Mānuka's Superpowers

7 Lesser-Known Facts About Manuka Honey

Michael Bell

Published at: July 17, 2023
Updated at: September 27, 2024

6 minutes

Executive Summary:

Manuka honey derives from the Manuka tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand and that only blooms between two to six weeks per year.
MGO is the nutrient responsible for many beneficial properties of Manuka honey and gives way to its fame across the globe.
Manuka honey can support health and wellness in various ways.
This delightful and delicious golden liquid can be enjoyed in many different ways, such as eating it by the spoonful or drizzled on toast.
Manuka honey has a lengthy shelf life, largely thanks to its beneficial nutrients containing antibacterial properties.

Manuka Honey Facts: 7 Lesser-Known Truths

Sweet, tasty, all-natural, and capable of supporting your overall health, Manuka honey is a true unicorn of honey variants. Pure Manuka honey is delicious on its own and a great addition to a variety of foods, and when produced using high-quality practices, this product is unlike any other.

From the unique, creamy caramel texture of Manuka honey to the powerful properties and nutrient-related benefits, there are several reasons why you’ll want to make this super honey part of your everyday routine. So, let's take a closer look.

Surprising Facts About Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is more than just a sweet treat—it has plenty of surprising qualities that make it superior to any other honey. Below, we look closer at seven Manuka honey facts that will leave you searching for the nearest jar you can get your hands on!

Fact 1: Manuka honey has a unique origin.

Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. Bees make Manuka honey by collecting nectar and pollen from the Manuka tea tree flower. The highest quality Manuka honey comes from a region called the Golden Triangle in New Zealand where plenty of Manuka tea trees can be found.

The best Manuka honey is 100% traceable and produced exclusively from the remote Manuka forests in New Zealand. For example, when you purchase Manukora honey, you can check the origin of your batch by scanning the unique code found on each of our products. Using independent sequencing, we prove the origin of every product we sell, ensuring you receive authentic, raw Manuka honey from the best locations.

Fact 2: Manuka honey has a bioactive nutrient called Methylglyoxal (MGO).

If you haven’t heard of methylglyoxal (MGO) before, you’ll be excited to learn more about its impressive powers. Methylglyoxal is a nutrient found uniquely in Manuka honey that offers several potential benefits.

Methylglyoxal is known as a power compound because it has antibacterial and soothing properties for the body. In fact, many of the potential benefits of Manuka honey are a direct result of its MGO content.

Fact 3: MGO rating is the key to Manuka honey’s potency.

Not all Manuka honey is the same, and the easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the honey’s MGO rating. This rating indicates the MGO content in a given batch of honey. Since MGO is the key to Manuka honey’s antibacterial powers, this rating highlights the potency of the honey and the power of the potential benefits it has to offer. The higher the rating, the higher the potency.

At Manukora, we offer multiple types of honey, with MGO ratings from 200 to over 1000. Every batch of our honey is tested by third-party laboratories, which you can access through our QR trace platform on each product.

Fact 4: Manuka honey's nutrients give way to several wellness benefits.

Manuka honey contains several nutrients that support overall health. For instance, the nutrients in Manuka honey have well-known antibacterial properties. This special honey variant also has unique antioxidants not found in other forms of honey, helping to support your health and immunity.

Other potential health benefits from the nutrients of Manuka honey include:

Supporting a normal, high-functioning immune system
Promoting a healthy gut and digestive system
Serving as a natural source of energy and antioxidants

Fact 5: There are many ways to enjoy Manuka honey.

You may run to try Manuka honey for its impressive nutrient profile, but its sweet, caramel-like taste will keep you coming back for more. This type of honey has a creamy texture with a rich flavor, making it a sensory experience unlike any typical honey.

Even better, Manuka honey is incredibly versatile, so there are many ways that you can add it to your day. Some ways you can use Manuka honey include:

Eating it by the spoonful.
Adding it to your tea or favorite beverage.
Drizzling it over a piece of peanut butter toast.
Topping your ice cream with it.
Adding it to your smoothies.
Mixing it in with your favorite yogurt or oatmeal.
Substituting it for maple syrup.

There is no wrong way to enjoy Manuka honey, so use it in a way that works for you and brings you the most joy. Just avoid exposing it to excessive heat, such as baking or BBQ, which can degrade certain bioactive properties.

Fact 6: Manuka honey has a long shelf-life.

The anti-bacterial properties of Manuka honey have more benefits than just being great for your health—they also mean that you don’t have to worry about your honey spoiling anytime soon.

For example, our Manukora honey has a five-year “best before” date. It actually lasts far longer than that, but regulations require us to put a date on it. Although, the excellent taste means you’ll finish it long before then. With such a long shelf-life, Manuka honey allows you to stock up without worrying about how its quality will hold up over time.

To preserve this long shelf-life, be sure to keep the honey jar tightly sealed, use a clean spoon to avoid contamination, and keep the honey at a temperature between 67 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fact 7: Manuka honey and Ethical Beekeeping go hand-in-hand.

As with any form of honey, bees are a vital part of producing rich and tasty Manuka honey. However, not all Manuka honey is produced the same way. To create pure Manuka honey, bees only collect nectar and pollen from the Manuka tea tree flower.

A foundational pillar for us at Manukora is to care for the bees and elevate the standards of beekeeping. We go to great lengths to support the health and well-being of the bees that produce our honey by following ethical beekeeping practices, protecting the natural environment, and avoiding all harmful toxins and chemicals such as glyphosate.

Experience the Superpowers of Manuka Honey for Yourself

The taste of Manuka honey alone is enough to want to make it part of your day, but learning more about the lesser-known facts behind it is even more reason to try this impressive honey. Between the versatility of Manuka honey and the potential health benefits of its nutrients, it's an excellent addition to any daily routine.

The unique grades of Manuka honey, such as the potent Manuka Honey MGO 600 (UMF 16) or the ultra-rich Manuka Honey UMF 24 (MGO1123), can elevate your experience. For those new to Manuka honey, starting with something like Manuka Honey MGO 200 is a great introduction. Additionally, exploring our insightful July Sweet Talks with Manukora can deepen your understanding of this unique honey. Our carefully curated Trending Products and Botanicals collections offer a diverse range of options to fit any lifestyle. Lastly, learn about integrating Manuka honey into your wellness routine in our article on ACV & Manuka Wellness, where the fusion of traditional and modern health practices shines.

At Manukora, we follow careful practices to ensure you get the best, purest possible product. The combination of an indulgent taste and multiple potential health benefits truly make Manukora a super honey.

Explore our complete collection of Manuka honey and experience all the benefits of a Honey With Superpowers™ for yourself.