Honey is nature's perfect way to sweeten foods. It contains vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that make it one of the healthiest of all foods on the planet. Manuka honey is a very special type of honey that is produced in only one area of the world — New Zealand. The health benefits and rich flavor make it one of the most unique and popular kinds of honey in the world.
The Manuka Flower
New Zealand is the home of the flowering Manuka shrub. The word Manuka is indigenous to New Zealand. Part of the tea tree and myrtle family, the manuka plant is a bush that produces beautiful flowers that attract honey bees in droves. The rich honey produced by the bees offers a rich, unique flavor that is unmistakably manuka.
The UMF
The Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is a quality grade given to jars of Manuka honey that are produced throughout New Zealand. The UMF Honey Association came up with the grading system that rates honeys using gradients of 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+ and higher. In order to receive a high ranking, the honey must meet or exceed specific standards that are applied through the grading system. The higher the ranking, the better the honey.
How Does Manuka Honey Compare to Other Kinds of Honey?
Manuka honey is darker and richer than most other types of honey. Unlike honey made from clover or fruit trees, Manuka honey contains antibacterial properties that boost its ability to be used in medicinal compounds. While other kinds of honey offer vitamins, minerals, and propolis, Manuka honey goes above and beyond offering additional health benefits like dietary methylglyoxal. It offers a much sharper taste that is considered a type of signature.
Health Benefits
Manuka honey offers health benefits other types of honey may not. It is an effective topical, antimicrobial that can be used on wounds to help them heal faster. It has also been used to treat infections like MRSA and other severe infections. Medicinal grade Manuka honey has also shown promise as an immune booster and for digestive support. The component that makes it a powerful wound healer may not make it through the digestive system. Its abundance of vitamins and minerals and its smooth, rich texture can provide some fraction of comfort for sore throats and coughs.
Overall Cost
Compared to other types of honey, Manuka honey can be rather costly. For approximately $30 USD, you can purchase a 250-gram container of Manuka honey. Most grocery stores will not carry it, but a larger natural foods store will. The cost of Manuka honey may seem a little high, but when you consider that Manuka flowers are found in only one country in the world, you begin to see why. Growers in those areas go to great lengths to maximize their efficiency when producing Manuka honey products.
At Taylor Pass Honey, we are committed to providing the best Manuka honey possible. We are always looking for new ways to improve our processes and ensure that our hives and plants always receive the best care possible. When you purchase one of our jars of honey, we make sure you get the most out of every dollar you spend.
