Why Is High UMF™ Mānuka Honey So Rare?

Have you ever wondered why there is such a profound difference in price regarding UMF™ certified Mānuka honey? Why is Mānuka honey often considered to be rare? Does the UMF™ level determine how much of the antibacterial benefits you’ll receive? 

Look no further than this article for all your answers. The Mānuka honey industry is filled with smoke and mirrors, and it’s essential to find truthful information. 

Why Is Mānuka Honey Considered To Be Rare? 

Mānuka honey is derived from the nectar of the native bush, Leptospermum Scoparium (New Zealand Tea Tree). This plant is scarce and only found in a select few locations across New Zealand. Furthermore, to acquire monofloral pure Mānuka honey, the primary flower of the nectar collection must be the Mānuka plant. 

Although New Zealand exports many tonnes of Mānuka honey annually, the operation can still be scarce. Delivering high-quality honey requires the use of modern technology and stringent measuring standards. The Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF™) is the gold standard across the world. A reputable Mānuka honey brand will use the UMF™ certification to prove the necessary measures are met.

To avoid counterfeit products, UMF™ also relies on a specific concentration of chemicals. Several bioactive ingredients need to be present for a UMF™ certification.

Some of these ingredients include: 

• Leptosperin
• Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) 
• Methylglyoxal (MGO) - the chemical responsible for antibacterial activity 

UMF™ understands the rarity of Mānuka honey, and their strict criteria reflect its valuable nature. 

How Does UMF™ Rating Determine How Beneficial The Honey Is? 

As mentioned above, UMF™ requires certain levels of both leptopserin and MGO to determine the UMF™ rating. MGO, specifically, as this is the crucial antibacterial ingredient that gives Mānuka honey positive health effects. 

According to a study conducted by Carbohydrate Research in 2012, the level of MGO is proportional to the antibacterial activity. Thus, there is clear data to indicate a medicinal factor of MGO. However, as high UMF™ Mānuka honey is rarer than most, finding the perfect elixir of natural health is still tricky. 

Why Is High UMF™ Mānuka Honey So Rare? 

To put it simply, high UMF™ Mānuka honey is rare because it requires several different factors to be in place. The first, and maybe most important, is the Mānuka bush. Bees will make the high UMF™ honey when they extract nectar from potent bushes. 

While all Mānuka nectar will lead to Mānuka honey, some nectar has higher levels of MGO than others. Producers can do everything in their power to ensure the best quality Mānuka honey is produced, but the rarity of high MGO remains the same. 

Only a few bottles of ultra-premium Mānuka honey are made annually. This special reserve range covers Mānuka honey UMF™ 25+ to 31+. Subsequently, this is why the price point increases with the higher UMF™. Rarity drives the value of Mānuka honey, and it always will. 

Why You Can Trust The Products Of PURITI 

At PURITI, all of our products are UMF™ certified. Each honey that we sell meets and exceeds the minimum required leptosperin and MGO concentrations set by UMF™HA. As a result, consumers can buy from PURITI with confidence knowing that we are only selling 100% genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey.

PURITI separates itself from many in the current market. Not only do we meet the legal and scientific definition of monofloral Mānuka honey, as set by the New Zealand government. 

PURITI also includes 11 separate anti-counterfeit measures made within our packaging - we provide absolute quality assurance to our customers. In addition, we follow particular methods to sustain our unique monofloral honey composition. As a sacred product of New Zealand, we want to ensure customers receive the best level of quality that PURITI can offer.  

If you’re looking to buy high-quality Mānuka honey online, the great selection of items at PURITI will be the perfect place to browse an extensive range of unique products.