One of New Zealand’s best-known honeys is Manuka honey.
It has become increasingly familiar around the world, but when it comes time to choose a jar, labels such as “UMF™,” “MGO,” and “MG” can make the selection feel more complicated than expected.
Yet the appeal of Manuka honey goes far beyond the numbers on the label.
Open the jar and you may notice a distinctive aroma with herbal notes.
Its deep amber to brown colour sets it apart from many pale golden honeys, while its rich, smooth texture can be reminiscent of soft caramel.
You can enjoy it straight from the spoon, spread it on toast, drizzle it over yoghurt, or add it to tea.
There are plenty of ways to make Manuka honey part of everyday food and drink.
Today, Manuka honey is also available in convenient formats beyond the traditional jar, including Manuka honey lozenges that can be enjoyed one at a time and easily carried with you.
In this article, we explain what Manuka honey is, how New Zealand verifies Manuka honey for export, what UMF™, MGO and MG mean, how to compare grades and jar sizes, and some delicious ways to enjoy it.
Contents
- What Is Manuka Honey? One of New Zealand’s Best-Known Honeys
- Deep Colour and a Rich, Caramel-Like Texture
- How Manuka Honey Is Scientifically Verified in New Zealand
- What Do UMF™, MGO and MG Mean?
- How to Choose Manuka Honey Beyond the Grade
- From the Breakfast Table to Lozenges: Ways to Enjoy Manuka Honey
What Is Manuka Honey? One of New Zealand’s Best-Known Honeys
Manuka honey (Mānuka honey) is produced when honey bees collect nectar from the flowers of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), which grows widely throughout New Zealand.
Manuka produces small white or pale pink flowers and is a familiar part of New Zealand’s natural landscape.
Honey can vary considerably in colour, aroma, sweetness and texture depending on the plants that provide its nectar.
Just as acacia, clover and lavender honeys each have their own character, honey made from Manuka nectar has a distinctive flavour and appearance of its own.
Alongside its characteristic taste, another interesting feature of Manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MGO), one of the compounds used to characterise it, as well as the quality and authenticity systems established in New Zealand.
Where the honey comes from, how it tastes, and how its identity and quality are verified all help tell the story of Manuka honey beyond the number printed on the jar.
Deep Colour and a Rich, Caramel-Like Texture
If you are opening a jar of New Zealand Manuka honey for the first time, its appearance may be one of the first things you notice.
Some familiar honeys, such as certain acacia honeys, can be pale golden, translucent and relatively fluid.
Manuka honey, on the other hand, is often found in deeper amber to brown shades with a creamy, rich texture.
Scoop some onto a spoon and, rather than running off immediately, it may move slowly and smoothly with an almost luxurious thickness.
On the palate, the familiar mellow sweetness of honey is joined by a deeper richness, while some Manuka honeys also offer distinctive herbal notes.
If you enjoy full-bodied honey or the smooth texture of soft caramel, Manuka honey has a character that is well worth tasting on its own.
It is equally appealing in other ways.
Spoon it over warm toast and it gently softens into the surface, or drizzle it over cool plain yoghurt for a contrast between creamy tanginess and rich honey sweetness.
That versatility is one reason a jar of Manuka honey can easily find a regular place on the breakfast table or tea tray.
Why Do Different Honeys Vary in Colour and Texture?
The colour, aroma, flavour and viscosity of honey are influenced by many factors, including the nectar source, region and season of harvest, moisture and sugar composition, crystallisation, temperature, and processing conditions.
So rather than thinking of Manuka honey’s distinctive appearance as simply a result of “New Zealand bees,” it is better understood as the character created by Manuka as a nectar source together with the surrounding environment and the natural properties of the honey itself.
Manuka honey is a natural food, so colour, aroma and texture can vary slightly between harvests and batches.
Those natural variations are part of the experience of enjoying a food that begins with flowers, bees and the landscape rather than a completely uniform manufactured product.
How Manuka Honey Is Scientifically Verified in New Zealand
As Manuka honey has become recognised around the world, New Zealand has established a scientific definition for honey exported as New Zealand Manuka honey.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires Manuka honey intended for export under that name to meet specified criteria tested by recognised laboratories.
The testing looks for four chemical markers together with a DNA marker associated with Manuka pollen.
