Have you ever tried sesame coffee that is sweet and salty? While tahini is usually used in savory food, it’s also delicious in sweets! Don’t knock it until you try it, and this salted tahini honeycomb latte from Maman is sure to convert you into the sweet and salty club.

You can make this nutty iced latte with staple kitchen ingredients, and in less than 10 minutes, you can also enjoy this viral NYC latte without leaving your home.

Here’s how to make this delicious salted tahini honeycomb latte at home!

What is the Maman Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte?

The viral salted tahini honeycomb latte comes from a French cafe called Maman in NYC. This drink is a part of their 2025 spring seasonal menu, which features tahini, honey, sea salt (fleur de sel), milk, espresso, and sesame seeds.

Their Middle Eastern-inspired sweet and salty latte went viral on TikTok for using tahini in a drink.

The tahini has a peanutty flavor that works nicely with the sweetness from honey, which rounds out the bitterness in the coffee, and it reminds me of a more savory black sesame latte.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really liking this combination. It’s one you have to try, especially if you like sweet and salty!

Is There Real Honeycomb in a Salted Tahini Latte?

Although it means literal honeycomb, like the hexagonal wax structure that holds honey, you won’t find it in your drink. They use honey (that may have honeycomb in it) to sweeten the drink; it also makes it sound like the honey is fresher, haha. But honeycomb sometimes also refers to honeycomb toffee, which is made with sugar and baking soda.

Why This Salted Tahini Latte Works

The reason this drink went viral is thanks to flavor science. While tahini is traditionally savory, its earthy, roasty profile is the perfect match for coffee.

The Science of Salt & Espresso

Adding a pinch of Fleur de Sel or sea salt to bitter or sour coffee is a coffee hack. Salt enhances the sweetness of sugar in food, rounds out flavors, and also decreases metallic and bitter taste! (Henney JE et al., 2003). Sodium binds to bitter receptors on the tongue and simultaneously enhances sweetness, even when no additional sugar is added.

Does Tahini Go With Honey and Coffee? Sweet and salty is a classic flavor pairing, so tahini and honey definitely go together. If you love this savory-sweet combo, you might also like my Honey Salted Pistachio Latte. Peanut butter and honey are a commonly known pairing, and tahini is very similar to peanut butter, so it works! There’s just something so satisfying about something rich and nutty paired with a nice sweetness!

Additionally, because of its savory flavor, tahini also makes coffee taste less bitter and sour! So, they’re a great pair, although unconventional. Here are some comparisons of other nut butters paired with coffee:

Feature/Name	Tahini	Peanut Butter	Almond Butter
Flavor Profile	Earthy, Savory, Toasty	Sweet, Nutty, Heavy	Mild, Floral, Creamy
Best Coffee Pair	Dark Roast/ Espresso	Medium Roast	Light Roast
Salt Compatibility	High (enhances nutty flavor)	Moderate, it’s already sweet and salty!	Moderate, enhances the nut flavor!

Nutrition Note: Tahini is a great source of healthy fats and calcium! This is a great post-workout treat for a quick energy boost.

How to Make a Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte

You’ll need these ingredients to make this creamy salted tahini honeycomb latte at home:

• ½ tbsp tahini
• 1-2 tsp honey
• 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1 cup ice
• 1-1½ cup milk
• A pinch of sea salt (preferably Fleur de Sel or Maldon)

Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte Recipe

1. Brew Espresso. Using your favorite coffee beans and method, brew 1-2 shots of espresso. You can use an automatic or manual espresso machine, or even instant espresso powder works.
2. Mix Tahini and Honey. Stir the tahini, honey, and salt into the hot espresso immediately until everything dissolves completely. This is crucial for getting a smooth, creamy texture. Otherwise, the tahini can stay in a clump and give a gritty texture. Alternatively, you can mix these into the milk if you want a layered iced latte.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice and milk into a glass, then top with your mixed espresso. Garnish with a piece of honeycomb (optional).
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips:

From me to you, here are some tips for improving or altering this salted tahini honeycomb latte at home:

• Make it Dairy-Free: If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, you can easily make this drink with alternative milks like oat, coconut, soy, or almond milk. Any creamy milk alternative works, and I think it would taste better with a nuttier milk like almond or pistachio, since it works well with the nutty tahini.
• Try Different Sweeteners: Instead of honey, try other sweeteners like maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar. The taste might vary slightly depending on the sweetener used, but it may taste even better than the original! I love it in my Maple Walnut Latte.
• Make a Cold Foam: For a creamy version of this latte, make a salted tahini honey cream or cold foam to add on top of your iced latte. This is such a fun way to change up a classic latte and might taste even more luscious, like in my Salted Honey Cold Foam Iced Coffee recipe!

Explore More Sweet & Salty Coffee

I always believe a little salt makes any sweet treat better. So, if you tried this combination and love it, then you have to try other sweet and salty lattes! Definitely try the matcha version for a salted tahini honeycomb matcha latte, or if you want a nuttier version, the black sesame cream latte is a big hit!

For a boost of caffeine, try the iconic Vietnamese salted coffee, which has the most addictive salted foam, perfect as is or on a salted maple iced shaken espresso or salted caramel latte.