The Manuka Honey produced in New Zealand has gained international renown. It's a wonderful natural sweetener, but it's also a "superfood" because of its unmatched multiple qualities. If you want to buy authentic New Zealand Manuka Honey, you need to know what to look for on the label and why it's so exceptional.
What is New Zealand Manuka Honey?
Bees in New Zealand produce honey by sucking nectar from blossoms. Different kinds of honey have their own distinct flavours, hues, and qualities because of the flowers they are made from. Bees produce Manuka Honey by gathering nectar from the Manuka tree.
What is "Manuka" in Manuka Honey?
Let's back up and figure out exactly what "Manuka" refers to in "Manuka Honey." The Manuka tree is endemic to New Zealand. Leptospermum Scoparium is its scientific name, and you can find it all across New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the indigenous Maori people knew the Manuka tree was unusual, with its white and pink blooms and short, pointed green leaves centuries before scientific studies confirmed their observations.
Traditional Maori medicine (Rongo Mori) employed nearly every aspect of the New Zealand Manuka tree to cure everything from wounds and burns to inflammation and gastrointestinal issues.
What makes New Zealand Manuka Honey so unique?
It has been hypothesised that Manuka Honey contains special qualities that make it useful for more than just sweetening tea. Traditionally, honey has been used to heal wounds, enhance skin health, and promote better digestion.
Traditional advantages may be attributable to the wide variety of proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids found in honey. But Manuka Honey has that little something extra.
Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, was the term used to describe whatever it was in Manuka Honey that gave it its unique properties until scientists could figure out the specifics.
The chemical methylglyoxal (commonly referred to as MGO or MG) was then identified as the distinctive ingredient that sets New Zealand Manuka honey apart. Studies have revealed that MG/MGO, at specific doses can inhibit bacterial growth. Further, it helps reduce inflammation when applied topically. The rich nutritional profile of Manuka honey can support immune systems, fight bacteria, soothe throat infections as well as help to support the recovery of digestive discomfort.
About Melora
Melora's founders set up Api-med Medical in the early 1990's, a joint venture with WaikatoLink to trial medical-grade Manuka honey, which were trialled in hospitals and clinics in the UK. This was the first use of Medical grade Manuka honey. The first time Manuka honey has been used as a medical device.
This was later sold to Comvita one of the largest providers of Manuka Honey in New Zealand.
In the early 2000's Phil set NZ Manuka group. Melora Manuka Honey is one of nature's most extraordinary and special products is gathered and prepared with the closest attention to detail to guarantee the best quality, purest form, and richest concentration of natural chemicals possible. Melora Manuka Honey uses innovative harvesting techniques to produce the highest quality Manuka honey on the market and prioritises customer service.
By not using man-made honeycombs, they harvest the honey in a less industrialised fashion.
Melora is part of the UMFHA.
Award-Winning Manuka honey 2022
In 2022 Melora Manuka honey won a gold award for quality in the London Honey Awards.
Our Manuka honey is 100% raw and as natural. The Manuka has rigorous laboratory testing and is packed with nutrients like vitamins, flavonoids, plant phenols, amino acids, and minerals, To support and strengthen your immune system.
This demonstrates how organic this Melora Manuka honey is!
What to look for when buying Manuka honey?
The grading systems are confusing, they range from MGO, UMF, K Factor, Active, combined with different numbers.
There is only one UMFHA, they are an independent body who regulates Manuka honey, we highly recommend when purchasing Manuka Honey look for the UMF logo on the jar, you can be assured this is audited.
Grades of Manuka Honey can range from typically 40MGO to 850MGO, the higher the grade the stronger the Manuka honey and the higher the level of goodness, that Manuka Honey is famous for.
In Conclusion
Manuka honey is truly exceptional. The only honey that is antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The possibilities of reaping its rewards are infinite, and the exorbitant advantages make Manuka honey worthy of all the attention it has received.
People in large numbers have used it, and many of them have expressed satisfaction with it over the years. A superior alternative to traditional honey due to its actual sweetness and advantages.
These jars are truly one-of-a-kind because they capture the aroma, flavour, and abundance of New Zealand.
You can find our authentic New Zealand Honey here