Together, these five markers are used to determine whether the honey meets New Zealand’s Manuka honey definition.
Under these criteria, exported New Zealand Manuka honey is classified as:
- Monofloral Manuka honey: honey that meets MPI’s five testing criteria for monofloral Manuka honey
- Multifloral Manuka honey: honey that meets MPI’s five testing criteria for multifloral Manuka honey
Bees naturally fly among whatever flowers are available in their surroundings.
For this reason, Manuka honey is not identified simply because it looks darker or tastes more intense.
Scientific markers are used to verify that it meets the required definition.
Using scientific criteria to verify New Zealand Manuka honey before it is exported to the world is an important part of understanding what you are buying when choosing honey from New Zealand.
What Do UMF™, MGO and MG Mean?
When comparing Manuka honey, you may see labels such as
“UMF™ 5+,” “UMF™ 10+,” “UMF™ 15+,” “MGO,” or “MG.”
It is easy to focus immediately on which number is larger, but understanding what each number actually represents makes it much easier to compare products sensibly.
What Is MGO?
MGO (methylglyoxal) is one of the naturally occurring compounds used to characterise Manuka honey.
An MGO rating generally indicates the amount of methylglyoxal in the honey in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
A larger number therefore represents a higher concentration of MGO in that particular honey.
Some products, including certain HealthLife honeys, may use an “MG50+” style of notation to indicate their methylglyoxal level.
When comparing UMF™, MGO and MG labels, it helps to check exactly what each product’s rating is describing rather than comparing the numbers alone.
What Is UMF™?
UMF™ (Unique Mānuka Factor) is a certification and grading system for Manuka honey operated by the UMF Honey Association in New Zealand.
The UMF™ system evaluates MGO, leptosperin, DHA (dihydroxyacetone), and HMF.
Together, these factors are used within the UMF™ system to assess characteristics associated with quality, authenticity, shelf-life and freshness.
Current UMF™ grades and their minimum MGO requirements include:
- UMF™ 5+: MGO 83mg/kg or more
- UMF™ 10+: MGO 261mg/kg or more
- UMF™ 15+: MGO 512mg/kg or more
- UMF™ 20+: MGO 826mg/kg or more
- UMF™ 25+: MGO 1197mg/kg or more
As the UMF™ number increases, the minimum required MGO concentration also increases.
It is also worth remembering that UMF™ 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+ and 25+ are all established grades with their own defined criteria.
The grade is a useful way to understand and compare Manuka honey, but it is only one part of choosing a product.
Jar size, flavour, budget and how you plan to enjoy the honey can be just as important.
How to Choose Manuka Honey Beyond the Grade
When choosing Manuka honey, consider the UMF™, MGO or MG rating together with a simple question:
“How do I want to enjoy it?”
- Jar size
- Flavour and aroma
- How often you expect to use it
- Whether you want to enjoy it straight or with food and drinks
- Your budget
- Whether you prefer a jar or something easier to carry
Once you look at these points as well as the number on the label, the reasons for choosing one product over another become much clearer.
For Everyday Enjoyment, Check the Jar Size Too
One detail that is easy to overlook is net weight.
Manuka honey may be sold in 250g or 500g jars.
A 500g jar contains twice as much honey as a 250g jar, so it makes sense to look at the amount in the container rather than comparing the retail price alone.
If you plan to enjoy Manuka honey not only by the spoonful but also over yoghurt, on toast, or in drinks, a generous 500g jar can be an attractive option.
Brilliant Life Products NZ offers 500g options in grades including UMF™ 5+ and UMF™ 10+.
UMF™ 15+, UMF™ 20+ and UMF™ 25+ options are also available, with 250g jars forming much of that range.
You might choose a larger jar for generous everyday use, or choose according to the UMF™ grade you are looking for.
There is no single right answer — the best choice is the one that fits the way you want to enjoy your Manuka honey.
Instead of asking only, “Which one has the biggest number?”, try asking:
“How would I like to enjoy this jar?”
That simple change of perspective can make choosing Manuka honey much easier.
From the Breakfast Table to Lozenges: Ways to Enjoy Manuka Honey
Manuka honey can be enjoyed straight from the jar or used in many of the same ways as other honeys.
Start with a Spoonful
If it is your first time trying Manuka honey, start by tasting a small spoonful on its own.
