Most people never give much thought to the type of honey they buy. Honey is honey, just as marmalade is marmalade. But there’s a whole world of honey from which you can choose, including rooftop honey, raw honey, chunk honey, orange blossom honey and – of course – manuka honey. This last variety in particular has been the cause of much excitement, hailed as a superfood ‘healer’ with antibacterial properties, attracting fans such as Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow.
But what many folk aren’t aware of is that cowboy manufacturers have been combining it with cheaper varieties of honey, therefore hoodwinking the public. So if you want the real deal – a pure manuka honey to treat wounds, colds, flu, sore throats and more – then read our guide and check out our top suggestions for the very best in natural sweetness.
How to choose the best manuka honey for you
What is manuka honey?
Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is derived from bees that feed off the manuka plant (known in Australia as tea tree). Studies have shown that its health-boosting and antibacterial properties are far superior to other types of honey.
But isn’t all honey good for your health?
It’s true that all honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Throughout history it’s been used for medicinal purposes, in particular for treating skin infections and wounds, with impressive results that have been backed up by research. Honey also contains prebiotics, which helps feed the good bacteria in our stomachs, As such, honey is also believed to be excellent for maintaining gut health.
However, where manuka honey is different is in the scientific claim that its antibacterial activity surpasses that of normal honey, enabling it to survive the digestion process in a way that isn’t possible with regular honey. In addition to wound healing, it’s believed that manuka honey can help in the treatment of coughs and colds, painful gums, mouth ulcers and indigestion. There are claims that it can even fight the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.
How can I be sure it isn’t just hype?
Some scientists claim manuka honey’s additional powers are grossly exaggerated and that there isn’t enough conclusive evidence about its superiority.
Remember, too, that most of us don’t apply honey to the skin – we eat it – and many scientists aren’t convinced that the manuka honey’s antimicrobial activity can survive the digestion process any better than other types of honey.
There’s also the argument that honey is a sugar, which means we should limit how much we consume, and that there are plenty of other wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices with antibacterial compounds.
What about manuka honey that doesn’t come from New Zealand?
In 2017, the UK trademark registry granted the New Zealand Manuka Honey Appellation Society a certification mark, which means buyers in the UK are guaranteed that ‘manuka honey’ from New Zealand contains certain properties. Much to the Aussies’ disgust, manuka honey produced in Australia doesn’t come with this guarantee. It’s a ruling that Australian beekeepers are currently challenging, claiming that the island state of Tasmania in Australia was the first in the world to produce the distinctive honey.
What do the letters and numbers on manuka honey labels mean?
They refer to different grading systems, while the numbers refer to antibacterial action levels (the higher the number, the greater the action).
MGO: sometimes known as MG, the “methylglyoxal” rating is the measure of the antibacterial strength of manuka honey. It’s a little like measuring the honey’s horsepower.
UMF: the “unique manuka factor” is an international quality trademark used by New Zealand producers.
NPA: the “non-peroxide activity” is the same as UMF testing.
A or TA:“active” and “total activity” refer to the total amount of antibacterial action and are a different grading system to UMF and NPA.
The best manuka honey from £14
1. Comvita Manuka Honey UMF 10+
Price:£38 | Buy now from Amazon
Comvita claims that every batch of its honey is independently laboratory-tested to guarantee ratings, and all come with a scientific certification of origin. Also, impressively, every batch can be traced back to the original hive, helping to reassure that this is the real deal. The plastic pot is of a generous size, and you’ll be hit by the magnificent smell of the butterscotch-coloured honey contained within as soon as you open the lid. Sensationally sweet, we thoroughly enjoyed this honey on sourdough toast for breakfast.
Key specs – NPA: 10+; Volume: 500g
2. Steens 15+ UMF Manuka Honey
Price:£35 | Buy now from Amazon
Don’t expect glamorous packaging with Steens’ product, but rest assured this raw honey is top quality, with high enough levels of leptosperin and MGO to confirm it comes from manuka bushes. Levels aren’t as high as some manuka varieties, which has led The Daily Mail to claim that it’s possible the bees have collected nectar from some other plants too. Steens claims its unique cold-process extraction means natural properties are maintained, with traceability possible ‘from home to hive.’ Taste-wise, this honey is thick, tasty and luxurious – so much so that we were tempted to eat it right off the spoon.
Key specs – NPA: 15+; Volume: 340g
3. Sainsbury’s Manuka Honey 10+
Price: £16 | Buy now from Sainsbury's
In the world of manuka honey, this is a steal for just over £15 – particularly since it has super-high levels of leptosperin ( a chemical found only in the nectar of manuka plants) and bacteria-fighting MGO – both are well beyond the minimum required to prove an individual honey’s health benefits. In fact, the levels here surpass those found in far more expensive manuka honeys. When it comes to flavour expect real depth, with a rich, concentrated sweetness that lends itself perfectly to porridge or spread thinly over toast.
Key specs – NPA: 10+; Volume: 340g
4. The True Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey 1000+
Price:£54 | Buy now from Selfridges
Harvested in the remote bush country of New Zealand’s north island, this is the most expensive honey in our roundup. It’s also the smallest jar, with the shortest shelf life – ours had to be eaten within just six months. Nevertheless, it still made our roundup because it’s sumptuous, rich and bittersweet – with a gorgeous caramel colouring. With a whopping 1000+ MGO (the company only sells honey from 300+), it certainly appears to tick all the boxes when it comes to health benefits. The packaging is decadent too, making this a great gift.
Key specs – NPA: 1,000+; Volume: 250g
5. Tiptree Manuka Honey 10+
Price:£29 | Buy now from Amazon
With a prominent royal crest on the label, you’d expect this to be good – and it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s up there with the best in terms of high leptosperin and germ-attacking MGO levels and has outperformed more expensive manuka honeys in tests. Its colouring is darker than most manuka honeys we tried, with pale speckling, and neither is it as thick. Nevertheless, it still has the gooey, syrupy consistency associated with manuka – and it’s sweet without tasting too sugary. If you like your honey mixed with lemon in a drink then this is a real treat, while also tasting great with all the usual suspects of toast, porridge and so on.
Key specs – NPA: 10+; Volume: 340g
6. Marks & Spencer Manuka Honey 10+
Price:£15 | Buy now from Marks & Spencer
M&S sells two types of manuka honey – a 15+ and this slightly sweeter 10+. This is another one that comes out well in tests for leptosperin, and is outstanding when it comes to MGO levels, too. It’s surprisingly light in colour – quite unlike any other manuka honey we came across – and thicker too. The exquisite taste and texture mean you’ll want to use it in something where the flavour really shines through. We love the minimalist packaging, and the excellent price too.
Key specs – NPA: 10+; Volume: 340g
7. Honey New Zealand UMF 8+
Price:£15 | Buy now from Amazon
This manuka honey is made in Auckland, and it’s soft and almost creamy in texture. Every batch is independently lab-tested, with traceability back to the source hives – a process that’s audited and approved by all the big cheeses in New Zealand. According to the brand, the colours and flavour will vary with the harvests and seasons – ours was a light beige with the characteristic sweetness of manuka. It can be enjoyed straight from the jar or added to hot drinks, puddings, porridge and more.
Key specs – NPA: 8+; Volume: 250g
