EDUCATION

What Is Manuka Honey?

EDUCATION

14 minute read

Essential Takeaways

Manuka honey is a type of honey produced by the European honeybee in New Zealand using the nectar of the mānuka bush.

Until the 1980s, Manuka honey wasn’t considered particularly special. Following the groundbreaking research of Dr. Peter Molan at the University of Waikato, who discovered its unique and significant non-peroxide antibacterial activity, the interest in Manuka honey exploded.

Today, it is one of the most coveted, expensive, and scarce honeys in the world. Studies have researched it for wounds, infections, brain health, fertility, and even cancer. So here’s an overview of what Manuka honey is and what makes it special.

Disclaimer: Statements within this email have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. New Zealand Honey Co. products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or injury. Any information provided is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with a healthcare professional.

Manuka honey is honey produced by bees that forage nectar from the mānuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium).

Just a few short decades ago, Manuka honey wasn’t considered to be anything special.

But since Peter Molan’s research at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, in the 1980s, it has become a household name with an impressive global reputation for health and wellness.

Why? What is Manuka honey exactly, and how has it earned such a name for itself? Here, we’ll explore these questions along with some of the other most common queries surrounding Manuka honey.

In the guide to what is Manuka honey:

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is a type of honey. It’s made by the Apis mellifera (European) honeybee with mānuka nectar from the mānuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), hence its name.

Although the plant Leptospermum scoparium is found in both New Zealand and Australia, the name mānuka originates from the name given to this plant in New Zealand’s indigenous language, Te Reo Māori.

The shrub was used for medicinal purposes by indigenous Māori people throughout New Zealand long before British settlers brought the bees responsible for the honey we know today¹.

In fact, they referred to the mānuka plant as a taonga, or treasure, thanks to its incredibly versatile healing properties¹ .

These days, the properties of Manuka honey are known far and wide thanks to a growing body of scientific research, which started in the 1980s and continues to this day. Prior to that, Manuka honey wasn’t considered anything particularly special.

“Throughout most of the 1900s, the product was ignored in favor of wildflower-derived alternatives. An international market failed to materialize.

This changed in 1980, when Dr. Peter Molan—a noted New Zealand biochemist—confirmed the antibacterial properties unique to the nectar produced from this particular plant. (Its healing properties had already been known in traditional Maori medicine.)”

As of 2022, the Manuka honey industry was estimated to be worth just shy of US$500 million³.

But why? What’s in Manuka honey that makes it so revered? Let’s find out.

Read more about the story of Manuka honey from New Zealand.

SHOP REAL RAW MANUKA

The Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

So, what is Manuka honey’s secret? Is it really good for you?

Many honeys produce a compound called hydrogen peroxide.

 ‘Peroxide activity’ is associated with antibacterial benefits, and people often take honey to help with colds, allergies, and various other medical complaints with some success.

However, peroxide activity breaks down over time⁵. So if your regular store-bought honey is sitting on the shelf for a while, its beneficial properties slowly diminish.

Manuka honey, on the other hand, is unique because it offers antibacterial benefits even when this peroxide activity is restricted, reduced, or blocked⁵. This is referred to as ‘non-peroxide activity’ or NPA. It is thought to be the result of a combination of unique compounds found in Manuka honey, the most famous of which is methylglyoxal (MGO).

NPA doesn’t break down in Manuka honey. Studies have found that it may actually get stronger, thanks to a compound called Dihydroxyacetone converting to MGO over time⁵.

So Manuka honey has been shown to contain higher concentrations of antibacterial properties, which may increase even whilst sitting in the jar.

As a result, research into the uses of Manuka honey has exploded across the world, investigating its application in everything from human and veterinary medicine to skincare, haircare and beyond.

Let’s take a quick tour of some of these applications.

Manuka honey in medicine

Manuka honey has shown promise in a range of medical contexts thanks to its unique naturally occurring compounds.

“Accumulated in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies have demonstrated that Manuka honey exhibited multiple biological activities, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer and wound healing properties.”

  • An updated review of functional ingredients of Manuka honey and their value-added innovations, 2024 review⁶.

From helping to promote healing in wounds, burns, and other skin conditions to supporting brain health, providing activity for some types of cancer, immunity, energy, weight loss, arthritis, and even fertility and sex drive, studies into medical uses for Manuka honey are varied and growing.

With antibacterial resistance on the rise and an increase in public awareness and appetite for natural alternatives, the time is ripe for medicinal Manuka honey.

“We LOVE this honey and won't live without it! We use it mostly medicinally. Anytime we start feeling a cold or flu coming on we start dosing and usually in a couple days we are back to par.”

Read more about some of the ways that Manuka honey is being used for health and wellness purposes.

Manuka honey in veterinary care

It’s not just doctors who have cottoned onto the potential of Manuka honey in medicine. Vets use it too.

Prescribing Manuka honey is a common occurrence amongst the equine community as horses are particularly susceptible to difficult skin conditions and infected wounds⁷.

