EDUCATION
Can You Eat Manuka Honey? Is Manuka Honey Edible?
7 minutes
Essential Takeaways
Manuka honey isn’t just something you spread on toast. It’s an edible, safe, and highly sought-after type of honey enjoyed around the world.
But not all Manuka honey is created equal. Food fraud is a real issue, and overprocessing can strip honey of its natural goodness. That’s why choosing UMF™ certified Manuka honey is essential - it's independently tested for purity, potency, and authenticity.
Manuka honey can be enjoyed daily in moderation and is safe for most people over the age of one. It has a rich, earthy flavour and a thick texture that makes it perfect in everything from smoothies to hot drinks.
You’ve probably seen Manuka honey in the headlines - used in skincare products, wound dressings, and touted as one of New Zealand’s most valuable exports.
But can you actually eat it?
The short answer is yes. Manuka honey isn’t just edible; it’s one of the most sought-after honeys in the world. Beyond its reputation for wellness and helping to remedy a wide range of conditions, it’s enjoyed daily as a natural sweetener and a staple in many households.
Let’s take a closer look.
In this guide to Manuka honey edibility:
Can You Eat Manuka Honey?
Yes - Manuka honey is completely edible. The important distinction is between food-grade Manuka honey, which is what you’ll find in jars for eating, and medical-grade Manuka honey, which is sterilised and used in hospitals for wound care.
When you buy a jar of raw, UMF™ certified Manuka honey, it’s ready to be enjoyed straight from the spoon, stirred into tea, or drizzled over yoghurt.
And while you can technically eat medical-grade Manuka honey, it’s not the best use of this product. For food purposes, we recommend looking for a UMF™ Manuka honey.
Learn more: How Much UMF™ is Enough?
Is Manuka Honey Safe To Eat?
For most adults, the answer is a resounding yes.
Manuka honey is produced from the nectar of the mānuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. Unlike many heavily processed supermarket honeys, UMF™ certified Manuka honey contains no additives, no GMOs, and nothing artificial - just a natural product from hive to jar with minimal processing in between.
Honey has been eaten for thousands of years, and Manuka has been studied since the 1980s for its unique compounds. These include MGO (methylglyoxal), one of the markers that makes it stand out from other honeys.
Further reading: The story of NZ Manuka honey
Manuka Honey Safety For Children And Special Groups
While Manuka honey is safe for most people, there are a few important caveats:
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Infants under 12 months: Honey should never be given to babies, as their digestive systems aren’t developed enough to process certain spores found in raw products (like Clostridium botulinum) that can lead to botulism.
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Children over 1 year: Manuka honey is perfectly safe for kids when taken in moderation. For more info about giving Manuka honey to your young ones, check out our dedicated guide: Manuka honey for children.
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Pregnancy: Generally safe, though it’s always best to check with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure. Side note: Manuka honey is useful for helping to recover from some of the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding - more info here.
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Diabetes: Whilst Manuka honey does contain sugars, it provides a wide range of other benefits and has a lower glycemic index than processed table sugar. So whilst portion control matters to avoid consuming too much sugar at once, Manuka honey is safe for diabetics when enjoyed in moderation. Click here for more info on Manuka honey and diabetes.
- Allergies: It’s rare, but possible for people allergic to bees or pollen to have a reaction to Manuka honey. If this is you, make sure to speak with your healthcare professional before eating Manuka honey.
What Does Manuka Honey Taste Like?
If you’re expecting something light, runny and overly sweet, you may be surprised.
Manuka honey has a bold, earthy flavour with herbal notes and a slight bitterness that sets it apart from everyday supermarket honeys like clover. Its thick, creamy texture makes it feel more indulgent - and it’s a taste that many people quickly fall in love with.
As it’s a natural product, no two batches are the same and the taste of Manuka honey can vary significantly between different UMF™ grades and harvests.
To help you understand what to expect, each product page on our website provides an indication of what it tastes like, so that you can know what you’re getting before buying.
Further reading: What does Manuka honey taste like?
Can I Eat Manuka Honey Every Day?
Yes, you can eat Manuka honey every day - in moderation.
A teaspoon or two daily is common, whether it’s added to a smoothie, stirred into tea, or taken straight from the jar. Many people enjoy Manuka honey as part of their morning routine or when they’re looking for a natural energy boost.
It still contains sugars, so Manuka honey shouldn’t replace a balanced diet. But compared to refined sugar, it offers a more natural alternative with a wide range of other benefits. 1 ingredient - over 2000 natural compounds.
For more details on how much Manuka honey is ideal to take each day, check out this article.
Here are some ways that you can eat Manuka honey in your daily routine:
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Treat yourself to a delicious dessert like this Manuka Honey Brûlée.
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Drizzle Manuka honey over oatmeal or porridge to start your day with a healthy base.
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Stir into yoghurt for a luxurious and gut loving snack.
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Replace refined sugar with Manuka honey in your favourite recipes.
More ideas: 176 ways to use Manuka honey
How to Make Sure Your Manuka Honey is Pure And Genuine
Here’s the challenge: honey is one of the most faked foods in the world.
And Manuka honey is no different. While there are many reliable Manuka honey producers out there (like us), the massive demand for this superfood attracts lots of imposters.
Cheap jars are often diluted with other types of honey or even sugar syrups, or so over-processed that much of their natural goodness is gone. That leaves you with little more than a jar of sugar syrup - sweet, but without the unique taste or wellness qualities.
The solution is UMF™ certification.
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UMF™ is the gold standard for authentic Manuka honey.
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Every certified jar of UMF™ Manuka honey is independently tested in New Zealand for key compounds: MGO, DHA, and Leptosperin.
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Certification guarantees you’re getting real, raw, pure, monofloral Manuka honey, not a blend or fake.
Learn more: How to avoid buying 'fake' Manuka honey
FAQs
Is Manuka honey edible?
Yes, Manuka honey is produced for eating and is enjoyed worldwide as a natural sweetener (among many other uses).
Is Manuka honey safe to eat raw?
Yes. In fact, raw Manuka honey is the best way to enjoy its natural flavour, texture, and health benefits.
Does Manuka honey expire?
Honey doesn’t spoil, but it does carry a best-before date for regulatory purposes. Over time it may crystallise, yet it remains safe to eat. More info here: Does honey go off or expire?
Can you cook or bake with Manuka honey?
Yes, it can replace sugar in cooking and baking. Just be aware that some of the beneficial compounds do break down with heat, so whilst it’s great as a sweetener and delicious flavour addition, you shouldn’t expect cooked Manuka honey to provide the same level of health support. More info here: Can you bake with Manuka honey?
Can I eat Manuka honey every day?
Yes. A teaspoon or two daily is a common (and safe) way people enjoy it.
Is Manuka honey good for sore throats?
Yes. Many people find it soothing when eaten straight from the spoon or stirred into a warm drink. More info here: Why you should use Manuka honey for sore throats.
Why Choosing The Right Manuka Honey Matters
Manuka honey is edible, safe, and delicious - but only when it’s genuine.
Unfortunately, many honeys on the market are diluted or overly processed. That’s why UMF™ certification is so important: it guarantees purity, authenticity, safety, and natural quality.
Our New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka honey is UMF™ certified, glyphosate free, halal, kosher, and sustainably packaged.
Unsure which grade is right for you? Take our quiz.
Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.
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