Education

Named the best Manuka honey in the USA. Twice.

EDUCATION

5 minutes, 30 seconds read

Essential Takeaways

  • ConsumerLab.com, a respected US-based independent testing authority, has awarded New Zealand Honey Co.’s UMF™ 15+ Manuka Honey its Top Pick for quality, taste, and value.

  • Our UMF™ 20+ came in a close second, meaning we took out both top spots in the review.

  • These results confirm our status as the best Manuka honey in the USA.

  • All our jars are UMF™ certified, independently tested, and fully traceable from hive to home.

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Life’s good at the top

In the competitive U.S. wellness market, consumers trust what’s verified, not just claimed.

That’s why recognition from ConsumerLab.com, a leading authority in independent health product testing, truly matters. In their May 2025 review of Manuka honey, our UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+ was named Top Pick, with our UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+ earning 2nd Pick. Out of eight authentic Manuka honeys tested, we took both top spots.

This recognition is more than a milestone.

It's a reflection of the care and commitment that goes into every jar. As Marc Eurell, Co-owner of New Zealand Honey Co., says:

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have our UMF™ 15+ and UMF™ 20+ Manuka honey grades take Top and 2nd Pick in the ConsumerLab review. To receive recognition from such a trusted, independent organisation means the world to us. Not just because of the care and effort our team puts into every single jar, but because we know how deeply our honey can support and transform people’s health and wellbeing. These awards are more than just a win for us; they are proof that we’re delivering something powerful, something that’s truly making a difference.

What makes this even more meaningful is that ConsumerLab is based in the United States, one of the most competitive wellness markets in the world. For us to be named the best, and the second best, in America confirms that our commitment to authenticity, purity, and potency resonates with customers globally. It’s recognition that our honey is not only meeting the highest international standards but also earning the trust of discerning consumers who expect the very best.”

Why certification and testing matters

With widespread product variation and confusion around Manuka honey, UMF™ certification sets a high bar, independently verifying both origin and MGO content. Pairing this with ConsumerLab’s award means customers get double validation: from both certification and trusted testing.

ConsumerLab’s process is known for being thorough, transparent, and free from brand influence. They purchase products directly from U.S. store shelves and send them to certified labs for in-depth testing across four key areas:
  • Purity: Confirming the honey is free from adulteration.
  • Strength: Verifying MGO content meets or exceeds label claims.
  • Authenticity: Ensuring it’s genuine, monofloral New Zealand Manuka through DNA and chemical markers.

Taste & value: Considering real-world experience, not just lab results.

In their words:

*“Based on laboratory and taste tests, two products were selected as Top Picks for Manuka honey, which provide exceptional quality, freshness, taste and value.”*¹

MGO levels in their review ranged from 96 mg/kg to 1,113 mg/kg. The New Zealand Honey Co UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+ and UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+ ranked at the very top, confirming the strength and consistency our customers rely on.²

OUR BEST SELLER

Twice the hype

Claiming both the top and second spot wasn’t luck, it was the result of years of dedication to doing things right.

Our UMF™ 15+ and UMF™ 20+ Manuka honeys are the grades our customers come back for, time and time again. They love them for their purity, potency, and flavour, and so do we.

These two jars capture everything we stand for; rigorous independent testing, authenticity you can trace, and the natural magic of New Zealand’s most remote landscapes.

Here’s why each has earned its place at the very top.

  • UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+ Delivers a balanced, smooth experience, perfectly potent for everyday wellness support.

  • UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+ Offers richer intensity, ideal for those seeking heightened potency and a fuller flavor.


The science behind the awards

The quality of Manuka honey hinges on two key measures:

  • UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor) verifies signature compounds like MGO, DHA, and leptosperin.

  • MGO measures the level of methylglyoxal, key to its unique properties.

Each batch is rigorously tested in MPI-recognised labs in New Zealand. We then make the test results publicly accessible via the jar’s QR code, for complete transparency and our customer’s trust.

ConsumerLab’s testing also examines freshness through HMF levels and screens for heavy metals, standards our honey consistently passes. 3

FOR YOUR BREW

Wondering which Manuka honey is right for you?

Choosing the right Manuka honey for your needs should feel effortless.

  • If you prefer a smoother, more rounded flavour, the UMF™ 15+ is your perfect daily companion, potent enough to support your wellbeing every day.

  • If you’re drawn to a richer, more intense taste and want a higher concentration of MGO for targeted support, the UMF™ 20+ delivers in depth and potency you can feel.

Either way, you’re getting Maunka honey that’s traceable to its source, rigorously tested for purity, and recognised among the best Manuka honeys in the world.

And if you’re still on the fence, our quick quiz will help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

How to use our award-winning Manuka goodness

Manuka honey is as versatile as it is potent, making it a daily wellness essential.

Start your morning with a teaspoon straight from the jar to support balanced energy, immunity, and digestion. In colder months, it’s your comforting ally. Stir into warm lemon water or herbal tea to soothe the throat and ease seasonal symptoms. Manuka honey is also a gentle yet powerful skin soother. Use as a hydrating mask, a calming acne treatment, or to help protect dry patches. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it can also support the healing of minor wounds and blemishes.

From fighting winter bugs to elevating your skincare, Manuka honey is more than a superfood. It’s your multi-tasking wellness companion.

What our customers are saying

"Great Manuka Honey" – Khalid Alsulami, Australia
“Great honey with a taste that feels authentic and raw and has many health benefits.” – UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+

"Great Value for money" – Ahmad Albabilli, UAE
“I tried many different manuka brands and New Zealand Honey Co is the best… great benefits for my digestive system. I take almost one spoon daily and I really feel the difference.” – UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+

"I was very impressed" – Samira Khan, United Kingdom
“It’s better than other manuka honeys I previously bought. Very happy. It seems very pure.” – UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+

From digestive support to overall wellness, it seems our customers throughout the US, and worldwide, choose New Zealand Honey Co. for pure, potent Manuka honey they can truly trust.

Simply, unmatched

Winning both ConsumerLab’s Top Pick and 2nd Pick confirms what our customers already know.

Our independently tested, UMF™ certified Manuka honey delivers unmatched authenticity, quality, and taste. Whether you enjoy the balance of UMF™ 15+ or the intensity of UMF™ 20+, you’re choosing proven excellence.

And officially, the best Manuka honey in the USA.

Explore our award-winning products:

References

  1. ConsumerLab.com, “Best & Worst Manuka Honey Identified by ConsumerLab Tests,” May 12, 2025. ↩
  2. ConsumerLab.com, “What it Does” & “Summary” sections, describing potency range and testing rigor. ↩
  3. ConsumerLab.com, “How Products Were Evaluated” (methodology, purity, authenticity testing).

Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.