Executive Summary:
- Ultra Active Manuka honey makes up only .02% of Manuka honey in the world due to its naturally high levels of MGO.
- Our Ultra Active honey is sourced only from New Zealand’s fertile and remote “Golden Triangle.”
- This line of honey is only produced in limited batches and is shaped entirely by seasonal and environmental conditions.
- Each jar is free from glyphosate, GMOs, and antibiotics and is fully traceable with the QR code found on the jar.
- Manukora harvesting and beekeeping processes are sustainable and low-intervention, so the bees and the environment remain undisturbed.
- Manukora subscribers get first access to new drops of Ultra Active Manuka honey, and they sell out quickly.
Why Ultra Active Manuka Is So Rare: Secrets of New Zealand’s Golden Triangle
Every time we announce a new drop of our Ultra Active honey, it doesn’t stay available for long. This type of Manuka honey meets exceptionally high standards, not only in MGO strength but also in sourcing, testing, and harvesting practices.
Yet, you might wonder: what exactly makes our Ultra Active Manuka Honey so special? And how does the environment of New Zealand’s “Golden Triangle” help shape its characteristics? Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Ultra Active Collection?
Manukora’s Ultra Active label is reserved for our highest-strength honey, with each batch meeting or exceeding the MGO content of 1600. To put that into perspective, this level of MGO is only achieved in .02% of the honey produced in New Zealand.
Ultra Active Honey is released only once or twice a year in small batches of 200 to 1000 jars. Due to their exclusivity, Manukora subscribers always get the first look, and it often sells out before it can reach the general public. Join the subscriber list to get access to the next release.
These releases don’t follow a regular schedule–they happen only when conditions are just right. Harvest locations are chosen carefully to ensure high MGO levels and unique flavor. Our last two releases were from the Coastal Northland (MGO 1750+) and the Waikato Riverlands (MGO 1600+) of New Zealand. Each location is carefully selected for its climate, bringing distinct tasting notes and unmatched strength.
The Golden Triangle: Nature’s Sweet Spot
The Golden Triangle is a remote area of New Zealand situated between the regions of Waikato, Taranaki, and Northland. Its environment is pristine, allowing the bees that collect honey from these Manuka tea trees to forage undisturbed by human activity and pollutants. This means the bees forage in clean, biodiverse conditions, and the honey they produce is a result of this quality.
To make the highest-quality honey in the world, bees need the right conditions. The Golden Triangle has the perfect combination of climate, soil, and native flora to support the dense population of Manuka tea trees in the area.
Environmental Conditions That Drive Potency
Unlike other brands of Manuka honey, its strength is not artificially manufactured, blended, or distilled. Instead, its strength is a result of the natural elements in the area and careful harvesting and beekeeping practices.
The Golden Triangle is located in a subtropical zone, where winters are mild and summers are warm and humid. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year, and Manuka tea trees receive optimal sunlight. This translates to extended blooming seasons, which give our buzzing friends more time to forage from Manuka tea tree blossoms.
The soil composition also plays an important role in MGO concentration. These trees prefer the damp soil of their native region of Northern New Zealand, which is rich in organic material. All of these factors contribute to higher concentrations of MGO and other key nutrients, which are required to meet the standards of our Ultra Active label.
How Rarity and Strength Influence Flavor & Texture
High MGO Manuka honey isn’t only chemically different from lower MGO honey, but it also has a different texture and flavor. MGO is the active compound in honey that provides the antibacterial properties and gives way to its distinct caramel-like flavor.
Our last two batches of Ultra Active Manuka honey had distinctly different flavor profiles:
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Our Coastal Northland batch from 2024 received intense sunlight and an ocean breeze, resulting in more concentrated, sweeter notes of caramel.
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Our Waikato Riverlands batch from early 2025 was situated in lush riverlands and has more notes of dark chocolate and citrus.
When it comes to texture, the more MGO present, the denser and creamier the honey will be. The texture of our Ultra Active collection is luxurious and rich, making it the most decadent honey available on the market.
Manukora’s Role in Protecting This Rare Resource
Without the pristine and remote environment in which Manuka tea trees flourish, we wouldn’t be able to produce such high-quality honey. This is why we take our harvesting and beekeeping efforts seriously.
At Manukora, we practice The Art of Ethical Beekeeping. That means we prioritize the health of the bees, their habitat, and the planet. We are not solely focused on how much honey is produced; we care about the natural landscape and try to disturb our bees as little as possible. That can be something as simple as not transporting the hive from winter to summer, or ensuring the bees have enough honey in the hives to get through winter.
Want to know where your jar of honey came from, what its strength is, and its purity? We believe in transparency every step of the way. As such, every jar has a QR code that allows you to trace your exact batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ultra Active Manuka Honey so rare?
Only .02% of Manuka honey reaches MGO levels over 1600. This is because it is harvested from the “Golden Triangle” of New Zealand, which provides the perfect climate and soil composition for Manuka tea trees to flourish.
Is Ultra Active Honey better than regular Manuka honey?
Ultra Active honey typically has a much higher concentration of MGO, and has a more refined flavor, texture, and smell that is highly dependent on harvest location.
How can I get access to future UA drops?
Subscribe to the Manukora mailing list to receive early access to these Ultra Active honey drops. These drops usually sell out quickly, so be sure to sign up for the mailing list to avoid missing your chance to purchase this rare and limited-edition honey.
Does higher MGO affect the taste or texture?
MGO is associated with a caramel-like flavor that becomes more pronounced at higher levels. This also makes the honey thicker and creamier, resulting in a luxurious mouthfeel and a dynamic flavor profile.
Grab Manukora’s Ultra Active Manuka Honey Today!
Manukora’s Ultra Active Manuka honey is the culmination of the right environment, the right practices, and the right timing. The Golden Triangle is the best place in the world to source Manuka honey, resulting in honey that is naturally higher in MGO and rich in flavor. Our sustainable practices give you peace of mind knowing that we take care of our bees and our planet.
Each jar of Ultra Active honey is the result of careful decisions, sustainable harvests, and the natural strength of the Manuka tea tree. That’s why we share the story behind each batch—so you can appreciate the process, not just the product.
If you want to be kept in the loop for our next Ultra Active release, subscribe to our list to grab a jar of your own so you can experience one of the rarest honeys in the world.
