If you are in the search of Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive? then this article is for you. Manuka Honey is a monofloral honey. The honey is obtained from the bees feeding on the manuka tree. Manuka honey is an eternally healthy sugar substitute. Manuka trees are found in New Zealand. Jelly bush and Golden tea trees are used to obtain Manuka Honey in Australia. It tastes oily, sweet, earthy, and rich in flavor. This honey has immense anti-bacterial properties to treat mouth ulcers, sore throats, and sore gums.
There is no mass production of Manuka honey. The rarity of the product makes the price very exorbitant. They have grown in only one or two locations. The anti-bacterial properties and many health benefits have created a grapple between – the restaurant industry and the beauty industry.
Flowers Get Flourished Only For A Few Weeks A Year
The Manuka flower blossomed only for 2-6 weeks per year. Bees have only 12 days to collect the honey. The tasks are more, in limited time. It takes 22000+ times for the flower to curate nectar and results in only one jar of honey. Bees have only 10-12 days for accumulating nectar from the flower. Other than a rarity, many other reasons make the Manuka Honey so precious and its price so expensive.
Exceptional Qualities
As mentioned earlier, Manuka honey is entirely different than regular honey. The benefits are 20x more than your regular honey.
- High levels of MGO and phenolic acids, these antioxidants help to fight viral infections.
- Positive impact on oral health and improves the immune system. It kills bacteria which causes severe diarrhea.
- It prevents gums diseases and is equally beneficial to the chemical mouth wash. It reduces dental plaque.
- It kills chickenpox and Shingles virus. Honey safeguards you from bacterial infections i.e. staphylococcus.
- In the past few years, it is widely utilized in the beauty and cosmetic industry. It boosts energy levels if used daily.
Manuka Flowers Are Not Omnipresent In The World
These flowers are rare. They are found in remote forests and hills of New Zealand. It represents only 1% availability of the total honey. The trees/flowers are not adaptive to climate/ weather change. They are grown in a peculiar climate. Flowers are far away from human interference & pollution. Honey is to claim to be healthier if they are far-flung from human contact.
Perseverance By Bees
Bees accumulate nectar and harvest the Manuka honey. The flower blooms from March to September. Each bee ramble to a very long way to get manuka. The distance could be 5 to 6 kilometers. The work is started when one source is found and the complete colony puts an end until the nectars are exhausted.
Since the manuka flowers are monofloral, it makes them more extravagant to purchase. In extreme conditions, it creates affects production. For instance, a change in temperature affects bees’ performance. Or if the queen of the beehive dies, the complete colony is wrecked.
Identifying Real Manuka Honey
Purchasing an extravagant product that results in a fake one is disappointing and frustrating. Here are some hacks to identify between real & fake Manuka Honey.
- Procure The Honey That Is Packed From New Zealand.
Adulteration in food is utter common in the market. Often regular honey or manuka honey is thinned/diluted with sugar syrups. Majorly, the Real manuka honey is produced only in New Zealand. Thus, make sure to grab only those bottles.
- Look Over To The Numbers Mentioned In A Jar
Observe the compounds mentioned on the side of the jar. It should show a compound MGO. It provides anti-microbial properties. Lower the rating of MGO, weaker the value of the honey.
- Observe The MGO Power
MGO (methylglyoxal) is one of the vital anti-microbial compounds found in Manuka honey. The range begins from 30 and reaches 840. Higher MgO power indicates stronger anti-microbial properties. As mentioned earlier, the adulteration of honey is commonly found in the market. The dilution with sugar syrup can affect the rating of MGO.
- Do Not Delude Over Low Price
A genuine Manuka honey is high-priced than regular honey. If the cost displayed is much lower than the regular honey, then it may turn out to be a fake product. Look out for reputable brands’ products to purchase. The bottle may cost around $30 for 250 grams. The bottles are not available in every grocery store.
Conclusion
Manuka honey is one of the rare and precious kinds of honey found in the world. They are procured from Manuka trees that are in New Zealand. Due to huge demand, the rarity of the flowers, and immense beneficial qualities make the price of the Manuka honey this much expensive. The price ranges from $30 for only 250 grams jar. Sometimes, they may adulterate with sugar syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is multi-floral Manuka Honey?
Bees play a crucial role in the process of any type of honey. Thus, when bees accumulate nectar from the Manuka plant and additionally from other plants, they are assorted for Multifloral Manuka. Methylglyoxal (MGO) ranges from 30 to 70.
2. What are the side effects of consuming Manuka Honey?
The side effects are not fatal. If consumed in huge quantities, the blood sugar will rise. It is not suitable for people who have allergies to bees.
3. Does Manuka Honey expire?
No, not only manuka honey but any regular honey does not expire. It should be the same consistency. It should not get exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Avoid freezing the Manuka honey. However, it is safe to consume the honey before its expiry date.
4. How to store Manuka Honey?
It is not mandatory to store the honey only in the refrigerator. Storing at room temperature will not spoil the honey.
