New Zealand Manuka comes only from the leptosperum
More is more: Australia's unmatchable variety of Manuka
The diversity of Australia's Manuka trees is vastly superior to New Zealand. Australia is home to 83 species of Manuka, 12 of which have bioactive, medicinal properties, making them ideal for high-MGO Manuka production. In comparison, New Zealand has only one.
Honey products are permitted into most Australian states and territories. Honey products must be inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival, to confirm the honey items are free from contamination. Items that do not meet these conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer's expense.
Manuka honey is more expensive than most other honey because it is rare and only produced in Australia and New Zealand. The flowers the bees collect the nectar from, to make Manuka honey are from the Leptospermum family, which is native to Australia. Farming Manuka honey costs more to produce than other honeys.
Manuka honey is a specific variety of honey that originates from New Zealand and Australia. It is made by bees that get their nectar from flowers from the Manuka bush, which is indigenous to New Zealand. The difference between Australian and New Zealand honey stems from the plant the honey is made from.
New Zealand Manuka comes only from the leptosperum scoparium plant, commonly known as the Manuka plant, while Australian manuka can come from any plant in the leptosperum species. Since research studies tend to focus on New Zealand manuka, it isn't appropriate to extend that research to Australian manuka.
Manuka honey is most commonly found in New Zealand, though Australia has a few producers of this unique sweetener as well. If you come across honey that's labeled as Manuka but not from New Zealand or Australia, it's probably best to steer clear.
When it comes to the anti-bacterial health benefits of honey, these are measured using a NPA (non-peroxide activity) rating, where 5+ is the lowest strength and 20+ is the best. Aldi's honey has a 5+ rating.
Best Overall – Manukora Raw Manuka Honey
Manukora Raw Manuka Honey is our top pick. This Manuka honey comes in many different levels of purity, which allows you to calibrate both your potency and find a manuka that works for your budget. We especially like the high level of traceability the brand offers.
Manuka honey, favoured for its medicinal qualities, is produced from the nectar of different species of leptospermum plants, which are native to both Australia and New Zealand.
In New Zealand, it is called Mānuka, in Australia, it is more commonly known as Tea Tree, but the word Manuka (without a macron, which is used to indicate a long vowel) has been in common use in Tasmania for at least 100 years.
Honey that carries the AMHA's Mark of Authenticity must be pure, natural Manuka honey, produced entirely in Australia, and be tested by an independent, approved laboratory to ensure it meets minimum standards of naturally occurring methylglyoxal (MGO), and dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
Malfroy's Gold honey is top of the class. Tim Malfroy produces some of the world's best honey in the pristine world heritage Blue Mountains of Australia.
Australia's Manuka MGO 850+ medical grade TGA approved honey is a superior honey with bioactive properties suitable for wound care. Suitable for the treatment of minor cuts, abrasions and burns.
Manuka honey is expensive because it only comes from New Zealand. The high price of Manuka is largely due to its limited supply. Authentic Manuka honey only comes from New Zealand.
The number rating on both UMF and MGO rated honey indicated the concentration of methylglyoxal content in that batch of honey. The higher the number, the higher the concentration of methylglyoxal.
Is manuka honey worth the money? Manuka honey is worth the cost if you're looking for the health benefits that have made it famous. With its high levels of antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, manuka honey is used in foods, skincare, and medicine throughout the world.
Manuka honey may treat inflammatory skin conditions, heal wounds, and improve oral health. Do not use manuka honey if you have diabetes, an allergy to bees, or are under the age of one.
Is manuka honey safe for everyone? Honey is safe for most adults however, it must be avoided if you are allergic to honey or bees. Those with diabetes also need to be careful around their blood sugar levels when consuming manuka honey, as it is high in sugar.
1. New Zealand Honey Co. Dash of Butter raves about this brand above all others: “Having conducted a deep dive into 15 other leading brands of Manuka and purchasing over 6 of them, New Zealand Manuka Honey is the realist of the real and proved to be orders of magnitude better than the rest in both taste and nutrients.”
UMF is an indicator of quality and purity of mānuka honey. MGO stands for methylglyoxal, the naturally occurring compound that makes mānuka honey so unique. An MGO rating is a standardised measure of methyglyoxal content and is an indicator of quality.
The rating system for Manuka honey is rather complex and several different systems can be used, including UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor) and MGO (Methylglyoxal). UMF™ is the strictest and highest graded Manuka honey measurement system.