This is the simplest way to appreciate its smooth texture, rich sweetness and distinctive flavour before pairing it with other foods.
Drizzle It Over Yoghurt
Drizzle Manuka honey over chilled plain yoghurt and the fresh tang of the yoghurt is complemented by the honey’s rich sweetness.
Add blueberries, strawberries, kiwifruit or granola and an ordinary breakfast suddenly feels a little more indulgent.
If you find the aroma of Manuka honey particularly distinctive on its own, pairing it with yoghurt and fruit also offers another enjoyable way to experience its flavour.
Spread It on Warm Toast or Bread
Spoon Manuka honey onto freshly toasted bread and the warmth gently softens the honey, allowing it to settle into the surface.
The toasted aroma of the bread and the rich character of the honey make a simple but satisfying combination.
Try it with toast, baguette, pancakes or waffles and discover your own favourite pairing.
Enjoy It with Tea or Herbal Tea
A spoonful of Manuka honey can also bring a mellow sweetness and extra richness to tea or herbal infusions.
It is an easy way to make an everyday cup feel a little more special.
You might also enjoy exploring pairings with Tea Total black teas, rooibos teas or herbal blends to find combinations that suit your taste.
Use It in Cooking and Desserts
Manuka honey can also be used in the kitchen.
Try it in dressings, marinades, glazes and desserts wherever you might normally use honey.
Its sweetness and depth of flavour can bring a slightly different character to familiar recipes.
For Even More Convenience: Manuka Honey Lozenges
Another way to enjoy Manuka honey is in Manuka honey lozenges.
The word “lozenge” refers to a small sweet or candy designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
In Japan, products of this style are commonly described simply as “throat candies.”
There is no jar to open and no spoon to prepare.
You can simply take one piece at a time, making lozenges easy to keep in a bag, at your desk, or with you while travelling.
UMF™ 20+ Manuka Honey in an Easy-to-Carry Format
Alongside jars of Manuka honey, Brilliant Life Products NZ also offers HealthLife Manuka Honey UMF™ 20+ & Propolis Lozenges, 60 pieces.
They combine UMF™ 20+ Manuka honey with propolis, the natural bee-derived substance made from plant resins, creating a distinctly New Zealand combination of bee ingredients.
One of their greatest attractions is simple: you can enjoy them one piece at a time.
With a jar, you can savour the rich texture of Manuka honey by the spoonful.
With a lozenge, you can simply take one from your bag or desk whenever you want to enjoy it.
The same Manuka honey can therefore fit into different lifestyles in very different ways.
UMF™ 20+ Manuka honey and propolis, together in a convenient, easy-to-carry lozenge.
It is an appealing option for anyone who would like to enjoy New Zealand bee-derived ingredients in a format that is especially easy to take with them.
Summary | Choose Manuka Honey by the Numbers — and by How You Want to Enjoy It
New Zealand Manuka honey is known for its deep colour, rich and smooth texture, and distinctive flavour that can carry herbal notes.
These qualities give it a character quite different from many other honeys.
UMF™, MGO and MG ratings provide useful information for understanding and comparing different Manuka honey products.
At the same time, jar size, flavour, how you plan to use it, your budget, and whether you prefer a jar or a portable format are all worth considering when choosing the product that suits you.
Enjoy a spoonful straight from the jar.
Drizzle it over yoghurt.
Spread it on warm toast.
Add a little richness to your tea.
Or take a Manuka honey lozenge with you when you are out and about.
Instead of asking only, “Which number is best?”, try asking, “How would I like to enjoy Manuka honey?”
Seen this way, Manuka honey becomes less about decoding grades and more about discovering a distinctive New Zealand honey that fits naturally into your own lifestyle.
Brilliant Life Products NZ offers New Zealand Manuka honey in a variety of UMF™ grades and jar sizes, as well as Manuka honey lozenges.
You can find them in the “Main Product / Recommended Products” section below this article.
Enjoying Manuka Honey Safely
Manuka honey, like other honey, contains naturally occurring sugars and is best enjoyed as part of a balanced overall diet.
Honey and foods containing honey should not be given to infants under 12 months of age.
If you have an allergy to bee-derived products, please check the ingredients and cautions on the product label before consuming.
This article is intended to provide general information about Manuka honey and its components.
For questions concerning the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or other health conditions, please consult an appropriate healthcare professional.
