Imagine a honey so special, it’s famous worldwide for its amazing natural power. This isn’t just any sweet treat; it’s Manuka Honey, straight from the flowering Manuka bush in New Zealand. You might have heard about it being used for everything from soothing sore throats to helping heal skin. It sounds almost magical, right?
But when you actually go to buy it, things get confusing fast. You see labels with letters and numbers like UMF™ 10+, MGO 400+, and what does it all really mean? It’s easy to feel lost and worry you might pick the wrong kind, especially when this honey costs a bit more. You want to make sure you are getting the real deal and the benefits you are paying for.
Don’t worry! This post cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain what those important labels mean, how to spot genuine Manuka Honey, and which type is best for your needs. By the time you finish reading, you will shop for Manuka Honey like an expert.
Top Manuka Honey Recommendations
- More than honey: Manuka Health’s MGO 400+ Manuka Honey is a versatile and potent superfood with powerful natural properties that support you on your journey to holistic wellness
- Quality you can taste: Our raw and unpasteurized honey offers a uniquely rich, creamy texture and an aromatic, yet earthy sweetness for you to savor
- The magic of Manuka honey: Beyond drizzling on foods as a delicious spread or wholefood sweetener, Manuka honey can be used for skincare treatments, as a digestive soother, and for a natural pre- or post-workout boost
- Tested and certified: Our Manuka honey is triple tested to measure MGO (methylglyoxal) levels and is UMF-certified so you can trust you’re only getting authentic, high-quality Manuka honey at your desired potency level
- 100% New Zealand origin: Each jar of Manuka honey is made, tested and sealed right here in New Zealand; each jar is fully traceable back to the beekeeper, with a QR code on the lid linking you to your honey’s origin, potency and quality credentials
- PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND MANUKA HONEY — MGO 50+: Harvested from pristine Manuka forests in New Zealand, this raw, monofloral Manuka honey contains naturally occurring MGO 50+. Smooth and versatile, it supports gentle daily wellness, natural energy, and everyday balance — perfect as an introduction to authentic Manuka honey.
- DAILY SUPER HONEY FOR WELLNESS SUPPORT: More than a sweetener — this bioactive Manuka honey brings everyday support for immune health, digestion, and steady energy. A delicious way to elevate your daily routine.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED & B-CORP CERTIFIED: Manukora honey is harvested in small batches with deep respect for the land and our bees. B-Corp Certified, Non-GMO, glyphosate residue free, and crafted using regenerative beekeeping practices.
- VERIFIED AUTHENTIC MANUKA — FULL TRACEABILITY: Scan the QR code on your jar to trace your honey to its single-origin source and view purity test results — your guarantee of genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.
- SMOOTH, CREAMY & MADE FOR EVERYDAY USE: This mellow, velvety honey is perfect on toast, oatmeal, tea, yogurt, or straight from the spoon. Praised by customers worldwide with dedicated 1:1 care from our New Zealand team.
- MONOFLORAL HONEY: Raw Manuka Honey is never pasteurized; Non-GMO Project verified Manuka Honey, traceable from hive to home; Enjoy one BPA free, non-leaching poly jar filled with delicious KFactor 16 honey
- NEW ZEALAND HONEY: When you purchase Wedderspoon Honey products, be assured you are buying the highest-quality Manuka Honey from one of the most well-loved brands in North America
- BEE YOUR MOST VIBRANT SELF: Taste and feel the quality, we use a gentle raw creaming process which allows honey to maintain all of the naturally-occurring beneficial properties and valuable phytonutrients
- OUR MISSION: We strive to make the raw Manuka honey as close to freshly harvested perfection as possible; Living enzymes & antioxidants offer nourishing wellness properties and boost immunity
- HONEY-NATURE'S SUPERFOOD: Wedderspoon Honey is versatile; Have a spoonful daily health for well-being; Add to Immune boosting home remedies and DIY skincare; A spoonful of honey provides quick energy and soothes a dry throat
- Manuka Honey - Essential Vitality - Your health is important. This high grade Manuka Honey UMF 20+ is packed with nutrients and essential vitality to help you live your best life. It’s more than just a premium food supplement or skincare aide, it’s a way to help you achieve enhanced wellbeing. Try it today and find out why people keep coming back for more.
