Unpacking the Manuka Honey Maturation Process

The potency of your Manuka honey is about more than the Manuka flower and the bees. Like a fine wine or aged whiskey, Manuka honey undergoes a carefully controlled maturation process to allow the MGO to reach its optimal level.

Bloom

The Manuka flower blooms
for up to six weeks across
the remotest parts of New Zealand.

Extraction

Once flowering has finished,
Beekeepers carefully extract the
Manuka honey for optimal purity.

Forecast


Once harvested, Manuka honey is
tested and a scientific forecast is
produced to guide optimal maturation.

Maturation

Maturation can range from 1 to 36
months. The higher the MGO potential,
the longer the maturation process takes.

Testing

All our honey is independently tested
to certify the UMF™ rating and
levels of MGO before packing.

Storage

Manuka honey, stored correctly below
20 degrees, has an indefinite shelf life
retaining its purity and optimal health benefits.

Bloom

The Manuka flower blooms for up to six weeks across the remotest parts of New Zealand.

Extraction

Once flowering has finished, Beekeepers carefully extract the Manuka honey for optimal purity.

Forecast


Once harvested, Manuka honey is tested and a scientific forecast is produced to guide optimal maturation.

Maturation

Maturation can range from 1 to 36 months. The higher the MGO potential, the longer the maturation process takes.

Testing

All our honey is independently tested to certify the UMF™ rating and levels of MGO before packing.

Storage

Manuka honey, stored correctly below 20 degrees, has an indefinite shelf life retaining its purity and optimal health benefits.

Understanding Your Manuka Honey Label

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LABEL

1. Date of Production

When your honey was packed after maturation?

As a global Manuka honey brand, each country has requirements for how we label our honey jars. In the UAE, the date of production (not the more common best-before date) is required. Even if this was some time ago, New Zealand Manuka honey has an indefinite shelf life and is safe to consume.

2. RMP | Harvest Year

When your honey was collected from the hive?

Manuka honey is harvested immediately after the Manuka bloom for optimal purity and then stored for maturation.

3. Packaging Date

The packaging date is the same as the date of production, or in other words, when your honey was put in the jar.

4. MGO

MGO is the naturally occurring compound in Manuka that gives the honey its unique antibacterial potency. We recommend using the MGO level together with UMF™ for a broader, more accurate indicator of your honey's authenticity, purity and quality.

5. UMF™

UMF™ is one of the most widely used Manuka honey grading systems. The comprehensive and robust testing approach makes UMF™ the most reliable marker of pure and authentic Manuka honey.


The three-step testing process includes:

  • 3 in 1 test (DHA/MGO and HMF)
  • Manuka 5 Test (3-PLA, 2-MAP, 2-MA, 4-HPLA 
and DNA)
  • Leptosperin Test

The higher the resulting UMF™ rating, the more potent the healing properties in your honey.

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