Ways to Use Honey Beyond Sweetening Your Tea

A good honey deserves more than a spoon in your tea. Because Greek honeys range from delicate thyme to robust pine, they can drizzle, dress, glaze and bake. Here are simple ways to make the most of a jar of proper honey.

Why use honey as an ingredient?

Honey brings sweetness plus real flavour, floral, resinous or malty depending on the type. Used well, it lifts both sweet and savoury dishes in a way plain sugar never can.

Easy ways to use honey

1. Over Greek yoghurt with walnuts, a classic for good reason.
2. Over feta or a cheese board, where a robust pine honey shines.
3. In dressings, whisked with olive oil, lemon or vinegar and mustard.
4. As a marinade or glaze for roasted vegetables, halloumi or meat.
5. Stirred into porridge or granola for natural sweetness.
6. With fruit, drizzled over figs, oranges or berries.
7. In baking, in place of some of the sugar for flavour and moisture.

Choosing the right honey for the job

Match the honey to the dish: delicate floral honeys such as thyme are best drizzled raw where their aroma carries, while a robust pine honey holds its own in glazes and against strong cheeses. For the full range and how to pick one, see Greek honey types and how to choose.

A note on safety: honey should never be given to babies under 12 months, as it can carry spores linked to infant botulism. It is also still a sugar, so enjoy it as a treat rather than a health supplement.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use honey for besides tea?

Plenty. Drizzle it over Greek yoghurt with nuts, over feta or a cheese board, whisk it into dressings and marinades, brush it on as a glaze, stir it into porridge or granola, or pair it with fruit. A good honey is a proper ingredient, not just a sweetener.

Which honey is best for cooking?

A robust honey such as pine or a dark forest honey stands up to heat and strong flavours in glazes and marinades. Save delicate floral honeys such as thyme for drizzling raw over yoghurt, cheese or fruit, where their aroma can shine.

Does heating honey ruin it?

Cooking with honey reduces its delicate aromas and natural enzymes, though it still tastes good in bakes and glazes. To get the most from a fine raw honey, use it raw as a finishing drizzle rather than heating it.

Can you use honey instead of sugar in baking?

Yes, though it is sweeter and adds moisture, so use a little less and lower the oven temperature slightly. It also brings its own flavour, which is lovely in many bakes but will not be neutral like white sugar.