Most frequently asked questions about Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is a highly nutritious, special kind of honey that comes from the Manuka flower nectar gathered by the bees in New Zealand. Manuka is a Maori word that refers to the medicinal flower that grows on both New Zealand's North and South Islands. Manuka Honey is a completely natural, holistic, bio-available and biodegradable product.

Are all honeys organic?

NO! AgriQuality NZ, recognized by USDA Organic in the USA and ECOCERT CANADA, the certifying Canadian Organic Body, certifies our OMA honey range. This means our honey is free of pesticides, chemicals and antibiotics unlike non-organic Manuka honeys. Our bees have not been fed Indonesian white refined sugar in the wintertime; our hives are made with environmentally friendly material and situated more than 5 KM from intensive farming. This prevents the bees from receiving any exposure to agricultural chemicals, as their normal flying zone is up to 3 km from their hives. Our Manuka Honey activity levels are also reached naturally and have not been artificially tampered by man.

Some Manuka Honey labels read 100% Pure, does that mean it is organic and better than your products?

This is a common marketing scheme that intentionally misleads the consumer as to just what exactly constitutes pure honey. The honey is not 100% Pure Manuka as is suggested, but is in fact, related to a slogan which is "100% Pure New Zealand." No Manuka Honey can in reality be guaranteed to be 100% Manuka because all honeys contain different pollens that occur naturally in the air. Our honey is regularly tested for pollen analysis and contains an industry leading average of over 80% pure Manuka honey pollen count, with the other 10 to 20% being airborne pollens such as Clover or Kamahi.

Why does the honey crystallize?

Crystallization is normal in any type of honey. Creamed honeys like our products have been slightly heated up to slow down the crystallization process. However, low temperature and timing is necessary to preserve the raw unpasteurized state of the honey. Therefore, our honey is provided to you in the best form you could expect it to be, which is being full of the immune boosting, original nutrients, vitamins, minerals and beneficial live enzymes.

Is Manuka honey related to the Tea Tree in Australia?

Yes, Manuka Honey originates from the Manuka bush (Tree), which is in the same family as the Melaleuca in Australia, otherwise known as Tea Tree, both of which are world renown for their vast healing properties, Manuka having an additional antiseptic solution, not found in other honeys.

Can I find Manuka growing in other countries?

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand from the nectar of Manuka flowers. Manuka is an indigenous Maori word, therefore it is native to New Zealand. Being a part of the Leptospermum scoparium variety, the Australian "Jelly Bush" honey should just be called precisely that, as it typically produces a honey that is very noticeably very different in taste and texture. However, despite these big differences, the Australians can technically somewhat call their jelly bush honey as being Manuka because they are somehow related through the Genus Leptospermum. There are approximately 150 non-medicinal varieties of Leptospermum in existence that are not all related to the Tea Tree, nor do ALL the varieties originate from New Zealand.

Why is there a number on my jar of Wedderspoon Manuka Honey?

The activity number refers to the antibacterial level that has been found in the honey when tested in an independent laboratory. For example a jar containing the Organic Manuka Active (OMA) 16+ label means that the honey has been objectively tested and proven to contain an equivalent of 16% antiseptic solution.

Is it a case of "the higher the Activity the better?"

NOT NECESSARILY. Some brands of Manuka honey contain Activity 20+ and above. There are instances where some companies are manipulating the activity of the New Zealand Manuka honey in order to reach unnaturally high levels such as 20+ and above. With an intentionally manipulated high activity level, such unethical practices often yield different consequences such as a lack of knowledge on how the honey would actually react on your skin or when it is ingested. It is very well possible that this abnormally high activity level non-organic Manuka honey may be quite detrimental to your health.

The activity in all our Organic Manuka honey has been reached naturally and our delicious OMA 16+ is very safe to eat and has not been artificially manipulated by man! An interesting fact to note, seven years ago, there were no commercial Manuka honeys available with an activity level above 19+ as such results were found on a very small scale at the time.

