Coming across the best Manuka honey For Immune System can be an adventure in nature’s pharmacy. Produced by bees from the nectar of the Manuka bush native to New Zealand, this natural nectar is a staple in the pantries of many home cooks and homesteaders.
I’ve reviewed some of the most popular Manuka honey brands available in New Zealand. I have personally researched Almost every Manuka honey company in New Zealand that I have found and more than half a dozen of the most popular and renowned brands were tested Both for taste and medicinal value.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the countless options and ensure you choose truly pure and beneficial Manuka honey. After all, Mother Nature’s gifts are best appreciated in their purest form.
So let’s begin this sweet journey to better health!
Our top tips
In a world full of unnecessary options and with confusing rating systems, it’s important to distinguish the real from the fake. Still, finding the best Manuka honey for immune system doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Its renowned medicinal properties, delicious creamy texture and sweet floral notes are as delicious as they are diverse, making it a versatile companion on our culinary and health journeys.
These best Manuka honey brands all have tantalizing antibacterial properties and taste amazing! However, Something more transparent Compared to others. Read on to learn how we rate the best Manuka honey around.
- Best overall: New Zealand Honey Society
- Best workmanship: Steen’s Manuka Honey
- Best immune booster: Wedding Spoon Manuka Honey
- Best Digestive Health: In addition to Manuka honey
- Best Daily Use: Comvita Manuka-Honig
- Best option: New Zealand Manuka honey
- Bestes Multifloral: Waitemaya Manuka-Honig
Choosing the best brand of Manuka honey
When you choose Manuka honey, you’re not just buying a jar, you’re buying an experience. Harvested from native Manuka trees, learn all about the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) developed by the UMF Association, as well as other Manuka honey grading systems that ensure you are only getting the strongest Manuka honey on the market receive.
In many cases, you can even find your raw Manuka honey straight from the hive and learn more about New Zealand’s beautiful landscape.
When purchasing Manuka honey, I attach great importance to the authenticity of the best Manuka honey brands to ensure that only Manuka honey is of high quality.
However, I have explored the full spectrum including multifloral versions, UMF certification, MGO testing and K-factor.
Not only did I ensure that these products were only pure Manuka honey straight from the New Zealand Manuka bush, but I also took into account the entire journey from clicking the buy button to the final delivery of the product and everything in between .
From virtual presentation to service and value, I evaluated company profiles, processing strategies, sustainability practices, website resources, shipping costs, buyer programs and delivery times.
From most popular to least popular, these are the top Manuka honey brands that I like the most.
Best Manuka Honey For Immune System in 2023
1. New Zealand Honey
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: 5+ – 28+ MGO number: 83+ – 1450+ Shipping: $7.99 Delivery time: 2 working days |
| Today’s best offers | Check out New Zealand Honey Co |
| Reason to buy | + Affordable Manuka honey + Fast shipping + Authentic and understandable + Original certificate + Pleasant light scent |
| Reasons to avoid | – Slight medicinal aftertaste |
While the New Zealand Honey Company offers a wide range of options, I chose the UMF Certified 5+ as an all-round kitchen staple. This particular brand of monofloral Manuka honey is made in Aotearoa, New Zealand and is pure, pure Manuka honey.
The New Zealand Honey Company has a range from UMF 5+ MGO 83+ to the uniquely superior UMF 28+ MGO 1450. If you are unsure which pure Manuka honey to buy, take the quiz to find the best Manuka honey For Immune System. Honey for you…
New Zealand Manuka Honey UMF 5+ has a light amber color with a subtle floral aroma.
It resembles soft caramel with a wonderfully sweet and mild taste, similar to traditional clover honey. However, it has a very subtle camphor-like aftertaste. This is the perfect natural sweetener for your herbal tea to soothe your sore throat.
This Manuka Honey UMF 5+/MGO 83+ is a creamy monofloral honey that is 100% raw and therefore contains all-natural pollen, enzymes, and health benefits. Its thickness makes it good for treating wounds and minor skin abrasions.
When you purchase a jar of this high-quality Manuka honey from the New Zealand Honey Company, you are embarking on an adventure. Each honey bottle has a QR code on the lid so you can track the origin of your honey.
Alternatively, you can also enter the batch number printed on your bottle. You will then receive a UMF certificate with a very detailed description of the origin of your pure Manuka honey as well as a description of its specific ingredients.
