Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive? Is It Really Worth the Price?
Why is manuka honey one of the most expensive kinds of honey in the world? Its high price comes from the fact that it is hard to find, has a short harvest season, and kills bacteria very effectively.
It is only made in New Zealand and Australia, and the methylglyoxal (MGO) in it makes it healthy in a special way. This article talks about why Manuka honey is so expensive, what it does, how it's different from regular honey, and whether you should add it to your daily routine.
Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive?
Limited Geographic Production
Manuka honey primarily comes from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium, a plant native to New Zealand and parts of Australia. However, the purity of manuka honey depends on whether it is predominantly derived from this species.The manuka bush only blooms for four to six weeks a year, which makes it hard to harvest. Honey bees only have a short time to collect the sweet nectar from these flowers, which limits production.
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Places that are far away: Beekeepers have to move hives to remote areas with lots of manuka trees.
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Short flowering season: The small bloom window makes manuka honey worth more.
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Dependence on the weather: Bad weather can lower honey production, making it more scarce.
Unique Health Properties & Certification
Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound with antibacterial properties. However, its effectiveness varies based on MGO concentration, which is rated through Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) certification. In contrast to regular honey, it has good chemicals in it that help wounds heal and reduce swelling. Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) certification is needed to make sure it is real.
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MGO & UMF ratings: Higher numbers indicate stronger antibacterial properties.
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Monofloral manuka honey: Made mostly from manuka flowers, increasing purity.
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Genuine manuka honey: Certified for authenticity, ensuring it’s not mixed with other honey.
Which Is the No. 1 Best Honey in the World?
Manuka Honey – The Golden Elixir
Manuka honey is highly valued due to its high methylglyoxal (MGO) content, which gives it antibacterial properties. Unlike regular honey, its antibacterial effects persist even after hydrogen peroxide degrades. People use this golden elixir for many health reasons, like soothing sore throats and taking care of their skin.
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Strengthened antibacterial properties: Improves digestion, immunity, and skin health.
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Monofloral honey: For purity's sake, monofloral honey is only made from manuka flowers.
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Tested medical uses: Helps wounds heal and reduces inflammation.
Other Top Honey Varieties
Nourishing honeys like mānuka are very popular, but other high-quality types are also valuable.
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Sidr Honey (Yemen): Known for its rich caramel taste and traditional medicinal use.
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Elvish Honey (Turkey): Harvested from caves, making it the world’s most expensive honey derived from wild sources.
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Acacia Honey (Hungary): A mild, low-GI special honey with long shelf life.
Why Is Manuka Honey So Special?
Exceptional Healing Properties
Manuka honey is renowned for its high quality and bioactive compounds, particularly its antibacterial and wound-healing properties, though it should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment.Unlike honey from other flowers, this one has methylglyoxal (MGO) in it, which kills bacteria very effectively. These qualities make it the best honey for health and wellness.
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Supports wound healing: Helps with burns, cuts, and infections.
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Soothes skin conditions: Used for eczema, acne, and irritation.
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Aids wellness support: Boosts immunity and digestion.
Strict Certification & High Cost
Real Manuka honey is put through a lot of tests to make sure it is the best quality. The rating system checks the levels of MGO and Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) to make sure the product is pure and effective. There is a high price for Manuka honey because it only grows in a few places and only flowers for two to six weeks.
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Grown in limited areas: Only found in parts of New Zealand and Australia.
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Labor-intensive production process: Requires skilled beekeeping techniques.
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Environmental stressors: Climate and weather affect annual yield.
Is Manuka Honey Healthier Than Regular Honey?
More Potent Than Other Honey Varieties
Compared to other types of honey, manuka honey has more health benefits. It has more MGO, which makes its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects stronger. Manuka honey is commonly used as a complementary remedy for wound healing and sore throats, though it is not a replacement for medical treatments.
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Supports gut health: It helps with digestion and getting rid of gas.
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Better for sore throats: It kills bacteria better than other types of honey.
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Encourages well-being in general: Boosts your energy and immune system.
How It Compares to Regular Honey
Manuka honey is rated using certification systems like UMF and MGO, which measure its antibacterial potency and purity. Normal honey has hydrogen peroxide in it, which loses its effectiveness over time. But Manuka honey's antibacterial properties stay strong because of its special compounds.
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More powerful antibacterial properties: Manuka honey fights infections better than honey from other plants.
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A medical professional suggested: Often used to treat wounds in hospitals.
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Keeps its potency longer: It works even after being processed.
Is It Okay to Eat Manuka Honey Every Day?
Safe Daily Consumption & Dosage
Consuming manuka honey in moderation may support digestion and immune health, but excessive intake should be avoided due to its high sugar content. But because it has a lot of natural sugar, it's important to drink it in moderation. One to two teaspoons a day is what experts say is best for you. If you have any health problems, you should talk to a doctor before using.
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Boosts the immune system: Makes the body's natural defenses stronger.
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Helps balance gut bacteria, which makes digestion better.
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Improves skin conditions: Can be put on the skin to treat acne and eczema.
Who Should Limit Their Intake?
Manuka honey has other health benefits, but some people should limit how much they eat. People who have diabetes should keep an eye on their blood sugar levels, and babies younger than one year should never eat it.
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Type 2 diabetics: natural sugar may change your blood sugar levels.
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For babies younger than one year: Not safe because of bacteria.
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People who are following a low-sugar diet should not eat too much.
What FullyHealthy Can Do for You
A Trusted Source for Authentic Manuka Honey
It can be hard to find real manuka honey, but FullyHealthy guarantees quality. Its specialty is single-floral honey, and the products it sells are carefully sourced to meet UMF certification standards. If you want to add manuka honey to your diet, FullyHealthy has options you can trust.
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Strict quality control: Guarantees only genuine manuka honey.
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UMF-certified selection: Ensures high MGO levels for maximum benefits.
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Reliable sourcing: Works with ethical beekeepers from New Zealand.
Manuka Honey Products Available at FullyHealthy
FullyHealthy has special honey products for skin care and health. These are great for sore throats, wound healing, and skin care because they reduce inflammation.
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Balm of Gilead Manuka Honey Cream (4 oz): A soothing moisturizer with manuka-derived ingredients.
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Manuka Defense Healing Balm (2 oz): Ideal for minor cuts and burns.
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Manuka Defense Healing Lip Balm (.15 oz): Hydrates and protects chapped lips.
Final Thoughts
With a lot of MGO, manuka honey is of the highest quality and provides more health benefits than other types of honey. As a result of its short flowering period, it is very rare and must meet strict purity standards.
For gut issues, skin care, and immune system support, it's used. Despite being expensive, it is worth it for the health benefits. When picking a jar, make sure it's real by looking at the rating system.
FAQs
Why does Manuka honey have high levels of MGO content?
Manuka honey contains unique compounds that naturally increase MGO content, giving it strong antibacterial properties.
Can Manuka honey help with gut problems?
Yes, Manuka honey is beneficial for gut problems, helping digestion and reducing inflammation compared to other types of honey.
Why is Manuka honey harvested in such a short period?
The manuka tree blooms for a short period of two to six weeks, making production limited.
How can I check if my jar of Manuka honey is real?
Look for a rating system like UMF certification and check for rigorous standards on the jar label.
Is Manuka honey better than other types of honey?
Yes, Manuka honey has high levels of MGO content, stronger antibacterial effects, and follows rigorous standards, unlike other types of honey.
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