Choosing the best Manuka honey is actually not so easy. Every person’s taste differs and matters.
Not all honey is the same. And, with every option out there, finding the right one is not that easy.
Even when buying honey, every person looks for something that will benefit their health.
You ask why? Because every honey comes from different bees that gather various nectars of different flowers.
Additionally, some kinds of honey are pasteurized while others are sold as raw honey (as raw as when they are right from the beehives! Sometimes, with bits of honeycomb too!)
The Best Manuka Honey
What is the best manuka honey?
Choosing the best manuka honey brand depends on how you want the taste to be. It is also dependent on what specific purpose you want or what health benefits you want from it. Therefore, we have decided to gather a list of our favorites for you.
Manuka Honey with High UMF and MGO
Every jar of Manuka honey has a unique manuka factor or UMF. A UMF rating on a jar or bottle of manuka honey symbolizes the genuineness and high quality of such honey.
The higher UMF and MGO in these honey products, like the one above, portray the purity of their content. Sourced and manufactured in New Zealand, it has a UMF 15+ rating which assures us of authenticity. The company producing this product is a member of UMFHA, which proves that we are buying authentic (and not fake!) manuka honey.
Most raw honeys are considered a natural superfood. But the one below is one of the best because it is GMO-free without any additives.
New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey UMF 15+ | MGO 514+, UMF Certified / 17.6oz
See on AmazonIt has been shown that honey with a higher UMF rating and MGO content has a stronger flavor than one with a lower UMF and MGO.
Generally, it has a herbaceous flavor mixed with caramel and a tinge of bitterness.
Milder Tasting Manuka Honey
If you are one who loves milder-tasting honey, select one with a UMF of lower than 10 or with less than 250 MGO.
The one below has a 200+ MGO and would definitely taste milder.
P.R.I Manuka Honey, Certified MGO 200+, Raw New Zealand Manuka Honey, 500g Jar
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Or take, for instance, this MGO 50+ Manuka Honey . It has a milder taste yet still contains the same honey goodness for your wellness. This B-Corp certified, non-GMO honey is traceable from hive to hand.
Raw Manuka Honey
And if you’re looking for a more natural honey flavor, this raw manuka honey will give you earthy tastes and caramelized sugars. It surely tickles your taste buds. It is certified as a non-GMO and pure unpasteurized raw honey.
Manuka vs. Regular Honey
Besides the taste and color, there are other differences between regular honey and manuka honey.
Regular Honey
Regular honey is one that undergoes pasteurization to prevent fermentation by killing any yeast. This pasteurization process, however, eliminates some vitamins and natural enzymes that would have been beneficial to consumers.
It may also come as raw or unpasteurized or one that has not been heated or did not go through filtration or heating. It is honey exactly as when taken from the beehive and put inside a jar.
Regular honey looks cleaner and smoother, is translucent in color, and has a syrupy, more spreadable consistency.
Manuka Honey
The origin of Manuka honey traces back to the manuka tree, abundantly found in New Zealand and the southern part of Australia. Hence, some people call it New Zealand honey.
This type of honey is derived explicitly from honey produced by bees who feed on the nectars of the manuka bushes. This honey cannot be produced other than from the flowers of the said bush.
The manuka bush is indigenous to New Zealand and Australia. Hence, only these two countries produce this kind of honey. Then, they are imported into the US.
It is also one of the underlying reasons why this honey is so expensive. The rarity of supply and the fact of importing this honey into the US get into the pricing factor.
But for most people, the price of this honey is worth the medicinal benefits you can get from it.
The honey is rich in methylglyoxal and leptosperin and has long been known for its medicinal properties. The presence of this chemical is what makes this honey unique, as it is not found in some honey.
In contrast to regular honey, this type of honey is darker in color and thicker in consistency, fudge-like, and is more difficult to spread.
Can you consume this honey every day?
Inasmuch as there are claims of the highly effective therapeutic benefits of manuka honey, these claims are based on studies done on a limited number of people. Some of these studies were performed on mice and other animals.
These studies are not conclusive. To substantiate these claims, more research and studies are necessary.
These claims are not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis and prescription. It is always best to consult with medical professionals before trying out medications or alternatives to them.
While this type of honey indeed has health benefits, it is best to minimize its consumption, especially for people who have diabetes.
Honey, no matter how healthy it is, it still contains glucose and fructose, components of many carbohydrates. During digestion, our blood assimilates them directly into our bodies. Hence, for people who are on a low-carb diet, the intake of honey should be at a minimum.
To Sum it Up
There are lots of high praises and high recommendations for Manuka Honey.
But please also note that each of us has different levels of tolerance for food and ingredients. Some of us are even allergic to some specific foods.
But with that aside, by itself or as an addition to any recipe or our daily meals, we surely agree that manuka honey is indeed one great superfood.
Discover the top-rated manuka honey brands as voted by our readers! From high UMF ratings to great taste, find the best manuka honey for you.
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