EDUCATION

What Is KFactor™ In Manuka Honey?

EDUCATION

8 minutes, 30 seconds read

Essential Takeaways

KFactor™ is a Manuka honey rating system created by a honey brand. It verifies five key factors which indicate genuine Manuka honey: traceability, raw and unpasteurised, non-GMO, made in New Zealand, and free from antibiotics, glyphosate, and pesticides. KFactor™ can be multifloral or monofloral.

KFactor™ leaves out one of the most critical measures that most Manuka honey customers look for - its antibacterial potency. Methylglyoxal (MGO) content is not included in the KFactor™ rating. Instead, we recommend the UMF™ rating for Manuka honey.

UMF™ is independent from any single brand, trusted by premium Manuka honey producers and tests genuine, fresh, pure, raw, and monofloral Manuka honey produced and packaged in New Zealand. The gold standard, by opting for UMF™ Manuka honey, you are covering all your bases and getting the best possible product straight from the wilds of New Zealand.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended to inform and educate consumers of Manuka honey on the ratings used by various brands, so they can better understand what they’re buying. We do not endorse KFactor™ for the reasons stated below and instead recommend that customers look for UMF™ and MGO ratings. This article aims to provide a transparent overview of the reasons why.

Is KFactor™ just another Manuka honey rating, or the only one you should pay attention to?

If you’re wondering about KFactor™ in Manuka honey, you’re in the right place.

TLDR: KFactor™ is a rating system trademarked and owned by one brand only. It does not measure the key component that Manuka honey is most known for, its methylglyoxal (MGO) content, which indicates its antibacterial potency.

If you’re looking for a trusted, independent rating system which is based on the NZ government’s standards¹, is used by many different Manuka honey brands, and that measures bioactivity, we recommend UMF™. Here, we’ll talk about why.

In this guide to Manuka honey KFactor™:

What is Manuka Honey KFactor™?

Manuka honey KFactor™ is a rating system created by the honey brand Wedderspoon.

It is based on five ‘key factors’ which, together, aim to verify quality and authenticity in a batch of Manuka honey²:

  1. Traceability (from hive to home).

  2. Raw and unpasteurised.

  3. Certified non-GMO.

  4. Produced and packaged in New Zealand.

  5. Free from antibiotics, glyphosate, and pesticides.

The KFactor™ 12 rating meets the Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ) standards for multifloral Manuka honey, and KFactor™ 16 meets the standards for monofloral Manuka honey.

The five key factors accounted for in the KFactor™ rating system might be helpful for some customers. But for many, some critical components are missing.

Manuka honey is famous for its antibacterial potency, studied and revered worldwide for particularly high levels of a naturally occurring compound called methylglyoxal (MGO)³.

So much so in fact, that you’ll see MGO numbers on jars of Manuka honey. The KFactor™ rating doesn’t take MGO content into account.

We prefer the UMF™ grading system. It not only meets the NZ government’s standards but builds on them, it’s independent and used by many different brands, and it rigorously tests multiple chemical markers in Manuka honey, including MGO.

UMF™ Manuka honey is verified as:

  • Authentic: The honey is tested for Leptosperin, a compound present in mānuka nectar.

  • Monofloral: it is made almost exclusively from mānuka nectar.

  • Antibacterial: the amount of MGO is measured and this quantity dictates the UMF™ grade of the honey (the higher the antibacterial potency, the higher the grade).

  • Fresh: DHA and HMF compounds are measured to determine how long the honey has been out of the hive to ensure quality and shelf life.

UMF™ adheres to the strictest standards worldwide and verifies that honey was produced and packaged in New Zealand.

Learn more about UMF™ and the UMFHA.

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What is a good KFactor™ for Manuka honey?

Wedderspoon Manuka honey typically comes in two KFactor™ grades: 12 and 16. The lower grade meets the MPI standards for multifloral Manuka honey, and the higher grade is monofloral.

If your main concern when buying Manuka honey is whether the honey is legitimate and monofloral, then KFactor™ is suitable, and KFactor™ 16 would be best. However, it doesn’t tell you much about the antibacterial potency or concentration of bioactive compounds like MGO.

If you’re looking for Manuka honey to use for purposes alongside food, we recommend using a more thorough, independent grading system like UMF™.


What’s the difference between KFactor™ 12 and 16 in Manuka honey?

KFactor™ 12 honey is likely to come from multiple floral sources, one of which is mānuka. This will have lower antibacterial activity as a result, although the KFactor™ rating itself doesn’t verify the antibacterial potency either way.

KFactor™ 16 is guaranteed to meet the MPI standards for monofloral Manuka honey. This means that the honey has been made from mostly mānuka nectar, which suggests it may have higher antibacterial activity.

If antibacterial potency matters as part of your buying decision, it’s best to look for UMF™ graded Manuka honey instead. The higher the UMF™ grade, the more potent the honey (and it’s all monofloral, too).

