9 Best Healthy Honeys in 2022 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)
Honey is a fantastic natural sweetener for your tea, baking, and more; and it's full of healthful benefits if you know what to look for. We’ve put together this guide to help you figure out what makes a great healthy honey. In our research, we found that the best honeys are raw and unfiltered, contain nothing but pure honey, and are preferably organic. We also learned that honeys from different flowers or a variety of flowers can have different qualities, which might affect your choice.
Keeping these things in mind, we handpicked a list of our 9 favorite healthy honeys available online. Our favorite was Y.S. Organic Bee Farms' 100% Organic Raw Honey because it has some rare and enticing sources, and it tastes great! Read on for nine other great options and our buying guide, prepared with help from nutritionist Kara Swanson.
Quick List - Top Healthy Honey
Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and the founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Why You Can Trust Us
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
How to Choose Healthy Honey
Raw, Unfiltered Honey Has the Most Benefits
However, in order to get the most benefit from honey, it should be raw and unfiltered. Heat treating can reduce honey’s health benefits, and filtering it removes healthful pollen bits. Raw, unfiltered honey is often thick and crystalline at room temperature. It should have the consistency of peanut butter and be quite opaque.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a slightly better sugar alternative, heat-treated, filtered honey is less likely to have bacteria that may be harmful for young children.
Finding a raw, unfiltered honey is where you are going to get the most bang for your buck! It's going to have more health benefits, too. Raw honey is super thick so it might be harder to bake or make energy bites with but it's great as a spread on your peanut butter sandwich or in your tea.
Honeys Made from Different Flowers Have Different Flavors and Benefits
This honey comes from the flowers of the manuka bush and has bioactive properties said to alleviate upper respiratory issues, ease digestive ailments, and boost the immune system. Several studies have shown it to quite effective in killing bacteria and healing skin wounds. However, manuka honey can be pretty expensive.
Other types of honey, while not shown to have quite the same benefit-boosting qualities of manuka, do have differing flavors that may make you like one type better than another. Some common varieties include acacia for a classic “honey” flavor, orange blossom that's mild and citrus-scented, lightly minty eucalyptus, and sweet and floral clover.
When you dive into the world of honey, you will see just many different varieties of honey there are. Get adventurous and try different ones. Manuka is by far the healthiest honey and will give you lots of healing benefits. Make sure you read labels and get one that doesn't have anything added and is pure.
Ensure That Your Honey is Pure
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something a little different, you may actually want to look for a fruit-infused honey.
Always know what ingredients are being used when you buy products. Unfortunately, honey is no exception to this rule. Many store-bought brands now add high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors. It takes only a few seconds to turn the bottle over and read the ingredient list to make sure it is pure honey and you'll be glad you did.
9 Best Healthy Honey Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Y.S. Organic Bee Farms 100% Certified Organic Honey | | Purity and Heritage in Every Jar | |
2 | Kiva Manuka Raw Honey｜UMF 15+ | | Manuka Honey That Meets Strict Requirements | |
3 | Three Peaks Manuka Honey｜UMF 10+ | | Manuka Honey That's Easy to Eat | |
4 | Bee-Haven Raw 100% Pure Florida Honey｜Allergy Blend | | Best for Allergy Sufferers | |
5 | Big Island Bees Pure Hawaiian Honey｜Madacamia Nut Blossom | | Nutty Honey for a Great Dessert Topping | |
6 | Winter Park Honey Raw Orange Blossom Honey | | Sweet Orange Blossom Honey for a Refreshing Treat | |
7 | Bee Harmony American Raw Clover Honey｜2 pack | | Clover Honey From Responsible Beekeepers | |
8 | The Tasmanian Honey Company Genuine Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey | | A Unique-Tasting Honey for Your Collection | |
9 | Desert Creek Raw & Unfiltered Texas Honey | | Raw, Unfiltered, Local Honey in Bulk |
Y.S. Organic Bee Farms100% Certified Organic Honey
Purity and Heritage in Every Jar
KivaManuka Raw Honey ｜ UMF 15+
Manuka Honey That Meets Strict Requirements
Reviewers report that this honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, assisting with sinus issues, inflammation, immunity, and external injuries. Plus, it has a rich, full flavor that makes a great addition to any food.
Manuka Honey That's Easy to Eat
Reviewers report that this honey has helped with issues ranging from blood sugar levels to external wounds. It has a creamy, full-bodied flavor and a thick, spreadable texture.
Bee-HavenRaw 100% Pure Florida Honey ｜ Allergy Blend
Best for Allergy Sufferers
Reviewers write that with regular consumption–just a spoonful a day–this honey really does alleviate allergy symptoms. On top of that, it has a light, smooth flavor that makes it easy to eat.
Big Island BeesPure Hawaiian Honey ｜ Madacamia Nut Blossom
Nutty Honey for a Great Dessert Topping
This honey comes straight from the macadamia nut blossoms of Hawaii, and as such, the honey is infused with a slightly nutty flavor that works great with both hot and cold desserts.
Since it is packed in a glass jar, though, some reviewers did have issues with receiving damaged goods. Some also didn't think it tasted nutty enough. But overall, there were many happy customers, including one that had first tried this on their Hawaiian vacation!
Sweet Orange Blossom Honey for a Refreshing Treat
Reviewers love the complex flavor and note that this particular one has fruity afternotes. Do note, however, that it is liquid at room temperature, which might mean that it’s been heat-treated.
Clover Honey From Responsible Beekeepers
Reviewers write that it has a more complex flavor than other clover honeys. It’s mild and has a well-rounded sweetness. They also appreciate that this honey is True Source Certified.
The Tasmanian Honey CompanyGenuine Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey
A Unique-Tasting Honey for Your Collection
Reviewers rave about the uniquely complex floral flavor, and its texture is thick, creamy and spreadable. Reviewers also note that this honey seems to have similar health effects as manuka, though perhaps less intense.
Desert CreekRaw & Unfiltered Texas Honey
Raw, Unfiltered, Local Honey in Bulk
Want a lot of honey? Here's twelve pounds of it. It's raw, it's unfiltered, and it's harvested locally in Texas. The company harvests, packages, and sends all the orders themselves, so you can truly support small businesses with this honey!
Some say the taste of this honey is so delicious, it's almost magical. Some reviewers had issues using this honey with homebrews, but those who used it just to add sweetness to drinks and foods were more than pleased with the results.
Extra Tips from Nutritionist Kara Swanson
Honey has a strong flavor so when you use it in baked goods make sure you choose a lighter-colored honey. The darker the honey, the stronger its taste. You’ll want to choose a light-colored honey to keep the sweetness as neutral as possible.
The syrupy product is also sweeter than sugar so you'll want to make sure you use less of it when substituting it in a recipe. A good rule of thumb is to use 3/4 a cup of honey per cup of sugar.
One of the most popular ways to use honey and my personal favorite is to make energy bites. The following simple recipe is easy to make and great for a quick on the go snack. Plus, it's super kid-friendly which is always a bonus! You can grab the recipe here.
Great Stuff to Put Your Honey In
While we definitely won't judge you for eating honey by the spoonful, you can also make other things taste delicious with a dollop. Here are some of our suggestions.
Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist Kara Swanson
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.