It also ensures that every batch of honey is tested for the presence of glyphosate, making it the highest quality Manuka honey on the market.
The New Zealand Honey Company offers a rewards program that allows you to earn points toward discounts. You can sign up for their personalized subscription program, which allows you to automatically refill your pure Manuka honey every 1-3 months.
On their website, you will find numerous educational articles and recipes, as well as some historical articles about New Zealand’s first tea tree honey.
New Zealand honey features numerous certifications and references on its label, making it the best Manuka honey brand for authenticity and transparency:
- Fernmark license
- UMF certified trademark
- Non-GMO-Project
- Glysophate free
- Halal certification
- Kosher certification
2. Stone Manuka Honey
Currently, orders over $50 get free delivery or 10% off when you subscribe to the subscription service.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: Multi-Floral – UMF 24+ Shipping: $5 Delivery time: 3 working days |
| Today’s best offers | Look at Steens Check it out on Amazon |
| Reason to buy | + Affordable + Full comb technology + Authentic and understandable + UMF certified + Fast shipping and low shipping costs + Deliciously sweet and rich |
| Reasons to avoid | The texture may not be for everyone. Thickness can be difficult to manage – No Fernmark seal |
The Steens Manuka honey brand offers a spectrum of honey from multifloral to a UMF rating of 24, and this honey is absolutely amazing.
Steens Manuka Honey is of the highest quality and offers a wide range of Manuka health benefits for your medicinal needs. Steens is rich in enzymes, rich in minerals and proteins and has three times higher bioavailability. It is the grainiest, most thixotropic, and most aromatic in our range and is “widely recognized as an all-natural food”.
If you need help choosing the right Manuka honey, you will receive the results of the quiz and a 40% discount code in exchange for your email address.
UMF 10+ is an extremely thick and grainy high quality Manuka honey with a dark amber color and strong taste. You can clearly see that bee pollen, bee bread and wax particles are mixed together. It’s deliciously sweet with a slightly candied fruit flavor.
Steens is one of New Zealand’s best Manuka honey companies, offering real honey with excellent quality and taste. When you buy Manuka honey from Steens, you benefit from comprehensive customer service.
Steens’ real Manuka honey offers a personalized tracking code that you can enter to find out its origin. You can track the exact geographical location where your Manuka flower is growing.
You’ll also find some beautiful photos of New Zealand and a little history and culture surrounding your special bottle of Manuka honey.
Also check your batch number key and relevant information Test certification And you can see the specific results of the Manuka marker for your bottle.
The packaging also bears the traditional UMF-certified logo.
Staines uses its own trademarked full comb technology, which involves scraping the honeycomb with bee bread, pollen or wax. Bee bread contains pollen, nectar, honey and bee saliva, making it an excellent source of amino acids, enzymes and other nutrients that aid digestion:
- To demand
- calcium
- Potassium
- B-Vitamine
- Flavonoids and phenols
- Bioavailability
Cold pressing the honeycomb preserves all the nutrients and gives you the best raw, unpasteurized, and unfiltered honey.
You can even customize your own subscription program for routine delivery and get 20% off each jar.
The Steens website features a wellness guide and blog full of useful information, recipes and how-to articles, as well as access to dedicated customer support.
You also get free shipping on orders over $50, but regular shipping prices are much lower than most companies.
Overall, Steens offers the best Manuka honey experience and is one of the most transparent companies with the most certifications, traceability from hive to home, excellent resources and excellent value for money.
3. Wedding Spoon Manuka Honey
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka Factor: Multifloral Manuka Honey K-Factor 12 or 16 Shipping: $18+ Delivery time: 5 working days |
| Today’s best offers | See price |
| Reason to buy | + Affordable price + Original certificate + Rewards program + Great taste |
| Reasons to avoid | – High shipping costs – No visible traceability |
The Wedderspoon Manuka honey brand offers a variety of high quality Manuka honey products in addition to the K-Factor mono and polyflower honeys.
Wedderspoon contains four main types of honey, which come from the real Manuka plant in New Zealand:
- Flower honey with K-factor 12
- Monofloral Manuka honey with K-factor 16
- Monofloral organic Manuka honey with K-factor 16
- Raw Manuka honey MGO 850+
Wedderspoon is an established and respected New Zealand brand with a trusted name and they don’t disappoint. Even their flower honey has some health benefits and medicinal properties beyond those of regular honey.
