What’s All the Hype Surrounding Manuka Honey?

Kourtney Kardashian enjoys raw spoonfuls of this honey. Laura Dern stirs it into her green tea. Scarlett Johansson applies it to her radiant skin. Novak Djokovic relies on it to enhance his tennis performance. Even Dr. Oz raves about this ‘liquid gold.’ It’s not just the stars who are drawn to this sweet treat. Health-conscious consumers are eagerly seeking out this pricey, yet captivating product.

So, what’s the deal with this magical substance? It’s honey. More specifically, manuka honey (or mānuka honey), which originates from New Zealand and is notably different from the typical honey you’d find on supermarket shelves.

"Manuka honey from New Zealand, derived from the native manuka plant, Leptospermum scoparium, is a highly unique and complex substance containing over 2,000 distinct natural compounds—twenty times more than regular pasture honeys like clover," says Corey Blick, vice president of Comvita North America, a New Zealand-based beekeeping company specializing in manuka honey, in an email interview. "These compounds contribute to the wide range of health benefits associated with manuka honey."

What Health Benefits Could Manuka Honey Offer?

Blick points out that due to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, Comvita is prohibited from making any official health claims about manuka honey or any other food items. However, he hints that manuka honey may have a variety of potential effects on the human body.

"The most thoroughly researched and significant bioactivity of manuka honey is its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. It also demonstrates anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant effects," says Blick. "These bioactivities interact together to provide manuka honey with its therapeutic properties."

However, manuka honey is not the only honey known for its ability to help prevent infection. “Honey has a very low moisture content,” explained Frances Largeman-Roth, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and author of Eating in Color, in a 2018 article for Health magazine. “When applied to a wound, the honey draws all the liquid out, as it has the ability to absorb moisture. By absorbing impurities, honey helps safeguard the body against infection.”

So, what’s the scientific explanation behind why manuka honey is considered different from the typical commercial honey you can pick up at any grocery store?

One of the most notable compounds found in manuka honey is methylglyoxal. "Methylglyoxal is the key component in manuka honey that gives it its distinct antimicrobial properties," explains Blick.

However, manuka honey is more than just one powerful compound: It contains other rich elements that contribute to its alleged healing effects. One such compound is leptosperin, which may offer some anti-inflammatory benefits, though this is still under investigation.

What Makes Manuka Honey So Expensive?

According to Blick, manuka honey can range in price from $2 per ounce to over $14 per ounce, depending on its grade or Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) level, which we’ll discuss shortly. The higher the grade, the greater the price — and the more bioactive compounds, such as methylglyoxal, it contains.

"The plant itself is quite rare. Harvesting it is challenging because the flower only blooms for 12 days, and in some cases, we have to use helicopters to gather the honey," said John Rawcliffe, administrator of the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), in an interview with Business Insider.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)

How can you be confident that you're purchasing a high-quality product and not a subpar imitation? This is where the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association steps in. The UMFHA is the primary governing body for the New Zealand honey industry. Manuka honey producers licensed by the UMFHA must follow strict regulations to earn the UMF quality label, ensuring their honey meets the standards outlined in the UMFHA's grading system.

"These standards are extensive and include independent lab testing of product samples to confirm the presence of unique signature markers, in the correct combinations, that are found in manuka honey before it is allowed to carry the UMF quality seal. The honey must also be sourced from New Zealand and comply with the New Zealand Government's definition and standard for manuka honey," explains Rawcliffe in an email interview.

What Is the Flavor Profile of Manuka Honey?

But what if you're not particularly concerned with the supposed healing properties of manuka honey? Some people simply prefer its deep, earthy flavor over the more standard varieties found in local stores. "While many consume it for health reasons, a lot of people also enjoy the thicker, creamier consistency of our manuka honey," says Blick. "It undergoes a special creaming process to smooth out the natural honey crystals, creating a velvety texture."

Others are attracted to manuka honey because of its trendy New Zealand origins, akin to enjoying a fine wine from southern France. "Much like wines, we’re seeing distinct regional varieties within New Zealand that boast unique tastes and hues," says Rawcliffe.

The Conflict Intensifies

However, this distinct New Zealand character has stirred up a wave of controversy. The excitement surrounding this unique treat has sparked a complicated, ongoing legal dispute that could strain the relationship between New Zealand and Australia.

Manuka honey is derived from the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium flower, which is also known by other names like Tea Tree and Red Damask. Although this shrub is native to New Zealand, as the value of manuka honey increases, other countries are eager to capitalize on its booming market. Australian companies have jumped into the manuka honey rush. However, New Zealand beekeepers argue that the Australian version cannot truly be called manuka honey, and they are taking legal action against Australia over who holds the rights to the trademark."

Honey producers in New Zealand have filed trademark applications not just within their own country, but across the European Union, the United States, Britain, and China. Australian producers have contested some of these claims with their own filings. As demand for manuka honey rises, especially among China’s expanding middle class, there are increasing concerns over counterfeit manuka honey brands emerging in other regions.

"This is a highly intricate issue, much like the prolonged legal and political struggles that were required to safeguard the Champagne brand," says Rawley. "The protection of the term 'mānuka honey' for New Zealand reached a significant milestone with the announcement that the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) had approved the term as a proposed certification mark." IPONZ ruled in favor of the Mānuka Honey Appellation Society, which Rawcliffe mentions represents most manuka honey producers in New Zealand.

In addition to preserving the manuka honey brand, there is an equally important reason for keeping the honey tied to its place of origin: cultural preservation. The production of manuka honey has its roots in the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand, who regard manuka as their treasure (taonga).

"Manuka is an unquestionably Māori word, carrying significant cultural meaning for the Māori people and a deep connection to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Using this term outside of the New Zealand context without respect for its cultural importance is inappropriate in today’s world," says Blick.

The UMFHA also emphasizes that consumers expect a certain level of authenticity and premium quality from UMFHA-certified manuka honey products. "We aim to reassure consumers that when they purchase products with the UMF quality mark, the mānuka honey name, and the New Zealand badge of origin, they are buying a genuine product, not a counterfeit," says Rawcliffe.

Maintaining the trademark within New Zealand can help ensure that only high-quality products carry the seal of approval, preventing counterfeit honey from saturating the market.

"Ultimately, cheap perfume is just that—cheap perfume. If you seek the authentic product, you must be willing to pay for the quality and the processes that come with it," says Rawcliffe.