What is Manuka honey?
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One of the top trends at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show was Manuka honey. It featured prominently In the category called Wordly Fare. This trend includes high quality foods produced around the globe that feature trustworthy markers of authenticity or traceability. It was incorporated into delicacies from lollpops to salmon.
Manuka honey is a type of honey produced in New Zealand and Australia from the nectar of the Manuka tree, also known as Leptospermum scoparium. This unique honey is renowned for its distinct flavor and purported health benefits. The Manuka tree, native to these regions, blooms for a short period each year, providing bees with its nectar, which results in a honey known for its rich, earthy taste and thick consistency.
More than traditional honey, this honey is highly valued for its potential medicinal properties. It’s often used in natural remedies due to its reputed antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it popular for wound care, sore throat relief, and skincare. The strength of these benefits is often attributed to a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which is found in higher concentrations in Manuka honey compared to other types of honey.
Manuka honey is graded using a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating system, which measures the concentration of MGO and other compounds believed to contribute to its health benefits. This grading system helps consumers identify the quality and potency of the honey they are purchasing. Available in jars or bottles, Manuka honey can be found in specialty food stores, health food stores, and online retailers, where it’s prized not only for its distinctive taste but also for its potential therapeutic uses.
Taylor Pass Honey Co. Mānuka Honey Pops & Drops, was one of many exhibitors at the Fancy Food Show, leveraging fully traceable Mānuka honey from New Zealand, guaranteed to have a UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) of 5+ or higher.