How do I take Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey can be taken by the heaping teaspoonful up to 3 times a day depending on your condition. For example, for general digestive maintenance a teaspoon taken daily, at least half an hour before any food is ideal. If you are suffering from stomach ulcers, indigestion or other stomach issues you may want to take up to three heaping teaspoons per day on an empty stomach. You can also spread it on a dry cracker or a piece of organic bread.
For topical (external) use, the honey can be applied sparingly onto a clean wound and left uncovered. Apply as often as you feel it is necessary.
Please note: Seek medical advice before using Manuka honey to treat open wounds or an infection.

Can I mix the honey with a hot drink or will I kill the antiseptic levels?

Yes, you can mix it in hot water, as the antiseptic levels remain stable under heat, light or cold conditions but for optimal use, we do strongly recommend to have it consumed raw by the teaspoonful at each time taken.

How do I store my Wedderspoon Manuka honey once it has been opened?

Our Organic Manuka honey can be placed in normal storage conditions, as it won't spoil, sitting in your cupboard. In fact, bacteria would have a pretty hard time developing in our honey. However, if the product has been altered, treated with pesticides or chemicals as is commonly the case with non-organic Manuka honey, there is a greater chance of it spoiling or going bad. Because our honey is certified organic and therefore thoroughly free from any pesticides or chemicals, there is no need to refrigerate our products before or after opening. Therefore, you can RELY on our honey for long periods of time and not have any of your money wasted!

Which activity level of Manuka honey best suits my needs?

For everyday use we recommend the OMA 12+, as this contains a slightly milder activity level most suited for digestive maintenance. The OMA 16+ is what we recommend when a little extra boost is needed to deal with wounds, gastro-intestinal disorders such as acid reflux, Helicobacter pylori, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, peptic ulcer, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or even heartburn.

What is the difference between OMA ™ and other brands or trademarks?

Our superior quality Organic Manuka honeys have been independently tested for their respective activity levels using the same objective testing method developed by the Waikato University in New Zealand. The OMA stands for Organic Manuka Active, which combines the active ingredient found in the Manuka honey with the organic certification, therefore providing a much higher standard than other brands. Other trademarks only endorse the activity level tested in their own privately approved lab, leaving no room for independent, objective third party testing. Since we utilize external testing, we have the utmost confidence in the superior, proven quality of our products.

Can I find Activity levels in other honeys?

Yes, in fact, our Organic Beechwood Honey also has been tested to contain the same activity found in Manuka Honey. Other honeys such as Clover also contain activity levels, although they are present in very low amounts. Manuka honey is known to contain generally the highest activity levels of all honeys, so why settle for any less?

Why is there no expiration date shown on my jar?

Our highly nutritious Organic Manuka Honey, unlike other types of honey, including non-organic Manuka honeys, will never spoil. In fact, the longer you leave it, the better or more concentrated it becomes, like a vintage fine wine!

I am currently diabetic. Can I use your Manuka Honey?

Honey may be included in a diabetic diet, but diabetics must comply with the medical regime and diet instructions prescribed by their individual health care providers, to keep blood sugar levels under control. Honey is a natural product unlike white refined sugar or sugar substitutes such as Aspartame. Scientifically, honey is considered to be "opposite" to conventional sugar. It might then be worth including in your diet, with moderation, for the numerous intrinsic health benefits!

NO! The important reason is that once you boil, heat, microwave or cook the originally raw, unpasteurized honey, you start to deform its naturally intact, perfect molecular structure, basically, in other words, JUST RUINING IT! When the honey’s enzymatic structure is damaged through high temperatures, it becomes unstable, glue-like and may consequently become a toxic substance that is totally foreign to the human or animal body. Raw honey contains glucose oxidase, an enzyme that produces a mild antiseptic when mixed with a bit of water. This enzyme is destroyed by heat and pasteurization. That is why it cannot be found in commercial honeys (Peter Molan, MD, “Honey Research”). Organic Manuka Honey with its strong medicinal properties, or any honey for that matter, was never created with the intention of being pasteurized or manipulated for consumption or for resale as a commercial honey. Natural, organic, non-commercial honey created by the bees is perfect to start with, so why interfere with the infinite wisdom of Mother Nature? She always knows best!

I know Organic Manuka Honey is great for adults and children above 1 year of age. Can I give it to an infant aged younger than 12 months?