Ever heard of honey with superpowers? Manuka honey, straight from the nectar of New Zealand’s Manuka bush, is more than just a sweet treat. People talk about its amazing abilities to help with everything from sore throats to skin troubles. It’s not your average honey from the local grocery store.
But here’s the tricky part: picking the right one can feel like navigating a maze. You see labels with mysterious numbers like “UMF” and “MGO.” What do those mean? Are you getting the real deal, or just expensive regular honey? Understanding these ratings is key to unlocking the true benefits, and many people feel confused and unsure about where to spend their money.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes Manuka honey special, explain those tricky labels simply, and show you how to choose the best jar for your needs. Get ready to learn how to shop smart and finally enjoy the real power of authentic Manuka honey.
Top Manuka Honey Recommendations
- More than honey: Manuka Health’s MGO 400+ Manuka Honey is a versatile and potent superfood with powerful natural properties that support you on your journey to holistic wellness
- Quality you can taste: Our raw and unpasteurized honey offers a uniquely rich, creamy texture and an aromatic, yet earthy sweetness for you to savor
- The magic of Manuka honey: Beyond drizzling on foods as a delicious spread or wholefood sweetener, Manuka honey can be used for skincare treatments, as a digestive soother, and for a natural pre- or post-workout boost
- Tested and certified: Our Manuka honey is triple tested to measure MGO (methylglyoxal) levels and is UMF-certified so you can trust you’re only getting authentic, high-quality Manuka honey at your desired potency level
- 100% New Zealand origin: Each jar of Manuka honey is made, tested and sealed right here in New Zealand; each jar is fully traceable back to the beekeeper, with a QR code on the lid linking you to your honey’s origin, potency and quality credentials
- PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND MANUKA HONEY — MGO 50+: Harvested from pristine Manuka forests in New Zealand, this raw, monofloral Manuka honey contains naturally occurring MGO 50+. Smooth and versatile, it supports gentle daily wellness, natural energy, and everyday balance — perfect as an introduction to authentic Manuka honey.
- DAILY SUPER HONEY FOR WELLNESS SUPPORT: More than a sweetener — this bioactive Manuka honey brings everyday support for immune health, digestion, and steady energy. A delicious way to elevate your daily routine.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED & B-CORP CERTIFIED: Manukora honey is harvested in small batches with deep respect for the land and our bees. B-Corp Certified, Non-GMO, glyphosate residue free, and crafted using regenerative beekeeping practices.
- VERIFIED AUTHENTIC MANUKA — FULL TRACEABILITY: Scan the QR code on your jar to trace your honey to its single-origin source and view purity test results — your guarantee of genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.
- SMOOTH, CREAMY & MADE FOR EVERYDAY USE: This mellow, velvety honey is perfect on toast, oatmeal, tea, yogurt, or straight from the spoon. Praised by customers worldwide with dedicated 1:1 care from our New Zealand team.
