Mad honey is not a sweetener of the ordinary kind. This is a rare nectar, unlike ordinary honey, which is gathered on the high cliffs of Nepal and Turkey, where the bees gather on the rhododendron flowers. The outcome is a honey that is deep reddish and has a touch of grayanotoxins, which are the components that make mad honey so powerful and even intoxicating. It has been used in local communities in traditional healing, energy and even as a natural mood enhancer.
Mad honey today is making its way into the modern kitchens- particularly in tea and coffee infusions where it does not only provide the sweetness but also a distinct experience. Now, let us explore the way mad honey is compatible with your favorite hot beverages.
Infusing Mad Honey in several ways
Mad Honey originating from the Himalaya can be infused into a wide range of beverages allowing for endless creativity. Here are some drink options to get you started:
Mad Honey Tea
Enhance your favorite tea whether it’s soothing chamomile or robust black tea with a drizzle of Hallucinogenic Honey. The sweetness and bitterness of Mad Honey can add complexity to your daily cup.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon mad honey (add more to your preference)
- 1 cup of hot water and a tea bag or a flavoring agent (not necessary to add taste)
Steps:
- Bring a cup of water to a boil but not boiling. As the water is heating, put 1-2 teaspoons of mad honey into a cup.
- After the water has been heated, pour it into the cup with the mad honey.
- Add a tea bag (black, jasmine, chamomile or flavoring tea of any kind)
- You can also add flavoring agents such as a slice of lemon or a cinnamon stick, if you want. This is not compulsory and may add flavor to the tea.
- Steep the tea between 3-5 minutes, or as long as you would like the tea to be strong.
- Eliminate tea bag or any flavoring agents, should there be any.
- Add the honey in the tea and stir until dissolved.
- Allow the tea to cool down after a minute or two to make it drinkable.
- Take your mad honey tea sparingly, and in small draughts to savor the slight, intoxicating influences which are produced by the grayanotoxins.
Benefits of Mad Honey Tea
- Antioxidant Tea: The tea itself (e.g., honey with Tea or coffee or herbal tea) is also an antioxidant that can help your immune system and your health in general.
- Caffeine Boost: When you want a caffeinated tea, you will receive a mild caffeine boost that will help in enhancing alertness and focus.
- Grayanotoxins: The grayanotoxins of mad honey can be used to give a relaxing and calming effect in addition to tea.
- Digestive Comfort: Tea and honey are reputed to have a digestive effect and help in calming down digestive problems.
Mad Honey and Coffee
Put a pinch of Mad Honey in your cup of coffee. The dark and nutty coffee aroma is a good match with the distinct Psychoactive Honey taste.
The natural caffeine boost from coffee, together with the mad honey effects, can heighten alertness, focus, and even provide a sense of euphoria when taken in moderation.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon mad honey (or to taste)
- 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee Cream or milk (optional)
- Sugar or sweetener (optional)
Steps:
- Make a cup of coffee in your preferred way.
- A coffee maker, French press, or any other brewing method that you prefer can be used.
- Ensure that the coffee is hot and freshly made.
- Once the coffee is hot, pour 1-2 teaspoons of mad honey in the cup.
- Add the amount of mad honey to your taste, but remember about the possible intoxicating effects.
- Add the mad honey to the coffee and stir it until it is completely dissolved. This may take a minute or so. You may also add cream or milk to your coffee to make it creamier and tastier.
- Til the volume to your preference. You may also add sugar or your favorite sweetener in case you like your coffee sweet.
- Once more, add the amount of sweetness to your preference. Give the mad honey coffee a minute or two to cool down so that it is comfortable to drink.
Benefits of coffee and honey drink
- Caffeine Alertness: Coffee contains caffeine that is famous to increase alertness and concentration.
- Mild Intoxication: Mad Honey grayanotoxins may provide a special touch of mild intoxication or relaxation to your coffee.
- Antioxidants: Coffee has antioxidants that may help to prevent the damage of your cells.
- Digestive Support: Honey may help to relax the stomach and alleviate digestion.
