To choose Manuka honey in Australia, look for MGO ratings (higher is stronger), check for the Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) Mark of Authenticity for purity, and consider its intended use (low MGO for daily sweetener, high MGO for therapeutic benefits like sore throats). Always verify the source and traceability, as genuine Manuka comes from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum), often found in NZ and Australia, but testing ensures quality.
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.
The "best" strength of Manuka honey depends on your goal: lower MGO (30+ to 100+) is great for daily wellness, toast, or drinks; medium strengths (MGO 250+ to 500+) suit sore throats, minor cuts, or digestive issues; while high strengths (MGO 850+ to 1000+ and above) offer potent antibacterial action for severe wounds, ulcers, or specific therapeutic needs, with higher numbers indicating stronger antibacterial potency.
MGO (or Methylglyoxal) is the natural compound found in Manuka honey that gives its unique superpowers. This compound is an important measure of the honey's potency and its antibacterial properties. The higher the MGO level, the more concentrated, and therefore more powerful, the Manuka honey is.
Low to mid grades of UMF 10+ to UMF 15+ are called Therapeutic Grade (good for short term consumption). Lower UMF ratings means less MGO, less MGO means less antibacterial benefits. Generally, higher grade UMF 15+ or UMF 20+ Manuka Honeys are more effective at killing active bacterial infections.
1: Look for the highest UMF™ and MGO grading in your budget
The UMF™ and MGO (methylglyoxal) numbers refer to the concentration of compounds found only in manuka honey and works on a spectrum. The higher the concentration, the higher the grade. Look for: Any grade from UMF™10+ upwards is suitable.
Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a unique, naturally occurring compound found in Mānuka honey that's responsible for its unique properties that help fight germs. MGO occurs naturally in many foods, plants, and animal cells and has germ-fighting properties.
High levels of DHA and/or MGO in MH, react with honey proteins causing isotopic fractionation thus enhancing the apparent C-4 sugar value (Rogers et al. 2014). MH is valued for its phenomenal antibacterial properties which is mostly attributed to its high content of MGO (Beitlich et al. 2014).
How to identify authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand
Manuka Honey 100 MGO (NPA 5+) is known for its beneficial health properties, thanks to a unique compound called Methylglyoxal (MGO). Sourced from the manuka bush in New Zealand, this honey is celebrated for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic qualities.
You can eat Manuka honey every day in small amounts. It's safe for most healthy adults, and it may give you benefits such as soothing a sore throat or supporting digestion. But it's still sugar, so too much can raise your blood sugar or add extra calories.
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 Many Uses of Mānuka
They called manuka “tea tree” for this reason, though that name is now more often used to refer to the Australian tea tree bush.
Manuka honey is generally safe but can cause issues for infants (botulism risk), diabetics (high sugar), and those with bee/pollen allergies (allergic reactions like swelling, rash). Side effects include potential blood sugar spikes, mild digestive upset, or rare allergic symptoms, with caution needed for medicinal use and by people with specific health conditions.
Among these, methylglyoxal (MGO) is the most reactive and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, vascular complications, and several other chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders1,2.
Robinia pseudoacacia honey has the best antioxidant potential among the five honey types. This honey has also the best anti-inflammatory potential than the other honeys evaluated in this work. Flavonoids and organic acids were found in Robinia pseudoacacia honey.
On the lower end of the MGO scale, honeys graded at MGO 150+ are a great option for a natural, everyday treat. Those closer to MGO 250+ can work well as a maintenance dose to support immunity.
Fake products dilute the market, making it harder for consumers like you to find authentic Manuka Honey. Plus, these counterfeits often lack the bioactive compounds that make real Manuka Honey a superfood, robbing you of the health benefits you're seeking.
The 1000 MGO Manuka Honey is our best-selling maximum strength Manuka Honey in the UK. This powerful healer is recommended by doctors for maximum support with your health and wellbeeing® – whether managing an illness or a temporary bout of flu.
To help protect consumers and ensure that you know what you're buying, a range of grading systems were developed. UMF™ is the most popular and trustworthy grading system, followed by MGO.
ConsumerLab.com, a respected US-based independent testing authority, has awarded New Zealand Honey Co.'s UMF™ 15+ Manuka Honey its Top Pick for quality, taste, and value.