In addition, they offer a variety of healthy honey products such as propolis sprays and gummies.
Not all New Zealand honey is considered medicinal Manuka honey or has a UMF rating. However, they still have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, enough to treat common ailments like sore throats and minor skin infections.
Wedderspoon’s K-Factor 12 is a great option for overall good health and digestion. For a stronger version with higher medicinal properties, take manuka honey with K-factor 16.
Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey has a slightly thicker consistency than regular table syrup, but with visible pollen that you can feel and taste, it gives it a slightly grainy texture.
Its apricot color has a confectionery aroma that resembles somewhere between burnt marshmallow and cotton candy with a hint of mint.
Wedderspoon’s extraction process involves giant fans that naturally warm the environment without exceeding the temperature of the hive. This reduces the viscosity of the honey to such an extent that the natural residues are filtered three times.
Wedderspoon Manuka Honey is gently creamed to produce rich, creamy honey with all its health benefits.
Their website has an extensive “Sweet Spot” blog with lots of information and recipes for you to try, as well as a “Sweet Rewards” program that lets you earn points toward in-store discounts.
However, there appears to be no way to trace the hive, although the website states that “all Manuka honey traces back to our original beekeepers who collected and stored the hives.”
Although the Manuka jar says “traceability from hive to home,” there is no QR code or visible place on the website to enter a batch number for traceability.
Wedderspoon Manuka honey has slightly different K-Factor certifications, but still has the Fernmark seal of approval as well as the following certifications:
- Non-GMO-Project
- Toboggan Institute
- Glysophate free
- Halal certification
Unlike most Manuka honey producers, Wedderspoon uses a K-factor grading system instead of the usual UMF rating, which goes beyond the requirements of the Ministry of Primary Industries in New Zealand.
The K factor measures the amount of manuka pollen in honey, which inadvertently confirms the honey’s origin and authenticity. Since the Manuka tree is native to New Zealand, the Manuka pollen layers differ between monofloral and polyfloral.
Wedderspoon is proud to be the only certified food facility for safe quality Manuka honey.
Additionally, they offer free shipping on orders over $25. It’s worth upgrading your purchase to free shipping. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if your shipping costs are higher than the price of your honey.
4. Manukora-Manuka-Honey
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: 24+ MGO number: 200 Shipping: $7.99 Delivery time: 5 working days |
| Today’s best offers | See Manucora |
| Reason to buy | + Affordable + Reasonable shipping costs + Non-GMO certified + Certified glyphosate-free + Smooth and creamy |
| Reasons to avoid | – Lack of Fernmark certification |
Whether it’s MGO 200 or Manuka Honey UMF 24+, Manukora is packed with antioxidants and prebiotics, making it a great energy and immune booster as well as a great digestive health benefit.
Its high MGO content has been proven to prevent harmful bacteria such as E. coli and MRSA.
Manukora Manuka honey has a peppery color with just a little grain. It has a subtle warm vanilla aroma, but the taste is surprisingly toffee-y, with hints of burnt toffee. Overall, it’s sweet with a smooth, creamy texture, but slightly tart, adding some pizzazz.
Manukora offers a variety of MGO options from 200 to 1123 and a personalized quiz to find the perfect solution. Additionally, you can subscribe to monthly deliveries and get 20% off, but there doesn’t seem to be any obvious rewards program.
Member for Manukora UMF Honey Society, they highlight their MGO numbers over their UMF factors “for convenience.” But rest assured, they’ll make sure of pure Manuka honey provides its customers with all necessary testing information through its unique QR authentication platform and each product has its own QR code.
Manukara is a relatively new company compared to our other Manuka honey brands. However, there is an interesting backstory of Bryce Hooton, a blind beekeeper in New Zealand’s Eastern Cape in 1998.
They don’t provide much information about how their honey is processed and compared to other New Zealand Manuka honey suppliers there is a lot of information missing.
Manukora is both GMO-free and glyphosate-free. The company notes that each batch is tested by third parties for toxins and pesticides.
Manukora does not carry the Fernmark quality seal, nor are all of their jars of honey UMF certified. So if you really want pure Manuka honey with UMF certification, be sure to read the labels carefully.