As an affordable and readily available remedy, vets might recommend that pet owners have Manuka honey in their pantry for cats and dogs, too.

“I bought this to heal a wound on my dog's leg. I can hardly believe how promptly and perfectly it healed. He had a two inch incision from a cyst removal and he was able to maneuver around his soft cone and get the stitches out, leaving a quarter inch gap on his hind leg joint. It was infected.

My vet recommended this and we applied it three times a day and a week later he is all healed.”

Manuka honey in skincare

As well as being antibacterial, Manuka honey has humectant and emollient properties⁸. In practice, this means that it may clean and clear irritated areas of skin, keep out bacteria, and hold in moisture.

This is beneficial for all sorts of skin issues, from more serious wounds to acne and eczema.

It’s easy to create your own Manuka honey skincare at home.

Here are some of our favourite recipes:

“I recently had a cancerous skin lesion burned and scraped off my face. The first week afterwards seemed to go well until the wound became infected.

I switched to cleansing with sterile saline and applying manuka honey. Turned it around 180 deg. I am healing well, faster than was anticipated. All due to this manuka honey!!!!”

Manuka honey in haircare

Just as honey has been found effective for the skin and face⁹, it also helps to hydrate and potentially support natural healing of the scalp¹⁰.

Its humectant (moisture locking) properties have shown promise against dandruff, and it is sometimes used in shampoo and conditioner formulas⁹.

Our favourite way to use Manuka honey, however, is in homemade hair masks. By topically applying honey to the scalp, you can really target the areas that need a little extra TLC.

“My hair is thicker and shining.”

“I think Manuka honey is wonderful. I’ve noticed a difference in my hair and my skin…”

Check out these hair mask recipes that you can make at home.

Manuka honey in general health and wellness

Our customers use Manuka honey for all sorts of different health and wellness needs. Here’s a brief snapshot of some of their feedback.

“This honey is a miracle! I was eating one spoon every morning and I could see how my immune system rebuilt and get stronger only after 2 weeks. I am already on my second jar and it feels amazing! Also taste incredible!”

“Outstanding quality. I’ve been always a huge fan of honey. This brand and this quality is exceptional! The flavor, color, smell, consistency and the results of benefits are endless! Within a week I already started to see improvement in my overall being! Love it!”

“Loved this honey. If you can afford it - totally recommend it. I really liked it and felt like it helped with digestion and overall health. I had it with my tea in the morning.”

There are so many ways you can use Manuka honey.

In fact, we’ve made a list with over 170 right here.

SHOP REAL RAW MANUKA

Why is Manuka Honey Expensive?

We’ve explored the incredible reputation that Manuka honey has earned worldwide for its versatile health and wellness benefits.

This is one of the reasons that it has a higher price tag than other honey types. But it’s not the only reason.

Authentic, high-quality Manuka honey can only be produced in particular locations in New Zealand with specific weather conditions and within a mere 2-8 weeks out of the year¹¹.

Everything from soil quality, climate and temperature, to bee health can impact a harvest, making this coveted honey very scarce on the global stage.

To add to this, beekeepers must extract the honey with the greatest care, speed, and efficiency as possible to protect the bees and minimise impact.

Independent grading systems exist specifically to protect the integrity of genuine Manuka honey that comes from such an intensive yet delicate production process. By opting for UMF™ certified Manuka honey, you can rest assured that you’re getting the real deal and supporting the most trustworthy producers at the same time.

Read more about why Manuka honey is expensive.

How Can You Tell Real Manuka Honey?

Luckily, Manuka honey is the most regulated honey in the world.

There is a grading system that you can trust, which independently tests batches of Manuka honey and looks for key chemical markers that verify its authenticity, antibacterial potency, and freshness.

The UMF™ grading system only grades pure, raw, and fresh monofloral Manuka honey produced and packaged in New Zealand.

Why does this matter? Honey has a global reputation for health and wellness, which has caused its demand to outgrow the supply.

As a result, it is one of the most faked foods in the world.

A lot of the honey you find on grocery store shelves will look clean, clear, and runny - like honey, right? Well, not really. Honey doesn’t look like that when it’s harvested. Most of the time, it’s thick, opaque, and might contain a bit of pollen.

Honey can be heated, filtered, filtered again, and diluted down with other sugars to extend the supply and make it look more commercial.

Unfortunately, what you’re often left with is a cocktail of sugars with very little nutritional value.

Studies that investigate the benefits of honey will typically use a product that is as close to its natural state in the hive as possible. That’s the good stuff.

It’s pure, raw, and often monofloral (only from one floral source).

By opting for UMF™ certified Manuka honey, you can be sure that you’re getting the real deal.

Learn more about how to tell if your honey is pure.

What Does Manuka Honey Taste Like?

The flavour of Manuka honey varies slightly between grades.

We use a sliding scale on our product pages from ‘clean and sweet’ to ‘bold and intense’ so that you can choose the best jar for your taste.

