The Honey Coffee Craze: from Ziggi’s Hot Honey Brews to Viral Summer Drinks
By Chloe Bennett
High-end fitness clubs, boutique wellness spaces, and Scandinavian-inspired espresso bars have turned manuka honey coffee into a premium morning upgrade. Originating from the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium bush native to New Zealand, manuka carries high concentrations of methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound prized for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Manuka honey changes the drink profile completely. Unlike delicate clover or wildflower, genuine manuka honey has a thick, earthy, almost medicinal flavor profile with a savory finish. Specialty roasters pair it with heavy-bodied, low-acidity coffees from Sumatra or wet-hulled Sulawesi beans. The earthiness of the coffee grounds the sharp, herbal qualities of the honey. While drinks featuring certified UMF 10+ or MGO 250+ manuka often cost between $8 and $12 per cup, health-conscious consumers routinely pay the premium to replace artificial sweeteners with an unpasteurized alternative.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
