Although realistically it’s been around for thousands of years, Manuka honey has grown in popularity in recent years.
We now see our shelves scattered with original and fake Manuka honey, which is why we’ve put together a guide that will not only help you decide which Manuka honey is right for you but will help you learn how to check its real, as well as understand its proclaimed antibacterial qualities and health benefits.
Within this article we’ll cover all you need to know about Manuka honey and which is the best Manuka honey available to buy in the UK in 2021.
Sweet!
Where does Manuka honey come from?
The name for Manuka honey derives from the Manuka bush (leptospermum scoparium), which is indigenous to the Wairarapa region of New Zealand.
In the summer months of December and January, bees in the north island pollinate the flower of the Manuka bush to create what is known as Manuka honey.
What makes it different to normal honey?
Aesthetically it's easy to spot the difference between normal and Manuka honey, mainly because of its colour and consistency.
Normal honey is yellow/orange colour and is usually runny and transparent. While Manuka honey has a thicker consistency and has more of an orange/brown colour.
More scientifically, Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a natural substance responsible for the anti-bacterial effects of honey
What are the benefits of Manuka honey?
Not all honey is the same. The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the type of honey as well as when and how it's harvested. Some kinds may be 100 times more potent than others.1
To get slightly technical - all honey contains hydrogen peroxide, which has natural anti-bacterial effects.
In normal honey, these effects are lost when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down. However, in Manuka honey, its anti-bacterial properties remain well after the hydrogen peroxide has disappeared.
One of the major antibacterial components of Manuka honey is a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO comes from the conversion of another compound in Manuka honey known as dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a high concentration of which is found in the nectar of Manuka flowers.2
The higher the concentration of MGO, the stronger the antibacterial effect. This is reflected in a honey scale known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating, which is a producer’s potency rating.3
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Manuka honey is renowned for its antibacterial properties
Manuka honey’s MGO content means it has a high antibacterial effect.
The bees that frequent the Manuka bush carry back the antibacterial substance DHA which originates in the nectar of Manuka flowers to their hives and transform it into MGO-rich Manuka honey for us to enjoy.
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Soothes and calms sore throats
At one point or another you’ve probably been told to drink some hot tea and honey when you have a sore throat. This is because honey does an amazing job at soothing those sore throats.
Pair that with Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties and you’re on to a winner!
How do I know I'm buying real Manuka honey?
To keep in line with New Zealand government guidelines, we made the decision as a brand in 2018 to adopt the strict approved standards that ensure our customers are buying genuine New Zealand Manuka Honey.
All of our Manuka honey products are tested in both New Zealand under government guidelines, and in the UK by Fera. This ensures that customers get the purest, strongest, undiluted and official Manuka honey. This guarantees that MGO strength is measured and presented in a robust and transparent way.
You’ll also be able to tell whether it is genuine Manuka honey by looking out for certified labels.
For all other honey varieties, we ask our suppliers to meet Good Manufacturing Process in quality, traceability and taste, to ensure everything on our shelves is of the highest standard.
Top ten manuka honeys available in the UK 2021
We've rounded up the 10 best manuka honey products of 2021 so you can find out which one is best for you.
1. Best MGO 525
Manuka Lab Manuka Honey MGO 525 - 500g
Fully traceable from hive to home, Manuka Lab Manuka Honey is a unique and powerful type of honey all the way from New Zealand.
With an MGO of 525, this Manuka honey is an antibacterial-packed sweetener with a difference. It can be used like a normal honey as healthy sweetener for food and drinks or can be simply mixed with a glass of warm water to help soothe a sore throat.
Because Manuka Lab takes the time to test and verify every product before it leaves New Zealand, you know you’re getting the real deal. You can even trace this honey all the way back to the beekeeper it came from!
What our customers think:
Anonymous – Manuka 525+ - 5/5 stars
“Perfect, extraordinary purchase. Made to make your mouth water. Returning customer. Recommend the public to purchase this item.”
