Manuka Honey
Our Manuka honey is an amber colour, and contains methylglyoxal (MGO). Manuka Honey is markedly viscous, having the highest viscosity among a range of honey. Manuka honey has a strong flavour, characterised as ‘earthy, oily, herbaceous’ and ‘florid, rich, and complex’. It has also been described as having a “damp earth, heather, aromatic’ aroma and a “mineral, slightly bitter” flavour. Manuka honey is not only used to eat, it has also been used on wounds as a dressing, and in the cosmetic industry. We measure Methyglyoxal using an independent laboratory, so that we can guarantee our product and the Methylglyoxal level.
Manuka
New Zealand MANUKA (Leptospermum scoparium) is a scrub like bush or small tree growing 2-5 meters tall that flowers on our property in Summer, between Late November to early February. It is evergreen, with dense branching and small leaves. The flowers are small, white (with a little red in the center) and very delicate. Found throughout New Zealand, but more commonly on the drier east coasts of the North and South Islands. Manuka is one of the first native bushes to naturally regenerate, regrowing on farm land once clear felled by the early settlers.
On our property, all the manuka is uncultivated. It is naturally generated from seeds that have laid dormant in the farm land for many many years. Where grass land was once grazed by stock, acres of manuka bushes cover the mountain side. Maori ancestors used Manuka for medicinal purposes. They drank the infusion of Manuka bark, capsules and seed. Or, applied the infusion externally for pain relief for burns, wounds and other infections. Kakariki parakeets use the leaves and bark of Manuka to rid themselves of parasites. They either chew the leaves and bark, or mix it with preen gland oil and apply it to their feathers.
Independent UMF ™/ MGO Manuka Honey Testing
We have every batch of our honey independently tested for many parameters to ensure it meets all the New Zealand Export standards. Of these tests, we present just the important information to you on every pot. Methylglyoxal is measured in mg/kg of MGO (methylglyoxal). Methylglyoxal (MGO) is one of the key compounds naturally occurring in New Zealand Manuka Honey. It is found in levels of at least 50mg/kg in Manuka honey but in other honeys is only found in levels of 0-5 mg/kg). We guarantee all our manuka honey is New Zealand Manuka Honey.
Every batch of UMF™ Mountain Gold Manuka Honey undergoes testing and must pass the standard for us to be able to display the UMF logo on our pots. This mark is independently monitored for quality, purity and authenticity by the UMF® Honey Association (UMFHA). The UMF® number indicates the level of the unique Manuka properties within the honey. As well as regular monitoring, the UMFHA also conducts random sampling to ensure Manuka honey carrying the UMF® mark is true to label.
Only the UMF® testing process measures all three signature compounds, Methylglyoxal (MGO), DHA, and Leptosperin. These together indicate the purity, quality, and test for authentic, Manuka honey.
Please see www.umf.org.nz for further information on the grading system and UMF® quality mark.