From the bottle of Manuka honey I received, it appears that the product is affiliated with Ora Foods of Los Angeles, California. During the examination, They are food Member of the UMF Association and licensed New Zealand private label Manuka producer
Monukora offers free shipping on orders over $50, but there is a minimum shipping fee for orders under $50.
5. Comvita Manuka-Honig
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: Multifloral – UMF 20+ MGO number: 50+ Shipping: Free within the United States Delivery time: 6 working days |
| Today’s best offers | See current price |
| Reason to buy | + Free shipping to USA + Very affordable + Seal of authenticity |
| Reasons to avoid | – No verifiable traceability – No rewards program – Expensive shipping to UK and Mexico |
Comvita Manuka Honey is a reputable New Zealand company known for the health benefits of Manuka in medicine and sports. They offer a range of honeys from Multi-Floral to Manuka Honey UMF 20 as well as a variety of other Manuka Honey products.
The MGO content extracted from Manuka flower pollen has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and has a good reputation in hospitals for wound healing. Comvita Manuka Honey health benefits include immunity, DIY skin care, and gut health.
Its apricot color is very grainy but not as thick as others. It has a faint honeysuckle scent with a fresh, zesty herbal flavor.
Comvita Manuka Honey produces raw, unpasteurized and creamy honey with and without UMF certification.
Although Comvita advertises that the origin of their honey is traceable, there is no visible feature on their website or bottle to identify their honey, making them slightly less transparent than other Manuka honey brands.
There are tons of articles and recipes on their website, but there are no subscription services or rewards programs available.
Comvita bears the most important seal of authenticity:
- Fernmark
- Unique Manuka factor (if applicable)
- Verified non-GMO
They are proud partners of the Harmony Plan for Climate Action and aim to be carbon neutral by 2025. Additionally, they have partnered with the Saving the Wild project to protect the Kimana Wildlife Corridor in Africa and provide a scholarship fund for children. The land belongs to the Maasai.
ComvitaPosted Being free to use within the US makes it one of the cheapest options. However, shipping is quite expensive for those in the UK and Mexico.
Comvita has ongoing offers, both percentage discounts and buy one get one free. Although you can sign up for the newsletter, there doesn’t appear to be a subscription service.
6. New Zealand Manuka honey
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: 5+ – 25+ Shipping: $18.08 Delivery time: 10 working days |
| Today’s best offers | See current price |
| Reason to buy | + Multiple brands to choose from + Loyalty program + Original certificate |
| Reasons to avoid | – High shipping costs – Slow shipping speed |
Manuka Honey NZ is New Zealand’s curator of all things Manuka honey. Over twenty different brands offer you a wide selection. They promote only the best Manuka honey brands with UMF authenticity.
They offer a range of honeys from UMF 5+ to 25+, ideal for “natural healing and bacterial balance” with numerous options to boost both natural energy levels and your immune system.
I chose the Onuku brand Manuka honey, which has a delicious creamy texture and taste, making it the perfect choice for both your taste buds and a sore throat with lots of antibacterial properties.
All Manuka honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for wound treatment, sore throats, skin care and improving digestive health. They also have many of the properties of other Manuka health products, including moderate antibacterial properties.
There is no information about how Onuku’s Manuka honey is processed and its ingredients are listed only as “pure and natural New Zealand honey.” However, they do offer an authenticity tracking program so you know when and where your Manuka honey comes from in New Zealand.
If you want the one-stop experience of working with different brands, New Zealand-based Manuka Honey offers a very nice loyalty plan that pays you $1 for every $5 (New Zealand currency) you spend.
Plus, they only make trusted brands with real Manuka honey products, so you can be sure you’re getting the real thing from the real Manuka plant.
Of course, certification varies by brand, but Onuku Honey offers limited certifications:
- Unique Manuka factor
- Non-GMO-Project
- Halal certified
Standard shipping is a bit high compared to other comparisons, but free delivery is offered on purchases over $100.
Also, when I purchased it, I was told that delivery would be via “Untracked International Air” and could take 10-25 business days, and it did! It took a full ten business days to arrive, but it was worth the wait.
