The benefits of manuka honey

It’s been widely acknowledged that manuka honey is like the supercharged older sibling of regular honey: more luxurious, tastier, and with even more health benefits. We know that we, for one, are never without a jar of the best manuka honey in our pantry: Bee+’s Manuka Honey. For the uninitiated, below we have a guide on what exactly it is, what to eat it with, and the vast range of manuka honey benefits. Let’s see what all the buzz is about, shall we?

So, what exactly is manuka honey?

It’s been a health food staple for a number of years, but what, explicitly, makes manuka honey what it is?

Manuka honey is the product of bees pollinating from the nectar of the New Zealand mānuka tree’s flowers, a native plant that only blooms for just 2-6 weeks per year. As the hives need to be in areas abundant with the mānuka trees, they are often located in some of the most lush and remote areas of New Zealand, often only accessible by helicopter. Because of the unique nature of the plants, the manuka honey itself, in turn, is infused with several incredible antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Thanks to the presence of protein or colloid, the visual of manuka honey is slightly thicker and darker than what you may be used to. Its flavour, also, is stronger than the grocery store honey you put in your tea, with more complex and rich notes. This is far from the honey that you’re familiar with; it’s more like liquid gold.

Manuka honey benefits

What makes manuka honey so unique is the presence of a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). Jars of manuka honey will usually display an MGO rating: the higher the concentration of MGO, the more potent the antibacterial properties in the honey are.

Manuka honey contains naturally-occurring pollen, enzymes, propolis and amino acids. The word ‘superfood’ doesn’t even begin to describe manuka honey’s benefits; it is so good for your skin. 

Understanding UMF ratings

You may notice that every jar of certified manuka honey is labelled with a certain UMF Rating. UMF, or the Unique Manuka Factor, is a number from 0-25 that measures the concentration of three compounds: MGO, dihydroxyacetone, and leptosperin. The higher the UMF number, the higher the level of the compounds.

If you’re looking for a potent manuka honey jam-packed with antibacterial properties, anything above with a UMF between 15 - 25 is for you. If you’re after something a bit more mellow in taste, while still infused with plenty of powerful natural benefits, try a manuka honey with a UMF of 10 – 15.

What should I eat manuka honey with?

Unlike some health foods that maybe lack in the flavour department, the great thing about manuka honey is that it’s not only incredibly beneficial, but tastes delicious. Put it on or in anything that you usually eat honey with: pour it over yogurt, mix it into smoothies, combine with oil and balsamic vinegar for a salad dressing, or stir it into your favourite tea. You can even just have a spoonful of it in the morning, enjoying manuka honey’s benefits and starting your day off right!

Now that you’ve been illuminated on the wonders of manuka honey, we’re sure you’re keen to get your hands on some! We’ve found that the best Manuka honey can be found within the Bee+ range. Proudly producing Manuka honey with UMF ratings from 5+ to 20+, the quality, benefits and taste of their honey are unparalleled. It’s high time to grab a jar, spread it on your toast or drizzle it on your morning oatmeal, and discover the sweeter side of life.