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Manuka - The Basics

Manuka honey is derived from the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium tree, or as the Māori named it - the Manuka tree - which is native to New Zealand.

What sets Manuka honey apart is its unique composition, which includes antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds. The most recognizable compound in Manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MGO). This antibacterial and antimicrobial strength makes Manuka honey a versatile natural remedy for various ailments. It can be used to treat skin conditions, wounds, digestive issues, and colds and flu.

The MGO Grading System

The MGO rating represents the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey. It serves as a quantitative measure of the honey’s antibacterial activity. Laboratories use MGO as a standard to determine the potency of Manuka honey. In recent years, most countries have agreed that MGO is the most reliable and accurate way to characterize the strength of Manuka honey.

The higher the concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO) in honey, the higher its rating and the stronger its antibacterial properties. For instance, honey with an MGO content of 850+ is more potent than honey with an MGO content of 300+

The UMF™ grading system

Since 2018, the UMF™ association has based their grading system on 4 different markers:

MGO - the source of the special antibacterial properties and an important potency measure. The higher the MGO, the stronger the concentration of MGO

DHA - slowly converted to MGO in healthy living honey. The higher the DHA content, the longer the life of the MGO content in your mānuka honey

HMF - assures honey has not been overheated or stored too long;

Leptosperin - a compound found in Manuka flower nectar in high levels and can only be created by nature.

Also, all UMF™ certified products must meet the NZ government definition for Monofloral Manuka honey

What about K-factor or Pollen tests?

K-factor is a grading system that was invented before the MPI guidelines and was originally made up based on the pollen content in the honey. A K-Factor 12 has a minimum 65% Manuka pollen count, and K-Factor 16 has a minimum 75% Manuka pollen count.

The problem is that pollen count is a really poor measure for legitimacy as the pollen test does not even discern the difference between Manuka and Kanuka on the test. Both Manuka and Kanuka flower at similar times in New Zealand. Grading using pollen count does not measure the antibacterial level in the honey (the main reason people buy Manuka) - which raises the question as to why you would not want to state the antibacterial level of the honey???!

Bio Active / Active / TA Grades

"Manuka Honey" that is graded with Bioactive or Active followed by a number are deliberately trying to mislead you. These honey's will be tested and certified but not for the right test / right stuff. These are usually tested for Peroxide activity (PA) or Total activity (TA)  - a combination of PA and NPA. They do this to obtain a high number on the label so that consumers will pay a higher price, as they prey on consumers lack of knowledge about the grading systems.

Remember earlier how we told you that peroxide activity declines very quickly over heat and time. Unscrupulous players will test their honey as soon as it is harvested to give them a high number - so they are technically not lying to you. But by the time you get it home to use - the levels will be much lower than when tested. 

Same for Total Activity - yes it may have some NPA in it, but the likelihood is that it had far more PA in it at the time of testing - for example a TA 30 - might have had a PA of 25 and an NPA of 5 - but by the time you come to use it only the NPA will be left!

Manuka honey that is packed in NZ is not allowed to use these grading systems. So if you see a TA or bio active graded honey - it may claim NZ Manuka on the label but it will have been packed overseas  - and will typically have very little real antibacterial level in

So Which Grading System is Better?

The answer is not as straightforward as it may seem. The UMF™ grading system covers 4 markers plus the NZ government test - so 9 markers in total - so naturally you would think it is the better grading system, and dont get us wrong it is the best grading system in NZ - as requires more of its members to test for more markers than any other grading system, and within that they set thresholds for DHA, Leptosperin and HMF to further ensure the honey quality at a high level.

However, most NZ companies that pack Manuka test for MGO, DHA, and HMF (it's called the 3 in 1 test) and is the most commonly used test in the industry, and all Manuka that is packed in NZ into retail jars has to meet the MPI testing requirements for Manuka honey.

So the only thing the UMF™ association does differently is test for Leptosperin. They also charge NZ companies $40k as a joining membership fee plus annual royalties!

We here at Wonder Honey also test for Leptosperin, as well as the other parameters that they test for - which means we meet all of the UMF™ testing criteria. We actually test for 26 different markers which exceeds this. While we would be happy to be part of the UMF association, we also feel at the moment that is a lot of money for a small business to pay just to be able to have the UMF™ logo on our label.

Ultimately, those extra costs (one way or another) are usually passed on to the consumer.

What Does Wonder Honey Test For?

26 Markers Tested - Exceeding UMF™ requirements

We test for 26 markers of quality and authenticity. This exceeds the NZ Government and UMF™ associations requirements for legitimate Manuka honey

MGO level

The source of the special antibacterial properties and an important potency measure. The higher the MGO, the stronger the antibacterial properties

MPI 5 in 1 test

This is the NZ government test to prove what is legitmate Manuka. It consists of 4 plant phytochemicals markers and a Manuka DNA test

DHA

This is the precursor to MGO in healthy living honey. The higher the DHA content, the longer the life of the MGO content in your mānuka honey

HMF

This test ensures honey has not been overheated or stored too long. Must be under 40mg/kg

Leptosperin

A compound found in Manuka flower nectar in high levels and can only be created by nature.

No Glyphosate

We test for this harmful herbicide. All of our products are glyphosate free - always!

15 More Quality Markers

These test cover sugars, colour, conductivity, enzyme activity to ensure you are getting the very best Manuka on the market

26 Markers Tested - Exceeding UMF™ requirements

We test for 26 markers of quality and authenticity. This exceeds the NZ Government and UMF™ associations requirements for legitimate Manuka honey

MGO level

The source of the special antibacterial properties and an important potency measure. The higher the MGO, the stronger the antibacterial properties

MPI 5 in 1 test

This is the NZ government test to prove what is legitmate Manuka. It consists of 4 plant phytochemicals markers and a Manuka DNA test

DHA

This is the precursor to MGO in healthy living honey. The higher the DHA content, the longer the life of the MGO content in your mānuka honey

HMF

This test ensures honey has not been overheated or stored too long. Must be under 40mg/kg

Leptosperin

A compound found in Manuka flower nectar in high levels and can only be created by nature.

No Glyphosate

We test for this harmful herbicide. All of our products are glyphosate free - always!

15 More Quality Markers

These test cover sugars, colour, conductivity, enzyme activity to ensure you are getting the very best Manuka on the market

Honey Grade Calculator

Here is a useful calculator to hep you understand what the MGO or UMF™ numbers convert to

UMF™ Calculator

Enter the MGO number of Manuka honey to convert it into the correct UMF™ (or NPA) value of the honey.

MGO Calculator

Enter the UMF™ (or NPA) value of the Manuka honey to convert it into the corresponding MGO value.

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