Yes, manuka honey can absolutely be made in Australia, as the Leptospermum (manuka) plant is native to both Australia and New Zealand, with Australia having a much greater diversity of species, producing potent honey with high antibacterial properties (MGO). Australian producers harvest nectar from these native plants to create high-quality manuka honey, often comparable to or exceeding New Zealand varieties in potency.
Australia produces some of the most potent, best tasting Manuka honey in the world due to our warm climate and diverse number of Leptospermum (Manuka) varieties.
Manuka honey is made from bees collecting nectar from the Leptospermum species of plants. Leptospermum plants grow in Australia and New Zealand, with Australia having around 84 varieties and New Zealand have two varieties.
The Science Behind It: Why Australian Manuka is Stronger
Recent studies show that Australian Manuka Honey contains up to three times more Leptosperin than New Zealand Manuka. Leptosperin is a natural compound that confirms the authenticity and potency of Manuka honey.
Although New Zealand remains the largest producer, mānuka honey is also harvested in Australia from related Leptospermum species, creating competition over branding and market access. Globally, mānuka honey accounts for a small fraction of total honey volume but a disproportionately high share of value.
How to identify authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand
Delight in the purest taste of New Zealand with our Aldi Manuka Honey, a testament to the rich, unadulterated nectar sourced from the region's renowned manuka bushes.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
The "best" Manuka honey in Australia depends on your needs (daily health vs. potent remedy), but top brands known for quality and high potency include Biosota Organics (offering very high MGOs like 2000+), AB's Manuka, Australia's Manuka, and Manuka Health, with potency measured by MGO (Methylglyoxal) or UMF ratings, where higher numbers mean stronger antibacterial activity. Look for independent testing and higher MGO/UMF for therapeutic use, while lower MGOs (like 100+) are great for everyday wellness.
Is UMF or MGO Better? UMF is a more comprehensive grading system, while MGO is simpler and more direct to test. Because they measure different aspects of mānuka honey, neither system is inherently more reliable than the other.
There's no single "world #1" honey, but Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey is often called the "World's Best" for its awards, while Manuka Honey from New Zealand/Australia is famous for its potent antibacterial properties (UMF/MGO ratings) and health benefits, making it a top contender in terms of perceived value and medicinal use. Other highly-rated honeys include Greek honeys for their polyphenols, and unique varieties like Mexican Avocado Honey.
Buy Manuka Honey online at Chemist Warehouse and enjoy huge discounts across the entire range. Shop products online, in store or via click and collect today.
Capilano Active Manuka Honey has a deliciously sweet, smooth flavour with no overpowering 'medicine' flavour, common in some Manuka honeys. It is completely pure and hand-harvested by our Aussie beekeepers.
A Manuka honey is real if the label shows a UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor) rating of 10+ or higher. That rating means it's been tested for the special compounds that make Manuka honey unique. Real Manuka honey also comes from New Zealand or Australia, and the label should say so.
The "3 feet, 3 miles rule" is a beekeeping guideline for moving hives: move them less than 3 feet (so they find the new spot easily using landmarks and scent) or more than 3 miles (so they're forced to reorient to a completely new landscape). Moving them an intermediate distance (e.g., 50 feet to 2 miles) confuses forager bees, causing them to return to the old, empty location and get lost.
Honey Can Last 3,000 or More Years… and Still Be Eaten! Explore the fascinating role of honey in ancient Egyptian culture and its use as both a sacred offering and a provision for the afterlife.
More is more: Australia's unmatchable variety of Manuka
The diversity of Australia's Manuka trees is vastly superior to New Zealand. Australia is home to 83 species of Manuka, 12 of which have bioactive, medicinal properties, making them ideal for high-MGO Manuka production. In comparison, New Zealand has only one.
The healthiest Australian honeys are typically Stingless Bee Honey (Sugarbag) for its low GI and unique sugars, and high-activity Jarrah or Manuka honeys, known for strong antibacterial properties (high MGO/TA ratings) and antioxidants, making them great for wellness, immunity, and even wound care. Raw, unprocessed varieties, like those from Eucalyptus species (Jarrah, Marri), preserve more beneficial compounds, offering superior health benefits over heated honey.
Yes. Capilano honey is 100% pure Australian honey. There's absolutely nothing added, it's just as nature intended. You can learn more about the purity of our honey and the rigorous testing we do to ensure you enjoy the world's purest, best tasting honey here.
Although you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal or yoghurt, the best way to take Manuka Honey is straight from the jar. It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night. It is safe to have 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of Manuka Honey daily, but always remember to moderate how much you consume.
The USDA states that honey is safe to eat even after expiration, but its quality may decline. Honey expiration is rare; naturally, properly preserved honey can last thousands of years without expiring. Archaeologists have found honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that is still perfectly edible.
A honey well known for its antibacterial properties is manuka honey, which is obtained from manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) and contains substantial amounts of methylglyoxal (MGO). Methylglyoxal harbors selective toxicity to bacterial cells, causing bacterial cell death and inhibition of bacterial replication.
It's from New Zealand
Look for honey that has been harvested, packed, and labelled in New Zealand. This will be written on the jar. In 2017, the UK trademark registry gave the New Zealand Manuka Honey Appellation Society a certification mark for the term 'Mānuka honey'.
The Case for Recycled Plastic (rPET)
Safe and effective: rPET protects the product and ensures the safe delivery of Manuka honey without compromising its quality.