- CERTIFIED UMF 12+ RATING: Raw and certified Manuka honey with UMF 12+ rating and MGO 354+ methylglyoxal content, ensuring authentic quality and potency
- PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND ORIGIN: Sourced from the nectar of Manuka flowers in the pristine and remote forests of New Zealand, crafted by beekeepers for exceptional quality
- NATURAL BENEFICIAL COMPOUNDS: Contains natural enzymes, prebiotics, and plant compounds like MGO (Methylglyoxal) that contribute to its unique properties and potency
- MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS: World's most certified Manuka honey with UMF certification, MGO guaranteed, Certified B-Corp, and tested by internationally accredited laboratories
- VERSATILE DAILY USE: Perfect for daily wellness boost - naturally sweeten tea or coffee, drizzle over yogurt or granola, or enjoy by the spoonful. Net weight 17.6 oz (500g)
- Boost Your Energy - A spoonful a day, delicious in marinades, to sweeten tea and versatile enough to use for topical skin treatment
- Hive to Home: Our multifloral manuka honey is carefully sourced and processed from harvest to your home
- 100% Pure New Zealand Honey: Every batch of Manuka Doctor honey is authenticated as a Product of New Zealand. Harvested, packed & tested in New Zealand to meet NZ Government Requirements. Our natural honey is also non-GMO, raw and MGO 30+
- Convenient No Mess-No Fuss: Avoid drips and sticky spills with our no-drip Squeeze Bottle. Manuka Honey is nature’s superfoods. Taste-wise, Manuka Honey is darker, thicker, richer, and creamier than regular Squeezy bear honey. Add some Manuka to your everyday routine
- Wellbeeing and Natural Sweetness: Manuka Doctor raw honey is supercharged, functional nutrition that gives a natural boost to your wellbeeing and energy. Perfect in tea or smoothies, drizzled over muesli, on waffles or on a slice of toast
- Your Manuka Expert: Manuka Doctor is the raw Manuka Honey expert with over 300 million bees, 10,000 beehives, 20 beekeepers and its own extraction and packing facility. Giving you confidence that you are buying 100% real New Zealand Manuka Honey
- Manuka Honey - Essential Vitality - Your health is important. This high grade Manuka Honey UMF 20+ is packed with nutrients and essential vitality to help you live your best life. It’s more than just a premium food supplement or skincare aide, it’s a way to help you achieve enhanced wellbeing. Try it today and find out why people keep coming back for more.
- PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND MANUKA HONEY — MGO 50+: Harvested from pristine Manuka forests in New Zealand, this raw, monofloral Manuka honey contains naturally occurring MGO 50+. Smooth and versatile, it supports gentle daily wellness, natural energy, and everyday balance — perfect as an introduction to authentic Manuka honey.
- DAILY SUPER HONEY FOR WELLNESS SUPPORT: More than a sweetener — this bioactive Manuka honey brings everyday support for immune health, digestion, and steady energy. A delicious way to elevate your daily routine.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED & B-CORP CERTIFIED: Manukora honey is harvested in small batches with deep respect for the land and our bees. B-Corp Certified, Non-GMO, glyphosate residue free, and crafted using regenerative beekeeping practices.
- VERIFIED AUTHENTIC MANUKA — FULL TRACEABILITY: Scan the QR code on your jar to trace your honey to its single-origin source and view purity test results — your guarantee of genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.
- SMOOTH, CREAMY & MADE FOR EVERYDAY USE: This mellow, velvety honey is perfect on toast, oatmeal, tea, yogurt, or straight from the spoon. Praised by customers worldwide with dedicated 1:1 care from our New Zealand team.
- Manuka Honey – Our premium Raw Manuka Honey is harvested from the wild landscapes of New Zealand and known for its powerful and active properties. New Zealand Honey Co. has an international reputation for providing the finest natural Manuka Honey since 2006.
- Supercharge Your Food – Boost your everyday food with our Manuka honey or just take a spoonful a day. Our UMF 15+ / MGO 514+ is a perfect partner to many foods; wellness shakes and drinks, muesli, marinades. It is also great for natural skincare.
- 100% New Zealand Made – All our Honey is foraged, harvested, packed and tested in New Zealand, all our batches are independently tested, meaning you can be completely sure what you receive is 100% genuine, as stated on the jar
- UMF Certified – We are a member of the UMF honey association; this means that our honey meets strict grading criteria and what is stated on the label is guaranteed at a minimum. The UMF honey association certification provides confidence that the Manuka honey you are purchasing is 100% authentic. Testing certificates are available for every jar.
- Sustainable Source – Manuka is an indigenous tree of New Zealand and can only be sourced from our unique and beautiful country. Our Manuka honey is an organic, natural living food meaning it still contains all the natural pollens and enzymes as it is the original sweet liquid produced by the bees. Our jars are PETE recyclable and BPA free.
