THE MĀNUKA HONEY FIELD GUIDE

From the wild landscape to every jar

Discover where genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey begins, how its quality is tested, what UMF™ means, and how to choose the right strength.

FROM THE LAND TO THE JAR

The story behind genuine Mānuka honey

Genuine Mānuka honey begins in New Zealand's remote landscapes, where the native Mānuka plant flowers for only a limited period each year.

This field guide follows the honey's journey from flowering Mānuka and working hives through harvesting, testing and UMF™ certification—and helps explain what to look for when choosing a jar.

Explore the field guide

01

Where Mānuka honey begins

02

The proof behind the grade

03

Choose your strength

04

How authenticity is proven

05

Following the harvest

06

Field questions
01 — THE LAND

Where Mānuka honey begins

Mānuka honey is produced by bees that gather nectar from the flowers of Leptospermum scoparium, the native New Zealand Mānuka plant.
Mānuka flowers for only a limited period each year. Location, weather and flowering conditions influence every harvest, making the landscape an essential part of the honey's story.
FIELD NOTE
The Mānuka flowering season is brief, so timing and hive placement play an important role in the harvest.
02 — THE PROOF

What do UMF™ and MGO tell you?

UMF™ and MGO both appear on Mānuka honey labels, but they measure different things.

UMF™

Independent quality certification
UMF™ is a New Zealand certification system that assesses markers associated with Mānuka honey's authenticity, potency, freshness and shelf life.
  • Authenticity
  • Potency
  • Freshness
  • Shelf life

MGO

One measured compound
MGO refers to methylglyoxal, one of the naturally occurring compounds measured in Mānuka honey. The number indicates its concentration.
  • Measures methylglyoxal
  • Expressed as a number
  • Higher numbers indicate greater concentration
  • Often displayed beside UMF™
UMF™ 5+ MGO 83+
UMF™ 10+ MGO 263+
UMF™ 15+ MGO 514+
UMF™ 20+ MGO 829+
03 — THE STRENGTH

Choose your Mānuka honey strength

The UMF™ grade indicates the concentration of key compounds measured through the certification system. The right choice depends on how you plan to use your honey, your flavour preference and your budget.

UMF™ 5+

Everyday
A versatile introduction to certified Mānuka honey with a milder flavour.
View this strength

UMF™ 10+

Daily ritual
A popular grade for customers making Mānuka honey part of a regular routine.
View this strength

UMF™ 15+

Elevated
A more concentrated grade with a deeper, distinctively Mānuka character.
View this strength

UMF™ 20+

High strength
A premium high-strength option with a greater concentration of measured compounds.
View this strength

UMF™ 24+

Exceptional
An exceptionally high Mānuka honey grade for customers seeking a rare premium product.
View this strength

UMF™ 26+

Rare harvest
A limited high-grade expression representing the upper end of the Manuka Hunters range.
View this strength
04 — AUTHENTICITY

How genuine Mānuka honey is proven

Authenticity is established through recognised origin, testing and certification requirements—not simply by placing the word Mānuka on a jar.
01

New Zealand origin

Genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey begins with nectar collected from the native Mānuka plant.
02

Independent testing

Laboratory testing assesses recognised markers associated with identity and quality.
03

UMF™ certification

The UMF™ mark identifies honey supplied through a licensed member and assessed against the programme's standards.
04

Batch traceability

Batch information creates a connection between the finished jar and the records available for that honey.

Trace your honey

Enter the batch code from your jar to view the information available for your Manuka Hunters honey.
05 — THE HARVEST

Following the harvest

The journey from flowering Mānuka to the finished jar is shaped by the landscape, the season and a carefully managed process.

01

Mānuka flowers

Native Mānuka plants flower for a limited period during the season.

02

Hives are positioned

Beekeepers place hives near suitable flowering areas.

03

Honey is harvested

When conditions and the honey are ready, the harvest is carefully collected.

04

Each batch is tested

Testing establishes the honey's composition, authenticity and grade.

05

Packed for customers

The finished honey is packed and identified with its batch information.

01

Mānuka flowers

Native Mānuka plants flower for a limited period during the season.

02

Hives are positioned

Beekeepers place hives near suitable flowering areas.

03

Honey is harvested

When conditions and the honey are ready, the harvest is carefully collected.

04

Each batch is tested

Testing establishes the honey's composition, authenticity and grade.

05

Packed for customers

The finished honey is packed and identified with its batch information.

THE LAND SETS THE SEASON
06 — FIELD QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Mānuka honey is produced by bees that gather nectar from the flowers of New Zealand's native Mānuka plant, Leptospermum scoparium.
UMF™ stands for Unique Mānuka Factor. It is a New Zealand certification system assessing markers associated with authenticity, potency, freshness and shelf life.
MGO measures methylglyoxal, one naturally occurring compound in Mānuka honey. UMF™ assesses a broader set of quality and authenticity factors.
A higher number indicates a greater concentration of the compounds measured by UMF™, but the right grade depends on intended use, flavour preference and budget.
Store the jar upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with the lid securely closed. Follow the instructions printed on the product.
Honey is naturally long-lasting when stored correctly. Refer to the best-before date and storage instructions on the individual jar.
Yes. To preserve its natural flavour and character, allow boiling water to cool slightly before adding the honey.
Use the batch information printed on the jar and visit the Manuka Hunters Trace Your Honey page.
WHY MANUKA HUNTERS?

New Zealand Mānuka honey. Sought with care. Proven by testing.

Explore UMF™-certified Mānuka honey across a range of strengths, carefully handled and tested in New Zealand.

  • New Zealand sourced
  • UMF™ certified
  • Independently tested
  • Multiple strengths available
Shop Mānuka honey Trace your honey