AC J – Excellent product – 5/5 stars
“Lovely taste. Tastes very different from the other brands with lower MGO.”
Manuka Lab Manuka Honey MGO 525 - 500g
2. Best MGO 400
Pure Gold Premium Select Manuka Honey MGO 400 - 375g
Pure Gold Manuka Honey complies to New Zealand MPI standards which identify this as genuine 400 MGO Manuka honey.
Like any other official Manuka honey, its tested by an internationally accredited New Zealand Government approved laboratory for MGO (dietary methylglyoxal), the key component that endows Manuka honey with its unique properties.
What our customers think:
Kristinamary – So so good – 5/5 stars
“I’ve been having my honey every morning for a couple weeks now and I love it. It tastes delicious! I eat mine drizzled on my breakfast of yogurt and fruit. This honey has so many health benefits, even my mum and sister have been asking for some!”
Pure Gold Premium Select Manuka Honey MGO 400 - 375g
3. Best MGO 340
Manuka Doctor Premium Monofloral Manuka Honey MGO 340 - 250g
Manuka Doctor are specialists in guaranteed, high-quality New Zealand harvested Manuka Honey,
To ensure you are getting consistent quality, every batch of Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey is tested and verified in a laboratory to measure the various quality parameters, all before leaving New Zealand.
At Holland & Barrett you can be assured that you’re receiving Manuka Honey that has gone through scientific testing and can be traced all the way back to the beekeeper it came from.
What our customers think:
Piscia1998 – Best Honey – 5/5 stars
“This is the best taste of honey. I just love it. Thank you!”
Jackie32576 – Amazing taste – 5/5 stars
“This is the first time I have tried monofloral Manuka honey. I usually go for the standard version but this was half price so I thought I'd give it a try. The taste is incredible, like nothing I have taste before. I will be repurchasing!”
Manuka Doctor Premium Monofloral Manuka Honey MGO 340 - 250g
4. Best MGO 300
Manuka Lab Manuka Honey MGO 300 - 500g
Manuka Honey is farmed and harvested exclusively in the rural pastures of New Zealand. Manuka has been used by the indigenous Maori population for centuries. By boiling the leaves and inhaling the vapour, or by burning the bark and using the ashes on their skin, the Maori would utilise Manuka.
Each batch of Manuka Lab Manuka Honey is tested by an internationally accredited New Zealand government approved laboratory for non-peroxide activity (NPA) and dietary methylglyoxa. The higher the number, the greater the level of activity.
What our customers think:
AuntyX – Superb, thank you Holland & Barrett – 5/5 stars
“I use this the whole family does different mgo this 300 mgo is good quality too highly recommend tastes great and too many health benefits.”
Rachel C – Soothing – 5/5 stars
“This is the third time I’ve bought this honey. It’s great for my throat as I’m a teacher and using my voice sometimes gives me a sore throat.”
Manuka Lab Manuka Honey MGO 300 - 500g
5. Best MGO 240 Manuka Honey
Manuka Doctor Premium Monofloral Manuka Honey MGO 240 - 250g
Manuka Doctor are specialists in high quality New Zealand Harvested Manuka Honey, with the usual from hive to home guarantee. MGO (Methylglyoxal) rating in Manuka honey is derived from DHA which is naturally present in the nectar of the Manuka Bush. Within the hive DHA undergoes the Maillard reaction to form MGO. Our MGO levels are validated by independent labs in NZ and the UK.
What our customers think:
PinkKissamo – Straight from the bee – 5/5 stars
“Fabulous tasting honey great texture and colour. The honey is delicious straight off the spoon as well as in warm water for drinking. Really good quality and keeps the bugs away.”
SnowKitten – Great value – 5/5 stars
“For me this is the best for the price. Lovely smooth taste.”
