How to Test Fake Manuka Honey at Home

Manuka honey is highly prized because of its unique properties as well as the fact it’s a better alternative to regular honey. But how do you know it is real when fake products are so common even Manuka honey has fakes now. How do you know if the Manuka honey you have at home is fake? How do you test its authenticity?

 

Where to Buy Manuka Honey

The real Manuka honey is from New Zealand. That is, almost 80% of the production is from this country. However, more and more products come popping up on American and UK shelves that any shrewd buyer would have to suspect and ask, “Are these Manuka honey products authentic?” Now, you can’t go to a testing lab to know if it is or not like the companies selling them.

Fortunately, there are some at home tests that can help you identify if your Manuka honey is real or not. First of all, however, the quality of Manuka honey, is strictly under the monitor of New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) Manuka Honey Science Definition. Similarly, remember that when international retailers claim they are testing UMF and MGO to ensure jars of Manuka honey meet New Zealand standards, this is misleading. UMF and MGO are nothing to do with the standard. Unless the test is the MPI Manuka Honey Science Definition the claim being made is false. Also, just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it is high-grade Manuka honey. 

There are some tests you can perform at home to help you determine if your Manuka honey is genuine. The real, pure Manuka honey is creamy, thick, and gel-like. The colour of real Manuka honey is amber or dark tan. If you want to spot if it is real Manuka honey, you need to know the consistency of the honey allowing you to detect fake and real honey.

 

The Tests

Here are some tests you can try to find out if your Manuka honey is genuine or not.

• The Put it in the Fridge Test

If it’s anything like fake honey sold in many supermarkets, you can try to put your Manuka honey inside the fridge as a test. Fake honey is made of artificial sugars, which hardens when refrigerated. If your honey is pure Manuka honey, it will not harden and will remain easy to scoop.

• The Water Test

You can also test the purity of Manuka honey using water. Take a glass of water and a tablespoon of Manuka honey. Put the honey inside the glass and wait to see if it sinks to the bottom or dissolves. Fake honey dissolves quickly they say while pure honey settles at the bottom.

• The Thumb Test

In this test, use a small drop of Manuka honey and drop it on your thumbnail. See if the honey spills or spreads around. If it does, that can indicate it isn’t pure. Real honey stays on your thumb, and pure Manuka honey is viscous enough to stay on your thumb as well.

These are some tests you can try at home to ease your worries. However, they are not 100%, and the only absolute way of knowing if it is pure or not is through testing conducted in an accredited laboratory which our PURITI Manuka honey is subjected to. On a side note, there are other indications if your Manuka honey is genuine or not and you should check those.