Is All Manuka Honey Equal? Understanding Quality Differences

Executive Summary

• Not all Manuka honey is the same, and the quality depends on various factors, like the origin, production practices, and harvesting methods.

• Higher quality Manuka honey offers more potential health benefits.

• The MGO rating is a key indicator of Manuka honey’s quality and strength of the bioactives in the honey.

Manuka honey offers many potential health benefits and is a delicious addition to any routine. With so many options available, it is essential to understand the differences in quality, strength, and sourcing. A jar labeled "Manuka honey" does not always guarantee authenticity or effectiveness. Factors such as origin, beekeeping practices, and MGO grading play a critical role in determining whether you are getting a high-quality product or an inferior substitute.

Choosing the right Manuka honey requires a keen eye for details. From its source in the remote forests of New Zealand to the stringent lab tests it undergoes, understanding what sets premium Manuka honey apart ensures that you get the best value for your investment.

This guide will give you an insight into understanding the quality differences of Manuka honey so you can find the right honey to help you elevate your daily routine. 

What Factors Influence the Quality of Manuka Honey?

Several critical factors contribute to the quality and authenticity of Manuka honey: 

The Origin

Authentic Manuka honey is exclusively derived from the nectar of the Manuka tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. The highest quality Manuka honey is produced in remote, pristine forests where bees forage exclusively on Manuka flowers. The limited blooming period of just 2-6 weeks per year adds to its rarity and uniqueness.

The absence of pollution, pesticide exposure, and other contaminants contributes to the purity of the honey. 

Beekeeping and Sustainability

The way honey is harvested and processed directly affects its quality. Ethical and sustainable beekeeping ensures that the honey retains its natural properties while also protecting bee populations. High-quality beekeeping practices include:

• Leaving enough honey for the bees to feed on during winter, preventing starvation and colony stress. 

• Harvesting from remote forests with minimal environmental disturbances. 

• Using low-temperature straining methods to maintain the honey’s natural structure and potency. 

• Avoiding excessive hive movement to keep bees in their natural environment. Ensuring that honey is free from contaminants like glyphosate and pesticides.

By following these ethical methods, beekeepers ensure that every jar of honey remains 100% raw, pure, and rich in beneficial bioactive compounds.

 "Unlike conventional honey, high-quality Manuka honey is minimally processed to retain its full spectrum of bioactive compounds."

Understanding the MGO Grading System

To truly identify the best Manuka honey, you’ll want to understand what the methylglyoxal (MGO) rating is and why it matters. The MGO rating is the primary measurement when considering the quality of a batch of Manuka honey.

MGO (methylglyoxal) is the primary compound responsible for the bioactivity of Manuka honey. The MGO rating on a jar of Manuka honey indicates the concentration of this compound, which determines the honey’s potency.

 It is unique to Manuka, and a higher MGO means higher antibacterial activity.

You can determine the right MGO rating for you with the help of our Manukora MGO quiz. 

How To Identify High-Quality Manuka Honey

While not all Manuka honey is the same, when you have the knowledge to spot the best honey, you can take your daily routine to the next level. To identify high-quality Manuka honey, you should:

• Verify the origin - High-quality Manuka honey comes only from Manuka flowers in the remote forests of New Zealand. An authentic, quality product should clearly state that it is made in New Zealand. Some jars of honey will even have a traceability system that allows you to see the origin of the honey and how it stands up to quality tests.

• Check for testing – To ensure authenticity in Manuka honey, the New Zealand government requires that Manuka honey meets strict standards. This testing should include the MGO test and should be conducted by an independent laboratory approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).

• Check the rating – High-quality Manuka honey has a considerable amount of MGO and a rating that demonstrates its authenticity. You can choose from MGO ratings that can range anywhere from 50 to over 1,000, depending on your preferred taste and strength.

Another credible system is the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) grading system. The UMF grading system was developed by the UMF Association and measures multiple markers to ensure that Manuka is genuine. 

Manukora follows rigorous quality control standards to ensure that their honey meets the highest benchmarks.

The Manukora Difference

Producing high-quality Manuka honey relies on strict standards and an unwavering commitment to thoughtful production practices. At Manukora, we are committed to producing the highest-quality Manuka honey through ethical, sustainable, and transparent practices:

• Ethical Beekeeping: Our proprietary Art of Ethical Beekeeping ensures bees thrive in a stress-free environment while producing ultra-pure honey.

• Minimal Processing: We use low-temperature creaming and simple straining techniques to preserve raw honey’s natural goodness.

• Third-Party Lab Testing: Every batch is independently tested for purity, MGO levels, and environmental contaminants.

• Sustainably Sourced: Our honey is collected from New Zealand’s most pristine forests, ensuring purity and sustainability.

• Full Transparency: Scan the QR code on every jar for detailed batch information and lab test results.

Unlike some brands, Manukora does not include UMF ratings on our labels to avoid consumer confusion. Instead, we highlight MGO ratings, which are a direct measurement of Manuka honey’s beneficial compounds. Our honey is still UMF-certified at the company level, and we conduct rigorous third party testing to ensure authenticity and quality.

This third-party testing assesses all of the same factors as UMF tests do and even go a step further, assessing additional factors, like glyphosate residue. All of these tests and their results are available for customers to review by scanning the QR code.

FAQs

What is the best MGO rating for daily use?

MGO 600+ is ideal for daily wellness and immune support. If you are new to Manuka honey, this rating provides a balance of bioactivity and taste without being too strong.

Why doesn’t Manukora use UMF on its labels? 

Manukora chooses to highlight MGO ratings because they offer a clearer indication of the honey’s potency. Their honey is still UMF certified, but MGO transparency makes it easier for consumers to understand its benefits.

Can Manuka honey help with immunity? 

Manuka honey may support a healthy immune system due to its natural MGO content. While it is not a cure for illnesses, its bioactive properties contribute to overall wellness.

How can I verify the authenticity of Manuka honey? 

Look for traceability features such as QR codes on the packaging. Trusted brands like Manukora provide independent lab tests verifying the honey’s origin, MGO rating, and purity.

Does higher MGO mean better quality? 

Higher MGO levels indicate stronger bioactivity, but quality also depends on ethical sourcing and minimal processing. A high MGO rating with poor production practices does not equate to better honey.

Find Quality Manuka Honey

By understanding how to assess Manuka honey quality, you can make an informed choice and enjoy the full benefits of this unique honey. Choosing honey with verified MGO ratings, traceability, and ethical sourcing ensures that you receive the best product available.

For those starting their Manuka honey journey, our MGO 600+ Starter Kit is a great introduction. If you’re looking for even more advanced support, try our MGO 1000+ for maximum wellness benefits. Explore more about Manuka honey vs. raw honey or how to incorporate Manuka honey into your daily diet.

At Manukora, we take pride in crafting Honey With Superpowers™, ensuring every jar is as pure, premium, and ethically sourced as possible. Discover our full collection today! 

Sources:

• Adams, C. J., Boult, C. H., Deadman, B. J., Farr, J. M., Grainger, M. N. C., Manley-Harris, M., & Snow, M. J. (2008). Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys from New Zealand. Carbohydrate Research, 343(4), 651–659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2007.12.011

• New Zealand Government. (n.d.). Ensuring mānuka honey is authentic. Retrieved from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/17373/direct

• Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association. (n.d.). Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF) grading system explained. Retrieved from https://www.umf.org.nz/umf-grading-system-explained/