Infuse Fruits with Mad Honey
Add actual Mad Honey to beverages made of fruit, such as lemonade, iced tea or even a cool fruit punch. The complexity of the honey can be used to add to the natural sweetness of the fruits.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. mad honey of high quality.
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit (select between such options as berries, peaches or citrus slices)
- Optional: herbs or spices (e.g., several sprigs of rosemary, a stick of cinnamon)
- Steps:
- In case of fresh fruit, wash and cut it into small pieces. In case of frozen fruit, it does not have to be defrozen.
- Put the honey and fruit (and any additional herbs or spices, as desired) in a clean, dry glass jar.
- Ensure that the jar is large enough to accommodate the ingredients leaving some space at the top.
- Combine the honey and the fruit and stir them well. This can be done with a clean and dry spoon or a chopstick.
- Close the jar using a tight-fitting lid. Ensure that the lid is dry and clean to avoid spoilage. Keep the jar in a cool place with no direct sunlight.
- The mixture should be left to infuse at least a few days but preferably a week or more to get the flavors.
- Strain the honey after the infusion to get out the pieces of fruit and any herbs or spices. This can be done by straining the infused honey into a clean jar or bottle through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Now your honey with the fruit is ready. Use it to sweeten tea, drizzle it over yogurt or oatmeal or use it in recipes that require honey.
Benefits of Fruit-infused mad honey
- Hydration: Adding fruits and a little mad honey to infused water will keep you hydrated.
- Vitamins and Minerals: The fruits in the infusion bring in the much needed vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.
- Mild Intoxication: The grayanotoxins in mad honey can give one a slight feeling of relaxation as they drink the infusion.
- Detoxification: Honey and fruits will help in detoxifying the body.
Mad Honey Smoothies
To add a twist to your morning smoothie, add a touch of Mad Honey. It goes well with numerous fruits and yogurt.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon mad honey (or to taste)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup of plain Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 cup of almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 cup of frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) 1 tablespoon of chia seeds (optional) Ice cubes (optional)
- Sweetener (you can add some sweetness)
Steps:
- Begin with peeling and cutting the ripe banana.
- Add the sliced banana, Greek yogurt, almond milk and frozen mixed berries into a blender.
- You may also include some ice cubes in case you want a smoother colder smoothie.
- You can add chia seeds to the mixture in case you want to add some texture and nutrition.
- To make it sweet, you may drizzle more honey or a sweetener of your preference.
- Remember, mad honey is sweet, and therefore add or remove sweetness to your liking. It is time now to add the mad honey.
- Put 1-2 teaspoons mad honey in the blender. The quantity may be brought to your preferred taste of flavor and slight intoxication.
- Combine all ingredients until it becomes smooth and creamy. The sides of the blender may require scraping down.
- Taste the smoothie and add or remove the sweetness or honey as required. When your mad honey smoothie is ready pour it into a glass, garnish it with fresh berries or slice of a banana, if you want and serve.
Benefits of Mad Honey with Smoothies
- Energy Boost: Mad honey is a natural source of sugars, which can be used to get an immediate energy boost, so it is a good addition to smoothies to give it a boost.
- Antioxidants: Smoothies contain berries and other fruits that are good sources of health benefits of Mad Honey that can help prevent cells damage.
- Psychoactive Effects: Mad Honey grayanotoxins can be a slight euphoric or calming effect that will increase the overall smoothie experience.
- Digestive Aid: Honey has the potential of calming the digestive system and relieving digestive discomfort.
Conclusion
Mad honey in tea and coffee is not merely a matter of making your drink sweet, but on the one hand, it is an experience of tradition, health, and flavor. It is a soothing herbal tea or a strong espresso, but in any case, this honey is a precious rarity, and there is a magic ingredient that makes any drink unforgettable.
When you want to experience an infusion of nature, excitement, but in a small dose, begin with a small one and take the ride. And, after all, it is not a cup of tea or coffee that will be ordinary with mad honey-it will be extraordinary.