The Sweet Spot: Your Ultimate Manuka Honey Buying Guide
Manuka honey is special. People love it for its unique taste and powerful benefits. This guide helps you pick the best jar for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you buy Manuka honey, look closely at the label. You need to find special numbers that show its strength.
Understanding UMF and MGO
These ratings are very important. They tell you how much of the special stuff is in the honey.
- UMF (Unique Manuka Factor): This is a common rating system. Higher numbers mean stronger honey. A UMF of 10+ is good for daily use. UMF 15+ or 20+ is better for stronger support.
- MGO (Methylglyoxal): This measures the main active compound. More MGO means more power. Look for MGO levels like 250+, 400+, or even higher.
Always check that the brand uses a trusted grading system like UMF or MGO. Unrated honey might just be regular honey.
Important Materials and Origin
The source of your honey matters a lot.
Where Does It Come From?
Real Manuka honey comes only from New Zealand. Bees collect nectar from the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium). Check the label to ensure it says “Product of New Zealand.” This confirms its origin.
Texture and Appearance
Good Manuka honey is usually thick. It is often creamy or gel-like, not runny like table honey. The color can range from pale cream to dark amber. A strong, earthy smell is normal for high-grade Manuka.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way honey is handled affects its strength.
What Makes It Better?
- Higher UMF/MGO Rating: As mentioned, higher numbers mean better quality for specific uses.
- Raw and Unpasteurized: Look for honey labeled “raw.” Raw honey keeps all its natural enzymes and goodness because it hasn’t been heated too much.
What Lowers the Quality?
Heat ruins the good parts of honey. Pasteurization (heating to kill germs) lowers the beneficial activity. Also, watch out for honey blended with cheaper syrups. This dilutes the Manuka effect.
User Experience and Use Cases
How people use Manuka honey changes what they should buy.
Daily Wellness
For general health, many people take one spoonful daily. A mid-range UMF (like 10+) works well for this. You can stir it into warm (not boiling!) tea or spread it on toast.
Targeted Support
If you are using it for specific skin issues or intense wellness support, you need a higher UMF (15+ or 20+). Some people apply this thick honey directly to minor cuts or scrapes as a protective layer. Always test a small area first.
Remember, Manuka honey is expensive. Only buy what you need. Don’t waste the expensive, high-grade jars on just sweetening your coffee.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Buying Manuka Honey
Q: Is Manuka honey safe for children?
A: No. Like all honey, Manuka honey should never be given to babies under one year old due to the risk of infant botulism.
Q: How should I store my Manuka honey?
A: Store it in a cool, dark place, like a pantry cupboard. Keep the lid tightly closed. Do not put it in the refrigerator, as this makes it very hard.
Q: Can I cook or bake with high-grade Manuka honey?
A: You should avoid it. High heat destroys the beneficial compounds. Use lower-grade honey for cooking, or just drizzle the good stuff on food after it has cooled.
Q: What does “non-GMO” mean on the label?
A: It means the bees were gathering nectar from plants that were not genetically modified. This is a sign of purity for many buyers.
Q: How do I know if my Manuka honey is fake?
A: Check for the official UMF or MGO certification logos on the jar. Legitimate brands provide traceability information.
Q: What is the difference between UMF and MGO?
A: MGO measures one specific chemical. UMF measures MGO plus other key markers, making it a more comprehensive quality guarantee.
Q: Does Manuka honey ever expire?
A: Real, pure honey lasts a very long time if stored correctly. It might crystallize, but it usually remains safe to eat for years.
Q: What should I do if my honey crystallizes?
A: Crystallization is natural. Gently place the jar in a bowl of warm water (not hot) until it softens back to its creamy state.
Q: Is Manuka honey the same as raw honey?
A: No. All good Manuka honey should be raw, but not all raw honey is Manuka honey. Manuka is defined by its source and special compounds.
Q: Can I use Manuka honey for my sore throat?
A: Yes. Its thick texture coats the throat, and many people find relief by taking a spoonful when they feel scratchy.