- Hive to Home: Our multifloral manuka honey is carefully sourced and processed from harvest to your home
- 100% Pure New Zealand Honey: Every batch of Manuka Doctor honey is authenticated as a Product of New Zealand. Harvested, packed & tested in New Zealand to meet NZ Government Requirements. Our natural honey is also non-GMO, raw and MGO 30+
- Convenient No Mess-No Fuss: Avoid drips and sticky spills with our no-drip Squeeze Bottle. Manuka Honey is nature’s superfoods. Taste-wise, Manuka Honey is darker, thicker, richer, and creamier than regular Squeezy bear honey. Add some Manuka to your everyday routine
- Wellbeeing and Natural Sweetness: Manuka Doctor raw honey is supercharged, functional nutrition that gives a natural boost to your wellbeeing and energy. Perfect in tea or smoothies, drizzled over muesli, on waffles or on a slice of toast
- Your Manuka Expert: Manuka Doctor is the raw Manuka Honey expert with over 300 million bees, 10,000 beehives, 20 beekeepers and its own extraction and packing facility. Giving you confidence that you are buying 100% real New Zealand Manuka Honey
- MONOFLORAL HONEY: Raw Manuka Honey is never pasteurized; Non-GMO Project verified Manuka Honey, traceable from hive to home; Enjoy one BPA free, non-leaching poly jar filled with delicious KFactor 16 honey
- NEW ZEALAND HONEY: When you purchase Wedderspoon Honey products, be assured you are buying the highest-quality Manuka Honey from one of the most well-loved brands in North America
- BEE YOUR MOST VIBRANT SELF: Taste and feel the quality, we use a gentle raw creaming process which allows honey to maintain all of the naturally-occurring beneficial properties and valuable phytonutrients
- OUR MISSION: We strive to make the raw Manuka honey as close to freshly harvested perfection as possible; Living enzymes & antioxidants offer nourishing wellness properties and boost immunity
- HONEY-NATURE'S SUPERFOOD: Wedderspoon Honey is versatile; Have a spoonful daily health for well-being; Add to Immune boosting home remedies and DIY skincare; A spoonful of honey provides quick energy and soothes a dry throat
- Manuka Honey – Our premium Raw Manuka Honey is harvested from the wild landscapes of New Zealand and known for its powerful and active properties. New Zealand Honey Co. has an international reputation for providing the finest natural Manuka Honey since 2006.
- Supercharge Your Food – Boost your everyday food with our Manuka honey or just take a spoonful a day. Our UMF 15+ / MGO 514+ is a perfect partner to many foods; wellness shakes and drinks, muesli, marinades. It is also great for natural skincare.
- 100% New Zealand Made – All our Honey is foraged, harvested, packed and tested in New Zealand, all our batches are independently tested, meaning you can be completely sure what you receive is 100% genuine, as stated on the jar
- UMF Certified – We are a member of the UMF honey association; this means that our honey meets strict grading criteria and what is stated on the label is guaranteed at a minimum. The UMF honey association certification provides confidence that the Manuka honey you are purchasing is 100% authentic. Testing certificates are available for every jar.
- Sustainable Source – Manuka is an indigenous tree of New Zealand and can only be sourced from our unique and beautiful country. Our Manuka honey is an organic, natural living food meaning it still contains all the natural pollens and enzymes as it is the original sweet liquid produced by the bees. Our jars are PETE recyclable and BPA free.
