What Is Manuka Honey?
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is produced by nectar gathered from the Leptospermum family of plants. Manuka is the Maori name for Leptospermum scoparium. Leptospermum scoparium is found in both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand was the first to successfully market the benefits of Manuka honey.
Manuka honey is unique because it contains antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds. The most prevalent compound present in Manuka honey is Methylglyoxal (MGO). The antibacterial and antimicrobial strength of Manuka honey means it can be used for healthcare and well-being. Manuka honey can be used to naturally treat a range of ailments, including skin conditions and wounds, digestive conditions colds and flu.
What is Australian Manuka honey?
Australian Manuka honey is produced naturally by bees, from the nectar of plants of the Leptospermum genus. Australia has the largest diversity of Leptospermum plants in the world, with over 80 native species growing throughout the country in a variety of habitats from coastal dunes to high mountain peaks.
Pure, active Australian Manuka honey
All honey defined and labelled as Australian Manuka and carrying the Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) Mark of Authenticity logo, must be produced in Australia, and be tested by an independent approved laboratory to ensure it contains the following criteria when packed:
• To bear the ‘Authorised’ mark, products must be tested to contain at least:
• ≥ 30 mg/kg (or ppm) methylglyoxal (MGO)
• ≥ 60 mg/kg (or ppm) dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
• To bear the ‘Authentic’ mark, products must be tested to contain at least:
• ≥ 85 mg/kg (or ppm) methylglyoxal (MGO)
• ≥ 170 mg/kg (or ppm) dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
Research in Japan has also identified that there are some unique chemical identifiers present in Leptospermum honeys that are not found in regular honey, which makes it very easy to differentiate between fake product and pure, natural Manuka honey. Scientists have tested Australian Manuka honey for the unique chemical markers of Dihydroxyacetone, Methylglyoxal and Leptosperin, and have found them in abundance.
In order to provide consumers of Manuka honey with absolute confidence that the honey they are purchasing is pure 100% Australian Manuka, the AMHA has launched its Mark of Authenticity.
The Association’s Scientific Advisory Committee, comprising leading scientists in the field, has established a set of standards that define authentic Australian Manuka honey. Honey that carries the AMHA’s Mark of Authenticity must be pure, natural Manuka honey, produced entirely in Australia, and be tested by an independent, approved laboratory to ensure it meets minimum standards of naturally occurring methylglyoxal (MGO) and dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
These compounds are naturally occurring in authentic Manuka. The level of MGO determines the potency of the honey, while the amount of DHA shows that this potency came naturally from the bees collecting Manuka nectar. Leptosperin is found in all Australian Manuka honeys, and according to the discoverer, Professor Yoji Kato, is a mark of Manuka authenticity. (Kato et.al. J. Agric. Food Chem 2012, 60, 3418-3423.)
Try Australia’s Manuka Honey with us today
All our Manuka honeys are labelled with the globally recognised MGO rating system. We aim to make it simple and transparent for the consumer to purchase good quality Manuka honey for their specific needs. We offer a full range of independently tested Manuka honey products. When you buy from us, you are purchasing Manuka honey directly from the Beekeeper and fresh from the beehive, too.