The Mānuka Honey produced in New Zealand has gained international renown. It's a wonderful natural sweetener, but it's also a "superfood" because of its unmatched multiple qualities. If you want to buy authentic Mānuka Honey from New Zealand, you need to know what to look for on the label and why it's so exceptional.
What is New Zealand Mānuka Honey?
Bees in New Zealand produce honey by sucking nectar from blossoms. Different kinds of honey have their own distinct flavours, hues, and qualities because of the flowers they feed from from. In this case, bees produce Mānuka Honey by gathering nectar from the flowers of the Mānuka bush.
The unique properties of this honey begin right at the hive. When the bees collect nectar from the Mānuka bush, which flourishes only in certain remote parts of New Zealand, they produce a honey unlike any other in terms of taste, texture, and beneficial qualities.
What is "Mānuka" in Mānuka Honey?
Let's back up and figure out exactly what "Mānuka" refers to in "Mānuka Honey." The Mānuka tree is endemic to New Zealand. Leptospermum scoparium is its scientific name, and you can find it all across the country.
In New Zealand, the indigenous Māori people recognised the Mānuka tree’s special characteristics centuries ago. Its white and pink blossoms and short, pointed green leaves were distinctive, but it was the tree’s applications in traditional healing that really stood out.
Traditional Māori medicine (Rongoā Māori) used nearly every part of the Mānuka tree to treat a range of ailments – from wounds and burns to digestive issues. This long-standing knowledge is a key part of the honey’s origin story, showing the early understanding of the tree’s special role in supporting wellbeing.
What Makes New Zealand Mānuka Honey So Unique?
It has been hypothesised that Mānuka Honey contains special qualities that make it useful for more than just sweetening tea. Traditionally, honey has been used to support wound healing, enhance skin health, and promote better digestion.
These potential advantages are due to the rich variety of nutrients found in honey – including proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. But genuine Mānuka Honey goes a step further.
For a long time, the active ingredient that gave this honey its special properties was unknown. Scientists used the term Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF) to describe it, until they identified methylglyoxal (MGO) as the key component.
MGO levels are now used to grade Mānuka honey. This compound is responsible for the honey’s antibacterial activity, which can help to inhibit bacterial growth, soothe sore throats, and support digestive health. It also plays a role in reducing inflammation when applied to the skin.
The higher the MGO rating, the stronger the honey's activity. This has made Mānuka Honey popular not just in kitchens, but in health and wellness routines around the world.
About Melora
Melora’s founders established Api-Med Medical in the early 1990s, a pioneering partnership with WaikatoLink to explore the use of medical-grade Mānuka honey. Their work was among the first to trial the honey in UK hospitals and clinics, setting the foundation for its use as a recognised medical device.
This was later sold to Comvita, one of the largest providers of Mānuka Honey in New Zealand.
In the early 2000s, Melora’s co-founder Phil set up NZ Mānuka Group. Today, Melora Mānuka Honey is carefully gathered and packed using modern, innovative methods that preserve the integrity and purity of the product. Unlike mass-market producers, Melora avoids synthetic honeycomb frames and harvests honey using traditional, non-industrialised techniques.
Every jar of Melora honey reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and authenticity. This attention to detail ensures that Melora delivers authentic Mānuka Honey with the highest possible MGO concentrations and nutrient levels.
Melora is a proud member of the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA), which oversees strict grading and certification standards for Mānuka Honey. This commitment supports their mission to provide customers with the most genuine Mānuka Honey available – rich in taste, tested for quality, and produced with care from hive to jar.
Award-Winning Mānuka Honey 2022
In 2022, Melora Mānuka Honey was recognised for its excellence with a Gold Award at the London Honey Awards.
Each batch of Melora’s honey is independently tested in certified laboratories. The honey is packed with nutrients like vitamins, plant phenols, amino acids, flavonoids, and natural enzymes. This robust nutritional profile helps support immune health and general wellbeing.
Melora’s raw Mānuka Honey has a distinctively rich and sweet taste that sets it apart from other varieties. It’s not just a treat for the palate, it’s a product that reflects the harmony between nature, science, and tradition.
What to Look for When Buying New Zealand Mānuka Honey?
With a wide variety of Mānuka Honey products available, knowing what to look for is important.
Several grading systems exist, including MGO, UMF, K Factor, and "Active." These numbers and terms can be confusing, but there are key things to keep in mind.
Firstly, the New Zealand Government plays a regulatory role in protecting the authenticity of Mānuka Honey. It has introduced strict criteria to distinguish genuine Mānuka Honey from other types of honey on the market.
Secondly, always look for the UMF certification mark. The UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) is an independent body that audits and verifies the purity and origin of the honey. Only products that meet these strict standards can carry the UMF label.
UMF grades typically correspond to MGO levels. For instance:
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UMF 5+ roughly equals MGO 100+
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UMF 10+ equals MGO 300+
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UMF 15+ equals MGO 525+
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UMF 20+ equals MGO 850+
The higher the number, the stronger the honey’s antibacterial activity. If you're looking to enjoy the full range of health benefits, choosing a product with a higher MGO level is often recommended.
In Conclusion
Mānuka Honey from New Zealand is truly unique. Thanks to its origin in the native Mānuka bush, its impressive antibacterial activity, and its wealth of natural compounds, it stands apart from every other honey available today.
Whether you're interested in its health-supporting potential or simply drawn to its distinctive sweet flavour, authentic New Zealand Mānuka Honey is a valuable addition to your home. Its production is a delicate balance of traditional beekeeping, modern science, and the untouched landscapes of New Zealand.
At Melora, every jar of genuine Mānuka Honey tells a story, from the remote hive locations where it begins, to the rigorous testing and grading processes that ensure its purity and strength. With the backing of the New Zealand Government, the oversight of the UMFHA, and the dedication of passionate beekeepers, Melora proudly delivers a product that supports wellbeing while offering an unmatched taste.
Whether you drizzle it over your breakfast or include it in your daily wellness routine, Mānuka Honey is a remarkable gift from nature, full of flavour and history.