Is KFactor™ the Best Manuka Honey Grading System?

If you care about independently tested, verified, and proven potency in your jar of Manuka honey, then KFactor™ isn’t the right system for you.

UMF™ is the gold standard when it comes to Manuka honey ratings.

It’s owned and operated independently from any Manuka honey producers, it tests for a variety of chemical markers that ensure quality, authenticity, and freshness, and it ensures that jars are produced and packaged in New Zealand - as close to the source as possible.

In a world where honey is one of the most faked foods, this verification protects real, potent Manuka honey and the customers who love it.

What is the difference between KFactor™ and UMF™?

KFactor™ and UMF™ are both grading systems for Manuka honey, but they test for different things and are owned and operated by different organisations.

KFactor™ was created by a honey brand to promote their products, and tests for five factors that indicate quality Manuka honey, but don’t say anything about its potency. KFactor™ Manuka honey can be multifloral (made from a combination of different nectars) or monofloral (made mostly from mānuka nectar).

UMF™ was created by an independent organisation, the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association. It verifies genuine Manuka honey, its antibacterial potency, and its freshness. Only monofloral Manuka honey can receive a UMF™ grade.

Learn more about decoding UMF™.

SHOP REAL RAW MANUKA

What is the difference between KFactor™ and MGO?

KFactor™ is a Manuka honey rating system whereas MGO (methylglyoxal) is a naturally occurring compound found in Manuka honey.  

Most honey has antibacterial activity thanks to the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This peroxide activity degrades over time, making the honey less effective when used for antibacterial purposes as it ages.

Manuka honey is unique. It has non-peroxide activity, meaning that its antibacterial properties are sustained even when hydrogen peroxide is blocked or decreases over time. MGO is the compound most closely associated with this activity, which is why it has become such an important measure for Manuka honey.

Learn more about what MGO on Manuka honey means.

What is the best strength Manuka honey?

The best strength of Manuka honey for you depends on what you want to use it for. The lower strengths (which contain less methylglyoxal, or MGO) are great for a daily health and wellness boost.

If you are targeting a specific problem and want the best possible results, then a higher strength (more concentrated MGO levels) product is best.

Learn how to choose the right Manuka honey strength for you.

How to Choose the Right Manuka Honey for You

There’s really only one question that matters when you’re choosing which Manuka honey is right for you: what are you using it for?

If you want a delicious earthy, thick, caramel-like honey to use in food and drink, then lower UMF™ grades or Manuka honeys with ratings that don’t specify their antibacterial potency (like KFactor™) are probably fine for you.

If you want a daily dose of goodness with the assurance of those antibacterial benefits that have made Manuka honey famous, then opt for low-mid range UMF™ grades:

“This product has healed so many things. My cold sore was gone within 24 hours.” 

For a higher concentration of beneficial enzymes, antibacterial and antioxidant potency, check out the mid-high range UMF™ grades:

“It was nothing short of a miracle. The honey took away my heartburn with one teaspoon. It’s delicious and worth every penny. I won’t ever get another kind.”

And for the most premium, scarce Manuka honey on the market, ideal for medical applications (with the approval of your physician), specifically targeted uses, and the greatest antibacterial potency, opt for the top UMF™ grades:

“This Manuka Honey UMF™ 28+ | MGO 1450+ is absolutely exceptional! From the first taste, you can tell it's pure, rich, and high quality. I've been taking it daily, and I feel more energized and overall better. The texture is smooth, and the flavor is intense but delicious.

It’s definitely worth the investment for anyone looking for premium Manuka honey. Highly recommend!”

Read more customer reviews.

Still unsure which grade is right for you?

Take our quick and easy quiz.

Suggested Articles

The Most Trusted Grading Standard: UMF™ Manuka Honey from New Zealand Honey Co.

At New Zealand Honey Co., we were never going to be satisfied with simply telling you that our Manuka honey is authentic, pure, and of the highest quality.

We are committed to radical transparency. That’s why we have our honeys independently tested and UMF™ graded, so you can trust that every jar is the real deal.

We also ensure that our honey is glyphosate free, non-GMO, Kosher, Halal, and packaged in recyclable jars that will keep your honey fresh for longer. Plus, you can trace every batch to the source and discover where in New Zealand’s wild, rugged landscapes your Manuka honey was sourced.

Why settle for less than the best?

“I love this Manuka Honey! I’ve tried many different companies and prefer NZHC the best. They help you decide which Manuka is best based on what you will use it for. I am using mine internally and externally and it has exceeded my expectations. Very high quality!”

Shop the range.

Suggested further reading:

Sources:

¹ Unique Manuka Factor™, UMF™.

² KFactor™, Wedderspoon.

³ An updated review of the functional ingredients of Manuka honey, National Library of Medicine.

Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.

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