Manuka honey
Manuka honey from New Zealand, graded by MGO or UMF, in jars, lozenges and travel sachets. We explain what the numbers on the label mean, which grade suits daily use, and how to store it well. Prices rise with the grade, so we say when that matters.Read more →
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Manuka honey grades, forms and how to use it
Manuka honey is made by bees from the nectar of the mānuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium, which flowers for only a few weeks a year in New Zealand. That short season, plus remote hive sites, explains the price. As the honey matures, a compound in the nectar converts into methylglyoxal, usually shortened to MGO. Methylglyoxal is the marker used to grade it.
What the numbers on the jar actually mean
Two systems sit on UK shelves. MGO is a measured amount of methylglyoxal per kilogram of honey: a plain number. UMF is a licensed quality mark that tests several natural markers, so it also checks that the honey is genuine mānuka and not a blend. A higher number means a stronger, more medicinal flavour and a higher price. It does not turn honey into something other than food.
The forms we stock
- Jars: the standard choice, by the spoon, on toast or stirred into warm drinks.
- Lozenges and pastilles: manuka combined with other ingredients, handy on the move; see all products in lozenge form.
- Single sachets: fixed portions for travel, no sticky jar in your bag.
- Blends with propolis, ginger or lemon, where flavour and convenience matter more than a high grade.
How we choose the manuka honey we stock
We keep this collection deliberately small. We only list honey that shows a grade on the label, MGO or UMF, backed by batch testing, because an unnumbered jar tells you nothing about what is inside. We buy directly from the brands, without intermediaries, so you know the jar is authentic, and our compliance team checks every label before it goes live. Where a brand offers a ladder of grades, we also stock the lower and middle ones: for everyday use they make more sense than collector grades. We test products ourselves and independent labs spot-check batches. You can read how we select.
Who it suits, and who can skip it
Manuka honey suits you if you already use honey daily and want a specific, well-documented origin with a graded label. It is also a common gift, which is why the higher grades exist in small jars. If you simply want something sweet for your porridge, a good local blossom honey does that job for far less money. Shoppers often browse this page alongside our immune system range, so it helps to be clear about the difference.
Honest context before you buy
Under UK and EU food law, no health claim is authorised for manuka honey. So we describe it as what it is: a food with a distinctive taste, a verified origin and a graded marker. If you are looking for a nutrient with an approved effect on the immune system, products with vitamin C are the clearer route, since vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Two practical points. Manuka honey is still around four fifths sugar, so a teaspoon is a portion, not a serving. And honey of any kind, including manuka, is not suitable for babies under twelve months. Store the jar closed at room temperature, away from sunlight, and use a dry spoon. Crystals or a firmer, creamed texture are normal and do not mean the honey has spoiled.
Frequently asked questions
What is manuka honey?
Manuka honey is a honey made from the nectar of the mānuka bush, a shrub that grows mainly in New Zealand and flowers for only a few weeks each year. The nectar contains a substance that slowly turns into methylglyoxal, or MGO, while the honey matures. That marker is measured and printed on the jar as a grade. Everything else about it is honey: sugars, water, traces of pollen and enzymes.
Why is manuka honey so much more expensive than normal honey?
Three reasons stack up. The flowering window is short, so beekeepers have a few weeks to collect it. Many hives sit in remote hill country, which makes the work slow and costly. And every export batch is chemically and genetically tested before it may be sold as mānuka, which adds cost per jar. Higher grades come from a smaller share of the harvest, so the price climbs faster than the number on the label.
What is the difference between MGO and UMF on the label?
MGO tells you one thing: the measured methylglyoxal content per kilogram of honey. UMF is a licensed quality mark that tests several natural markers together, so it also confirms the honey is genuine mānuka rather than a blend. Both are useful. A UMF licence number lets you check the packer, while an MGO figure is easier to compare between brands. What neither number tells you is how the honey will taste to you.
Which form of manuka honey should I choose?
It depends on where and how you will use it. A jar gives you the most honey per pound, lozenges are the practical option away from home.
| Form | What it is | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Jar | Pure graded honey | Daily use at home |
| Lozenge | Manuka with other ingredients | On the move |
| Sachet | Single fixed portion | Travel, work |
| Blend | With propolis or ginger | Flavour, gifting |
Browse related options in our throat and nose category.
Is a higher MGO grade always the better buy?
Not for everyday use. A higher grade means more methylglyoxal, a stronger and more bitter flavour, and a steeper price. For a spoon in the morning or in warm tea, a lower or middle grade is usually the sensible choice, which is why we stock those too. The high grades make sense if you specifically want the most concentrated version, or as a gift. Taste and budget decide more here than the number does.
How do I take manuka honey, and how much?
Most people use a teaspoon, either straight from the spoon or stirred into a warm drink. Treat it as food, not a dose: manuka honey is still roughly four fifths sugar, so a teaspoon is a portion. Very hot water changes the flavour and thins the texture, so let a drink cool a little first. Use a dry spoon each time, keep the lid closed, and store the jar at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Can children have manuka honey?
Honey of any kind, including manuka, should not be given to babies under twelve months. UK NHS guidance advises against honey for children under one year because it can occasionally contain bacterial spores that a young baby's gut cannot handle. From one year onwards honey is treated like other sugars: fine occasionally, kept away from teeth-brushing time and bedtime bottles. If you are unsure for a specific child, ask your GP or health visitor.
How can I tell whether a jar is genuine New Zealand manuka?
Look for three things together. First, a clear grade on the front, MGO or UMF, not a vague word like "active". Second, a batch or lot number you can trace, and with UMF a licence number naming the packer. Third, a stated New Zealand origin. Since New Zealand requires export batches to pass a defined chemical and DNA test, a jar with no grade, no batch and no origin is a jar with nothing to check. We only list honey that passes those checks.
