A jar of functional honey is one of the most versatile things in your kitchen. You can eat it straight from the spoon, but it's also easy to build into meals and drinks you already make. Here are twelve ideas to get you started.
1. Stir it into coffee
The classic. Let your coffee cool for a minute after brewing, then stir in a spoonful. For iced coffee, dissolve the honey in a shot of hot espresso first, then pour over ice.
2. Make a latte
Whisk honey into espresso, then add steamed or cold milk. A pinch of cinnamon makes it café-worthy.
3. Sweeten your oatmeal
Swirl it into warm oatmeal with banana slices, walnuts and a sprinkle of salt.
4. Top yogurt
Greek yogurt, berries, granola and a drizzle of honey make a fast, high-protein breakfast.
5. Blend it into a smoothie
Add a spoonful to a smoothie with banana, frozen berries, milk and nut butter. It sweetens and helps balance any tart fruit.
6. Spread it on toast
Try sourdough with almond butter and honey, or ricotta and honey with a pinch of flaky salt.
7. Drizzle over fruit
Sliced apples, pears or strawberries with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon make a simple dessert.
8. Upgrade your tea
Black tea, rooibos and chai pair especially well with chocolatey honey.
9. Make overnight oats
Mix oats, milk, chia seeds and honey in a jar, refrigerate overnight, and breakfast is ready.
10. Whisk it into a dressing
Combine honey with olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and salt for a quick honey-mustard vinaigrette. A chocolate-vanilla honey works surprisingly well with balsamic over salads with berries or goat cheese.
11. Pair it with peanut butter
Rice cakes with peanut butter and a drizzle of honey make a great pre-workout snack.
12. Make energy bites
Mix 1 cup oats, ½ cup nut butter, ⅓ cup honey, and a handful of dark chocolate chips. Roll into balls and chill. They keep in the fridge for about a week.
Tips for cooking with honey
- Measure with an oiled spoon. Honey slides right off.
- Keep heat moderate. Very high heat can degrade some delicate compounds and flavors. Add honey near the end of cooking where possible.
- Bake with care. Honey browns faster than sugar. If substituting it in baking, lower the oven temperature by about 25°F.
- Store at room temperature. Refrigeration speeds crystallization.
What if it crystallizes?
Crystallization is natural and doesn't mean the honey has gone bad. Place the jar in warm water and stir gently until smooth again.
Make it a habit
The easiest way to use a jar consistently is to give it a permanent spot. Keep it next to the coffee maker or the kettle so it becomes part of your morning automatically. Use a dedicated honey dipper or spoon to keep the jar clean, since water or crumbs introduced into honey can affect its quality over time. If you're on the go during the week, keep the jar at home for weekends and slow mornings, and stash single-serve packets in your bag for busy days.
Our 8oz jar
HYVE Mind Focus & Memory comes in 14g single-serve packets and an 8oz jar for home. Both are made with 100% raw, USDA Organic honey, with every barrel third-party tested for pesticide residue, blended with organic lion's mane extract (20:1, dual-sourced from 100% fruiting body), L-theanine, organic raw cacao, organic bee pollen and organic vanilla.
Each 14g packet delivers 222mg of lion's mane extract and 80mg of L-theanine, with 45 calories, zero caffeine and a vanilla-chocolate flavor that works in nearly every idea above.
Use WELCOME20 for 20% off your first order.
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. Not for infants under 12 months or anyone with bee or bee-product allergies.