- Boost Your Energy - A spoonful a day, delicious in marinades, to sweeten tea and versatile enough to use for topical skin treatment
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Authentic Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is special. It comes from the nectar of the Manuka bush in New Zealand. People use it for its unique health benefits. Buying the right jar can be tricky. This guide helps you choose the best one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for Manuka honey, look for specific labels. These labels tell you about its strength and quality.
Understanding UMF and MGO Ratings
The most important features are the grading systems. These numbers show how much of the good stuff is inside.
- UMF (Unique Manuka Factor): This is a quality trademark. It checks for three key compounds. Higher numbers mean stronger honey. Look for UMF 10+ or higher for general use.
- MGO (Methylglyoxal): This compound is what makes Manuka powerful. Higher MGO numbers mean higher potency. MGO 250+ is a good starting point.
A jar should clearly show one of these ratings. If it doesn’t have a rating, it might not be real Manuka honey.
Important Materials and Sourcing
The source matters a lot for real Manuka honey.
Origin and Purity
Manuka honey must come from New Zealand. The bees collect nectar only from the native Manuka flower (Leptospermum scoparium).
- Authenticity Seal: Check for official New Zealand government certification marks. This proves the honey was tested and graded correctly.
- Color and Texture: Real Manuka honey is usually creamy or thick. It can range from pale cream to dark amber. Very clear or runny honey might be mixed with other types.
Avoid honey labeled simply as “Manuka blend.” You want 100% pure Manuka honey for the best results.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
How the honey is handled after collection greatly affects its quality.
Processing Matters
The way the honey is treated keeps the beneficial compounds strong.
- Raw vs. Pasteurized: Raw honey is best. Pasteurization (heating) can lower the beneficial properties. Raw honey keeps more of the natural enzymes.
- Storage: Store your honey in a cool, dark place. Heat and sunlight break down the MGO over time. Glass jars keep the honey safe.
User Experience and Use Cases
How do people actually use this powerful honey? The experience is usually about taste and application.
Taste and Texture
Manuka honey has a unique taste. It is often described as earthy, slightly bitter, and less sweet than regular honey. The texture is usually thick and sticky.
Common Uses
People use Manuka honey for different reasons.
- Internal Use: Many people eat a spoonful daily to support gut health.
- Topical Use: Because of its properties, many use it on minor cuts or burns to help with healing and soothing.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Manuka Honey
Q: Is Manuka honey expensive?
A: Yes, Manuka honey costs more than regular honey. This is because it is hard to harvest and the beneficial compounds are rare.
Q: How do I know if my Manuka honey is fake?
A: Look closely at the label. Real Manuka honey must have a UMF or MGO rating clearly printed on it. Also, check for the New Zealand origin mark.
Q: Can I cook or bake with Manuka honey?
A: It is better not to cook with high-grade Manuka honey. High heat destroys the active MGO compounds. Use lower-grade honey or just drizzle it on finished food.
Q: What is the difference between UMF 15+ and UMF 20+?
A: A higher number means stronger activity. UMF 20+ has more beneficial compounds than UMF 15+. You choose based on what you plan to use it for.
Q: Does Manuka honey ever expire?
A: Properly stored Manuka honey does not truly expire like milk. It can last for many years. However, its potency (MGO/UMF level) might slowly decrease over time.
Q: Should I buy raw or filtered Manuka honey?
A: Raw honey is generally preferred. Filtering removes some natural pollen and wax, but raw honey keeps all the natural goodness intact.
Q: Can children eat Manuka honey?
A: No child under one year old should eat any type of honey, including Manuka. This is because of the risk of infant botulism.
Q: How much Manuka honey should I eat each day?
A: Most people start with one teaspoon per day. Always follow the instructions on the jar or ask your doctor for advice.
Q: Where is the best place to store my Manuka honey?
A: Keep it sealed tightly in its original jar. Store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not store it in the refrigerator.
Q: Does the taste change as the MGO level goes up?
A: Yes, the taste often gets stronger and more earthy as the MGO number increases. Lower grades are sweeter, while higher grades can be quite intense.