vitamins and minerals.
As long as it is stored properly (out of direct sunlight, not exposed to direct heat and isn't frozen) it will last well beyond it's best before date. For health and safety purposes we recommend to consume your honey within three years of opening.
The MG levels increase over the ensuing months following harvest, making a honey that is more effective from a wellness and healing standpoint. We age our honey one to two years to achieve the highest potency. We are currently selling honey from our 2019 and 2020 harvest seasons.
A maximum of two teaspoons a day (15g) is a good portion size of manuka honey, as while it has many impressive health benefits, it is still high in sugar. If you are using manuka honey as part of a balanced diet, try drizzling it over porridge, overnight oats or natural yogurt.
It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night. It is safe to have 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of Manuka Honey daily, but always remember to moderate how much you consume.
Heating of honey is much discussed under quality deterioration, wherein certain enzymes and nutrients are lost.
Warm honey water keeps you hydrated, which reduces the symptoms of allergies if it is consumed at least three times a day.
The recommendation for a healthy person, without weight problems, and who does not base his diet on an excessive consumption of sugars would be to take a maximum of one small spoon of honey a day. This is approximately 10 to 12 grams of honey.