Perhaps our most famed international honey; Manuka Honey hails from New Zealand and is well known for its medicinal properties.
Manuka honey comes from the shrub-like tree that is part of the Myrtaceae, or myrtle, family. The manuka plant has been known by several other names including the tea tree. The manuka bush has a tough, hard narrow trunk with peeling bark and grows on average to about 25 feet tall. The leaves of the manuka bush have a prickly texture, and in the spring, manuka blossoms with white flowers.
Manuka Honey is monofloral, which means the honey is coming solely from the bees feeding off of the manuka bush. Manuka honey is one of the most viscous honeys, giving it a think, creamy consistency. Manuka typically ranges from a light coffee color to dark brown. The taste is herbaceous and earthy with floral hints. Manuka honey bakes well in lemon meringue, mixes well into hummus, and can compliment blue cheese.
But the delicious taste is not even the most exciting fact about manuka honey- manuka honey is one of the world’s most medically potent honeys. All honeys have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but manuka honey has some of the highest quantity of the components that contribute to these properties. One of the components that makes honey anti-bacterial is the level of methylglyoxal, or MG. The higher the level of MG in honey, the more anti-bacterial that honey is, and manuka honey has some of the highest levels of MG of all the honeys out there. In order to rate manuka honey, beekeepers and honey producers created the Unique Manuka Factory scale (UMF). In order to have the outstanding medicinal properties manuka is touted for, the honey must have over 10 on the UMF scale.
Manuka has been proven to heal minor wounds and burns, and helps to ward off infection. Researchers and doctors have also hypothesized that manuka honey can reduce high cholesterol, treat gastrointestinal problems, prevent periodontal disease, and help to heal ulcers. Although more research needs to be conducted, we can safely say manuka honey is good for you and tastes good too!
If you would like to purchase our Manuka Honey, just click here: Buy Manuka Honey
Asheville Bee Charmer
38 Battery Park Ave
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