Manuka Doctor Premium Monofloral Manuka Honey MGO 240 - 250g
6. Best MGO 100+ Manuka honey
Egmont Honey Manuka Honey MGO 100+ - 500g
Egmont Honey's MGO 100+ Manuka honey is mono-floral Manuka, which means that it comes solely from the nectar of the Manuka bush. This means the Manuka Honey is higher quality, resulting in a higher MGO rating for users who are serious about getting the most out of their Manuka Honey.
Egmont Honey's hives are situated on remote forest blocks in the South Taranaki region of New Zealand, where bees harvest some of the purest and cleanest Manuka honey available.
What our customers think:
YenTran – Nice taste – 5/5 stars
“Nice taste and texture compared to other brands I have tried”
Egmont Honey Manuka Honey MGO 100+ - 500g
7. Popular MGO 70 Manuka Honey
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 70 - 500g
The MGO 70 rating of this Manuka Doctor honey is a measurement of its MGO (Methylglyoxal) levels and its antibacterial properties. Simply sipped from a spoon, added to your meal or dissolved in water or perhaps a smoothie, this Manuka honey is a versatile alternative to sugar as a way of sweetening up your diet without feeling too guilty.
What our customers think:
Mr JB – Lovely taste – 5/5 stars
“Lovely tasting honey and not at all sharp like some produce more commonly found in the shops.”
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 70 - 500g
8. Another popular MGO 70 alternative
Manuka Pharm Manuka Honey MGO 70 - 500g
Manuka Pharm are experts in high quality New Zealand Harvested Manuka Honey, Uniquely sourced and guaranteed 100% official Manuka honey. Validated in both New Zealand and on arrival to the UK.
What our customers think:
Lilly3 – Pure honey – 5/5 stars
“Never been used a Honey like this Manuka Honey. It’s pure and yummy in taste. Very very good Quality of Manuka Honey. Everyone should try it at least once in your life. Worth it”
Mama T – FIVE STAR – 5/5 stars
“Great product. I use it on a daily basis. Drink with warm water or use for tea. It’s not too sweet like the cheap honey.”
Manuka Pharm Manuka Honey MGO 70 - 500g
9. Best MGO 55 Manuka Honey
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 55 - 500g
Like all of the other products on this list, this Manuka Doctor Manuka honey is reliably sourced from New Zealand. It has a lower MGO number, which means it has a medium strength. This doesn’t particularly make too much difference to its taste, just the potency of its antibacterial qualities.
If you’re after hive-to-home honey that’s New Zealand approved and tested in the laboratory, then Manuka Doctor Manuka honey at Holland & Barrett comes highly recommended.
What our customers think:
Roxana Moise - Golden delight – 5/5 stars
“Delicious and full of goodness jar of honey, part of my daily diet”
Anonymous – Manuka honey – 5/5 stars
“Great product. The antiseptic properties are very good, especially the winter months. Always have some every year to ensure good health and wellbeing.”
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 55 - 500g
10. Best MGO 50 Manuka Honey
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 40 - 250g
Manuka Doctor has long been one of our best-selling, Manuka honey-based brands – with customers eager to get hold of the New Zealand-harvested honey that Manuka Doctor is known for.
Get sweet relief from troublesome sore throats with the natural antibacterial properties of New Zealand Manuka honey, whether it’s straight off the spoon, with a meal or dissolved in water.
What our customers think:
Mrs62 - TheHunnyMummy – 5/5 stars
“I have purchased different honey from all different companies and outlets. I personally, find this particular brand as being very, very good. Whatever the MGO, it is well sealed, it is thick and luxurious, the colour and aroma is wonderful, and the taste is sweet and palatable. I use it in coffee, for baking, on toast, for sore throats etc. The packaging is tactile and to obtain the very last drop, (the good stuff is usually so expensive) I pour in a little hot water and putting the lid on, swish it around and let it cool. My four paws loves it in her porridge for breakfast.”
Manuka Doctor Manuka Honey MGO 40 - 250g
Last updated: 04 May 2021
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses#1-2
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses#1-2
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses#1-2