7. Waimata Manuka Honey Direct Limited
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
| Specifications | Unique Manuka factor: 10+ Free Shipping Delivery time: > 3 weeks |
| Today’s best offers | Visit the Waitemata |
| Reason to buy | + Free shipping + Personalized email + UMF certification |
| Reasons to avoid | – And shipping times – Low transparency – Weak virtual display |
Waitemata Manuka Honey specializes in a range of local New Zealand honeys including Pohutukawa and Rewarewa. They have a selection of honeys from Multi-Floral to UMF 20+ for all your Manuka health needs.
Its UMF certified honey is known worldwide for its beneficial antibacterial properties and healing effects and the company has received numerous awards including the Hong Kong Consumer Council 5 Star Award and the Best Creamed Honey in New Zealand award. Pohutukawa honey.
After your purchase you will receive a personalized email John Martin yourself, along with a tracking number and the estimated arrival date for your honey. Waitemata offers good Manuka honey with a golden brown color and a dark, earthy taste filled with the floral aroma of the Manuka plant.
The company doesn’t provide much information about how its honey is processed, other than that the honey and wax are scraped from the honeycomb and then pushed out of the honeycomb using centrifugal force.
Their website states that the honey is “further processed” but does not specify what it looks like. However, they have the trusted New Zealand UMF certification which is the only certification they offer.
Waitemata’s virtual presentation leaves something to be desired and offers the least transparency compared to other Manuka honeys in our range. No Commitment – no blog, rewards program or membership program.
Shipping is free, but delivery times are below industry standards, which take more than three weeks.
How to Choose the Best Manuka Honey For Immune System
Since all honey is not created equal, there are a few things you should consider before deciding which Manuka honey to add to your medicinal arsenal. The physical properties of raw manuka honey not only provide a visual indication of its taste, but also a good indication of its healing properties.
Both normal honey and Manuka honey have a colorless to dark brown color and a taste ranging from slightly mild to clearly strong. The taste of each honey depends on the bee, the climate, the plant and the soil.
Gentle honey is like a good, aged wine. Its color darkens and its smell becomes stronger over time, and its longevity gives it both hygroscopic and antibacterial properties.
The texture
Good quality Manuka honey is notoriously thick and often comes in a solid or near-solid form. Less processed, it is denser and more nutritious.
Its texture is also related to its hygroscopic properties. The thicker it is, the lower its moisture content, which allows it to fight bacteria and microorganisms.
the taste
Obviously, the best thing about Manuka honey is the taste. If you don’t like the smell, you’re less likely to reap the medicinal benefits. Like regular honey from different parts of the world, each brand of Manuka honey tastes different depending on the factors mentioned above.
Not all flavors are suitable for all people. Graininess, viscosity, and sweetness will appeal to everyone differently. You can try a lighter, creamier version before moving on to the thicker, resinier version.
the color
The color of Manuka honey can range from cream to dark amber, but did you know that the color of your honey says a lot?
Dark manuka honey has a more intense flavor and is usually sweeter than light honey. From a health perspective, darker raw manuka honey generally offers better health benefits because it has a higher concentration of antioxidants.
In contrast, mild pure Manuka honey has a milder taste and is better suited as a daily supplement.
Monofloral V. Polyfloral
When it comes to the medicinal properties of pure Manuka honey, Monofloral is hands down the best. Obviously, the higher the UMF rating of Manuka honey, the higher the medicinal content, but polyfloral Manuka honey should not be dismissed as irrelevant.
While polyfloral manuka may not offer top-notch health benefits, it may offer better taste cred for those put off by the grainy texture and viscosity of higher UMF ratings.
Although polyfloral manuka honey may not be as nutritious, it still offers a variety of medicinal benefits. A polyflower honey with an MGO of 80 or better corresponds to a Manuka honey UMF 5+ and therefore offers the same benefits.
It is still full of live enzymes and phytonutrients that, while not considered a premium Manuka honey, make it very useful for home remedies, energy boosters, beauty treatments and skin care.
How is Manuka honey processed?
One of the most important things to know about Manuka honey, or any honey for that matter, is how it is processed.
Some companies have been a little less open about their processing techniques, but here are the basics on raw, unpasteurized, and pasteurized honey.
Raw Manuka honey
Raw New Zealand honey comes straight from the hive and contains some external components, including honeycomb, wax and even dead bee parts. It also has the most health benefits as it contains bee bread, bee pollen, wax, propolis and royal jelly.
