For thousands of years, people around the world have risked bee stings and hive swarms to enjoy even a few drops of sweet, golden honey. Not only is honey downright delicious, but it’s also a natural preservative with antibacterial properties.
Our ancestors knew to take advantage of honey’s benefits with a variety of recipes. One recipe that’s starting to regain popularity is called an “electuary” and it’s made by mixing honey with powdered herbs to make a sweet or savory paste that’s packed with beneficial botanicals.
Electuaries are easy to make, have a super long shelf life, and are a great way to sneak more healthful herbs, like turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, or lavender into your diet.
If you’re a fan of golden lattes or chai tea, then you’ll especially love the herbal electuary. You can premix the turmeric or chai spices with your honey, and then simply add a spoonful of the herbal paste to warm milk or water next time you’re craving your favorite drink. It really doesn’t get any simpler than that!
Health Benefits of Herbal Honeys
Honey contains natural sugars and should be eaten in moderation. However, when compared to other sweeteners, especially processed sugar, it contains a whole host of beneficial properties that give it a silver lining and make it a wonderful alternative.
Honey contains antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals and prebiotics that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It’s also antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial and has been shown to slow the growth of fungi, including Candida, ringworm and athlete’s foot. Honey also has a long history of being used to help heal wounds and burns naturally.
Because of its sweet flavor, honey helps mask less enjoyable flavors. For example, you probably wouldn’t sit down and eat a whole teaspoon of anti-inflammatory turmeric powder on its own. However, if it’s mixed with honey — and perhaps a dash of cinnamon — you’ll suddenly find yourself spreading the electuary on all sorts of treats!
Many of the herbs in our spice cabinets are bursting with health benefits, so finding quick and simple ways to add them to your diet, like mixing them with honey, is a major win.
How to Use Herbal Honeys aka “Electuaries”
In almost any capacity that you use honey, an herbal honey or electuary can be the substitute. Add herbal honey to your warm cereal, put it on breakfast toast and waffles, use it instead of jam, or bake it into a dessert. Your peanut butter and honey sandwich will never be the same.
Use it as syrup and put it in marinades, salad dressings or sauces for main dishes and mix it into tea. At our house, we even put honey on our popcorn! Whether you use it in your breakfast foods or to sweeten your craft cocktails, you are going to love the flavors that unfold when you fortify your honey with herbs.
Flavor Combinations to Try
Chai Honey
Ingredients
- 2 cups honey
- 3 tbsp powdered cinnamon
- 2 tbsp powdered coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp powdered clove
- 1 1/2 tsp powdered cardamom
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- 1 tsp powdered black pepper
Instructions
- Put honey into a sterilized glass jar.
- Stir the herbs into the honey and mix well.
- Cap the jar, label it, and store it in a cabinet for two weeks to further infuse before eating.
- Store unrefrigerated for up to one year.
Savory Cooking Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp powdered garlic
- 2 tbsp powdered rosemary
- 1 tbsp powdered thyme
- 1 tsp powdered sage
- 1 tsp powdered oregano
Instructions
- Put honey into a sterilized glass jar.
- Stir the herbs into the honey and mix well.
- Cap the jar, label it, and store it in a cabinet for two weeks to further infuse before eating.
- Store unrefrigerated for up to one year.
Popcorn Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tsp powdered garlic
- 1/2 tsp powdered ginger
- Dash of powdered cayenne
Instructions
- Put honey into a sterilized glass jar.
- Stir the herbs into the honey and mix well.
- Cap the jar, label it, and store it in a cabinet for two weeks to further infuse before eating.
- Store unrefrigerated for up to one year.
Morning Warmth Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp powdered cinnamon
- 2 tsp powdered ginger
- 1 tsp powdered fennel seed
- 1 tsp powdered astragalus root
- 1/4 tsp powdered cardamom
Instructions
- Put honey into a sterilized glass jar.
- Stir the herbs into the honey and mix well.
- Cap the jar, label it, and store it in a cabinet for two weeks to further infuse before eating.
- Store unrefrigerated for up to one year.
I would love to hear from you! What is your favorite herbal electuary or honey and how do you like to use it? Please share in the comments below!
Ready to seriously herbify your kitchen pantry? Check out My Herbal Kitchen
