By Izzy Giacoppo

I always love a nice cup of tea, and something that I have always found to be a must in my cups of tea is honey. I usually like to stick with my go-to tea, so trying different honeys has been a great way for me to have some variations with my tea. My favorite way to find new honey is by visiting farmer stands that have all kinds of fresh honey. There is one honey, however, that I did not discover at a farmer’s stand: manuka. It is now one of my favorites because it can do so much more than add a little sweetness to my tea. 

But first, we can start with the taste. You already know it will taste good the instant the sweet smell reaches your nose just after opening the jar. It is powerful, but not overwhelming. The flavor is similar to this with its powerful sweetness. When you taste it, you realize it has a strong sweetness, but not too much. There is a slight bitterness that adds a nice balance. It may sound odd, but this combination of bitter and sweet makes it taste almost like coffee flavored ice cream. 

Now that you know how pleasant the flavor is, we can talk about how the greatness of manuka does not only come from its flavor. What makes manuka honey so special is its incredible health benefits. This is because of its antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Some of these qualities can be helpful for those with sore throats; for this, about two tablespoons should do. Manuka honey can also have skin benefits. Its anti-inflammatory properties and hydrating qualities can help treat skin conditions like acne. Another skin condition that manuka may help treat is dermatitis. It may also improve digestive health. The FDA has approved manuka honey to help treat minor wounds as well.

It is not always easy to find something healthy that also tastes good and can be enjoyed in many ways, but manuka is able to provide both health benefits and sweetness.