Raw honey is usually thick, cloudy and opaque because it is unrefined. Some Manuka honey producers use a manual filtration process that strains out the larger unwanted pieces. However, this is usually done without applying heat.
Raw Manuka honey is by far the best as it keeps the honey’s natural enzymes intact without heating or filtering, contributing to both its medicinal properties and delicious taste.
Unpasteurized honey
Unpasteurized New Zealand Manuka honey is slightly heated during processing, but when properly processed will never reach above hive temperatures. As a result, honey retains many of its nutritional and therapeutic health benefits as well as its unique taste.
Pasteurized Manuka honey contains less pollen, propolis and beeswax, resulting in fewer health benefits.
Raw and unpasteurized honey best preserves the region’s most distinct flavors and is often the most hygroscopic, making it excellent for skin and wound care.
Pasteurized honey
When Manuka honey brands overheat or cook their raw honey, it results in a loss of nutrients.
All raw honey contains 18-19% water. So when the temperature rises above 21°C (69.8°F), fermentation begins, causing yeast and enzymes to develop.
The pasteurization process involves heating honey to over 72°C (161.6°F) to kill any yeast, which is typically the case with store-bought honey. This is done to slow down the crystallization process and make the honey more aesthetically pleasing.
This filtering process not only removes most bee pollen, but also useful enzymes and nutrients. Therefore, pasteurized honey is usually a free-flowing liquid with very little nutritional value.
How is Manuka honey made creamy?
Many Manuka companies offer creamy Manuka honey, which is traditionally made from 100% pure raw honey and has a thick, rich texture with a pleasant aroma.
When used correctly, creamy manuka honey is a blend of crystallized honey and liquid honey. This mixture is chilled to quickly granulate the Manuka honey, lightening its color. Stir until a silky smooth texture is created.
The best raw Manuka cream honey is the honey that still contains all the bee pollen and therefore retains all the nutrients. This allows you to get the most benefits from Manuka honey and improve your health.
New Zealand seal of quality for Manuka Hari
The New Zealand government is very proud of its Manuka honey and wants to protect it from counterfeiting. So if you’re confused by all the certification hype, here are simple explanations for the different Manuka honey grading systems.
Fernmark Seal of New Zealand
New Zealand works hard to keep its reputation credible and trustworthy in the eyes of its customers. As such, the New Zealand government created Seal as a symbol of faith and authenticity.
This globally recognized seal applies not only to Manuka honey, but is available to all New Zealand companies that meet the criteria.
One of Fernmark’s admission criteria is GST Registration, but not all businesses need to register for GST as registration is based on sales.
While many claim that Manuka honey must bear this mark to be pure, this is not necessarily the case. However, it assures you that your product is genuine.
Unique Manuka factor
The UMF rating system was developed by the UMF Honey Association, which licenses honey producers who meet its strict standards. To use this trademark, manufacturers must have a valid UMF license and be a member of the UMF Association.
The amazing UMF number is based on the methylglyoxal (MGO) content of each batch of honey, which is known to have non-peroxide healing properties and superior antibacterial properties, which Manuka honey is famous for.
Many people think that if Manuka honey does not bear this logo, it is “fake” and not authentic or real. However, it is important to know that this rating is directly related to the quality of the medicinal effects of your Manuka honey and has nothing to do with its origin.
This is basically an assessment of the therapeutic quality of your Manuka honey, and not all Manuka honey is therapeutic. If your bottle of Manuka doesn’t have this symbol on it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t come from New Zealand. This does not mean that it has been adulterated or mixed.
This could easily mean that it has either not been tested, failed the drug quality test, or uses a different rating system.
K-Factor
K Factor is a Manuka honey grading system developed exclusively by Wedderspoon Company to comply with New Zealand Government guidelines.
The rating system is completely different from the UMF.
While the UMF rating system follows the guidelines of the UMF Honey Association, K Factor follows their guidelines Ministry of Major Industries.
PMI sets government regulations for the production, processing, sale and storage of honey and the beekeeping industry. Wedderspoon is proud to be “the only government regulated and recognized standard for Manuka honey in the world.”
Additionally, the UMF rating measures the amount of methylglyoxal, while the K-factor measures manuka pollen.