Manuka is generally considered less sweet than other honey types, with an earthier flavour that becomes more bitter the higher the UMF™ grade. It is often thick and caramel-like in its colour and texture, with the highest grades embodying more of a medicinal and somewhat bitter taste.

“It’s unlike any other honey out there. Every spoonful delivers a taste of New Zealand's pristine landscapes and the unique flora that gives this honey its distinct character.”

Get more detailed descriptions of how each UMF™ grade tastes in our dedicated guide.

What is the Best Manuka Honey Strength?

The best Manuka honey for you depends on what you want to use it for.

If you’re after a delicious honey with a thick, caramel-like texture and flavour, with earthy notes and a light sweetness, lower grades will suit you well:

If you want a daily dose of natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties to help keep colds and illnesses at bay, then the low- to mid-range grades should be sufficient.

If you are looking for highly potent, medicinal grades of Manuka honey for more targeted conditions or a bigger dose of the good stuff, opt for the high grades:

And for the super premium, ultra-scarce and topline Manuka honey on the market, with unparalleled antibacterial activity and a distinct, earthy, bitter flavour, try:

We have a few tools to help you choose the right Manuka honey for you.

This dedicated guide breaks down the best strength of Manuka honey by use.

This quick and easy quiz will help you make your final choice.

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When Shouldn’t You Use Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is safe for most healthy adults and children over a year old. This may vary, however, based on your individual needs and any medical conditions.

Infants should never be given honey. Before turning one, our digestion is not developed enough to process the naturally-occurring bacteria that can be carried in certain foods. Adults can flush these out without any problem, but it can cause botulism in babies.

People with allergies to bees or pollen should seek medical advice before eating raw honey if they’ve never tried it before.

People with diabetes can enjoy honey as part of their diet, but they may need to consult their doctor for ways to safely manage the extra sugar intake, or advice on what to substitute.

People with conditions that compromise their immune system may also want to seek medical advice before introducing raw honey to their diet. In many cases, they will be able to safely enjoy the benefits of honey, but the risk of bacteria should be identified and managed.

Our Top 3 Manuka Honey Tips

Here at New Zealand Honey Co., we’re passionate about Manuka honey and the incredible impact it has had on many of our customers’ lives.

So here are our top tips for getting the very best out of your Manuka honey, however you plan to use it.

  1. Choose the right grade for your needs and budget

It might be tempting to opt for the highest grade of Manuka honey to get the best possible results. And if this makes sense for your needs and budget, that’s great!

But you may not need to jump straight to the top of the ladder. For everyday use and to help keep things like colds and allergies at bay, lower UMF™ grades still provide a good dose of natural wellness.

We have a dedicated guide to help you choose which grade is right for you, as well as a fun and quick quiz.

  1. Store your Manuka honey correctly

To keep those beneficial properties intact (and potentially growing), and to prevent your honey from crystallising, it’s important that you store it correctly.  

Our jars are designed to keep your honey fresh for longer. Keep them airtight and stored in a pantry, away from sunlight or the fridge. If you don’t use your honey often, give it an occasional stir to avoid the water separating from the sugar and turning to crystals.

If your honey starts to crystallise, don’t worry - that’s a sign of purity! And we have a dedicated guide to softening your honey the right way without losing its benefits here.

  1. Take care when cooking with it to keep those beneficial properties

The active and antibacterial enzymes in Manuka honey are sensitive to heat. If the temperature of the honey rises too far above the natural temperature of the hive (37℃/98.6℉), they will diminish.

Manuka honey is delicious to cook with. But if you want to keep its potency, then add the honey before serving or to cold dishes instead.

We have a dedicated guide to cooking with Manuka honey so that you can enjoy it without losing the good stuff.

Skip the Hassle with New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey

Here at New Zealand Honey Co., we only deal with real.

Our UMF™ certified Manuka honeys are independently tested and verified as pure, raw, fresh, and monofloral, produced and packaged exclusively in New Zealand.

Our honey is also non-GMO, glyphosate free, Halal, Kosher, and packaged in sustainable, recyclable packaging.

If you’re looking for one powerful natural superfood with 2000+ active compounds, then you’ve found it.

Shop the range here.

Still unsure which grade is right for you?

Take the quiz here.

Suggested further reading:

Sources:

¹ The history of NZ Manuka honey, New Zealand Honey Co.

² The wild story of Manuka, the world’s most coveted honey, AFAR.

³ Manuka honey market, Polaris Market Research.

⁴ Manuka, Kew.

⁵ DHA and MGO: the most common testing in Manuka honey, Analytica NZ.

⁶ An updated review of the functional ingredients of Manuka honey, Science Direct.

⁷ Manuka honey for horses, New Zealand Honey Co.

⁸ What is the best Manuka honey for acne, New Zealand Honey Co.

⁹ Honey in dermatology and skincare, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

¹⁰ Manuka honey hair mask, New Zealand Honey Co.

¹¹ Why is Manuka honey expensive? New Zealand Honey Co.

 

Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.

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