Mānuka Honey vs Regular Honey: What’s the Difference?
New Zealand Mānuka vs local honey, which is better? I’m sure you’ve heard "Buy local honey, it’s better for you, plus it’s half the price of Mānuka Honey!".
The world of this golden nectar is confusing, with so many opinions out there! Knowing what is actually best for you, your needs, and your lifestyle can be extremely contradicting.
Read on to learn about the main difference between Mānuka honey vs normal honey.
Local Honey & allergies
One of the many reasons people suggest that you should get your local honey is to protect yourself from the allergens in your area.
The theory: your local raw honey contains pollen from the plants that affect your allergies, and eating it will help soothe and prevent flare-ups.
However, more often than not, the bees are not foraging from the things that are affecting your seasonal allergies - e.g. Grass, Hay, Birch, Cedar, Ragweed, Nettle, and Elm. So, really, you’re not getting half of the pollen you think you’re getting. The reality: Bees think there are better flowers to collect from than the ones you’re allergic to!
The benefits of raw honey
You may have heard of the Mānuka honey vs raw honey debate. Another reason why people push for local honey is because they believe that it’s a ‘less processed honey’ than some regular honey.
The theory: In its raw state, honey contains natural vitamins and living enzymes. (Hence why many people opt for raw honey instead of regular honey!)
Given there is no strict legal requirement for claims and labelling of raw honey, it can be really hard to know exactly what you’re looking for.
Generally, a honey company would call honey ‘raw’ if it has had minimal heat interference, meaning the honey hasn’t been heated up past 33-38 degrees Celsius. Our Mānuka honey is considered raw as we do not heat our honey past the temperatures found in the hive. Learn more about raw Mānuka honey.
A huge variety of honey on the market is raw, not just that from your local beekeepers. (If honey is pasteurized, it’s not raw honey. Creamed honey is, by definition, raw if it’s from a trusted producer.)
Why real Mānuka honey?
Mānuka honey has stronger antibacterial properties compared to every other honey found in grocery stores. Mānuka honey is often referred to as ‘medicinal honey’ because of its high antibacterial and antimicrobial activity! It contains a high concentration of methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound that gives Mānuka honey its antibacterial activity. Many people use Mānuka honey products for both general well-being and targeted health benefits such as treating wounds and enhancing immunity against pathogens. Our UMF 20+, UMF 18+, and UMF 15+ Mānuka Honey products contain effective medical-grade honey, while our UMF 5+ and UMF 10+ Mānuka Honey products are great for everyday wellness.
Topically applying Mānuka honey can assist with wound healing and tissue regeneration because of its antimicrobial properties, hydrogen peroxide, amino acids, and phenolic acids. Honey from Mānuka trees has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to relieve sore throats, mouth ulcers, sore gums, stomach ulcers, and even acne and dry skin. Mānuka honey supports good gut bacteria and a healthy digestive system. It’s also been used to help cystic fibrosis patients fight respiratory bacteria.
Our genuine Mānuka honey can be traced from the Mānuka tree to the beehive to home. Our New Zealand Mānuka honey is independently tested, so you can trust that it is genuine and quality honey. Mānuka honey has a Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF rating). The higher the number on the UMF rating system, the more potent.
So, which should you go for - local or authentic Mānuka honey?
When looking at your grocery store shelf, the question of Mānuka honey vs local honey is certain to arise. There are many reasons to buy from your local beekeeper, but if you’re looking for honey with health benefits, nutritionally speaking, New Zealand Mānuka honey is the one for you! Research has shown that Mānuka honey has medicinal properties that can help with healing wounds, soothing a sore throat, and much more. Future research into Mānuka honey will likely uncover even more benefits for your health!
However, if you're looking for a sweet treat on your morning toast or want to add a great taste to your hot drink, a local regular honey could be the best option. Both Mānuka and regular honey are very sweet, so it’s best to have just one tablespoon to limit your sugar intake.
Want to read more about the health benefits of Mānuka honey, including its antimicrobial activity and ability to heal wounds? We’ve written about how to get all the benefits of New Zealand Mānuka Honey’s wound-healing properties. Read about how local Mānuka honey differs from regular honey and why it’s worth the higher cost.