K Factor tests and certifies your Manuka honey for the following aspects:
- From New Zealand
- Raw and unpasteurized
- Not genetically modified
- Glyphosate and pesticide free
- Traceable from the hive to home
Monofloral Manuka honey has a K-factor of 16, while polyfloral has a K-factor of 12.
MGO number
MGO numbers measure levels of methylglyoxal, an antibacterial compound not found in regular honey. MGO concentration measures the potency of Manuka honey and is directly related to the levels of leptospirin, glyphosate, DHA and HMF, all of which contribute to the health benefits of your Manuka honey.
In short, the more MGO, the higher the medicinal properties of Manuka honey.
Non-GMO-Project
In today’s world, both food quality and agricultural practices are becoming more questionable every day. In recent years, genetically modified/biotechnologically produced foods have become increasingly common.
Genetic material is used artificially in the laboratory to create combinations of animal, bacterial, plant and viral genes, prevent the direct use of herbicides, create pesticides or even create new organisms.
The use of these toxic substances has led to the creation of “superweeds” and “superbugs” that cannot be recalled once released into the environment. Furthermore, they can only be killed through chemical farming.
Non-GMO verification ensures that your Manuka honey or other food ingredients are not bioengineered and meet Non-GMO Project standards.
This includes rigorous testing, traceability and separation of your Manuka honey.
Free from glyphosate residues
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used pesticides worldwide and has a more universal profile than any other chemical used in food production.
Since bees collect nectar from real Manuka plants, the Glyphosate Residue Free logo ensures that your Manuka honey contains no residues of this pesticide.
Because the Non-GMO Project has had great success in demanding more transparency from food manufacturers about their manufacturing practices, the Glycofacet Residue Free logo is an excellent complementary certification.
This confirms that your Manuka honey does not contain 0.01 ppm glyphosate residue.
Frequently asked questions about Manuka honey
Why is Manuka honey different from other honeys?
Manuka honey comes exclusively from the New Zealand Manuka plant and is the only honey that contains high levels of methylglyoxal, a non-peroxide active ingredient with many proven health benefits.
It contains various phenols and flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Why is heat harmful to honey?
The truth is that most Manuka honey is heated to some degree to make processing easier. Heating honey inside the hive is an accepted practice among both beekeepers and the UMF Association.
Warming worsens when temperatures exceed 32.7–36.1 °C (91–97 °F), as this is the normal temperature of the hive. Any of the above destroys the health benefits, nutrients and taste of Manuka.
Why does my honey have an expiry date?
As mentioned, Manuka honey ages, but it doesn’t actually expire. The aging process can change the color and consistency of your honey. For raw and unpasteurized Manuka honey, crystallization and fermentation are normal processes.
Additionally, antioxidant, leptosparin, MGO, and prebiotic levels can decrease over time, especially if stored improperly. The expiration date is an indication of how long your Manuka honey can retain its beneficial ingredients after opening.
Your honey will not go bad and can be safely consumed after the expiry date. However, it is highly doubtful that you will have any honey left after the expiration date is reached.
For best results, store your honey in a cool, dark place at around 20°C.
My Manuka honey is starting to ferment. What should I do?
All raw honey ferments over time. However, it is not dangerous and you do not need to throw away Manuka honey.
Instead, soak it in warm water for 20-25 minutes to slow down the fermentation process. You can use a candy thermometer to make sure your water doesn’t get above 97° (36.1° C).
What nutritional benefits does Manuka honey have?
Honey is rich in vitamins A and C, which also contribute to its antioxidant levels. Pollen contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that strengthen your bone structure.
Raw Manuka honey also contains residues of propolis, a liquid that bees use to coat and protect their hives and is known to impart varying amounts of phenols for antibacterial properties and other health benefits.
Propolis contains significant amounts of vitamins B and C, potassium and magnesium.
Most importantly, it contains methylglyoxal, which is best known for its wound healing properties.
Revelation
Regardless of the brand you choose, you can eat manuka honey straight from the spoon, add it to your dishes for a stronger flavor, or use it as a natural sweetener.
Manuka honey has some of the strongest antibacterial properties, making it useful for treating a sore throat or wound. Alternatively, you can take Manuka honey once daily as a simple dietary supplement, energy booster or digestive aid.
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Manuka honey for stomach ulcers
