Honey Valley Manuka Honey is sourced from the native forests of New Zealand and sought-after for its complex, unique and delicious flavour.
Sourced from the honey of bees that gather pollen from the evergreen, native Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) bush growing mainly in New Zealand's subtropical North Island and to a lesser extent in the temperate South Island, our Manuka Honey is a very smooth, rich, dark and intense honey with complex caramel, and toffee flavours as well having hints of coffee, coconut and hazel nut.
 
In culinary circles, Manuka Honey is used as ingredient in salad dressings, sauces and marinades as well as lemonades or on its own poured over ice cream or yoghurt.
 
 
TRY IT! $23.95

Honey Valley Manuka Honey Blend
  
  
  
$33.95 
Honey Valley Manuka Honey UMF5+
 
 
$43.95
Honey Valley Manuka Honey UMF10+ 
 
 
 
 
The Science behind it All
 
 
What Is UMF?
 
UMF was first discovered by Dr Peter Molan, MBE, of Waikato University's Honey Research Unit, which found a more powerful and stable anti-bacterial property called UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) in some strains of Manuka honey.
 
This UMF is additional to the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property, and together, these properties have a synergistic effect that enhances their effectiveness.
 

There are Two Types of Manuka Honey:
 
1.UMF Manuka Honey with both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property plus its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency. The name UMF is the seal and trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry and is available for use only by licensed users who must meet set criteria.

Health Applications

UMF Manuka Honey (UMF10 is minimum level) has enhanced antibacterial potency giving it special healing qualities. This makes it the preferred honey for special therapeutic uses.

Certification
 
The presence of the UMF property can be detected only by special laboratory testing.
Samples of honey are sent to a specially appointed laboratory for testing for antibacterial activity using criteria laid down by the Honey Research Unit at Waikato University, New Zealand. These tests measure the presence of and level of the UMF antibacterial property.
 
The name UMF is a guarantee that the honey being sold has the special UMF antibacterial property to at least the level indicated on the label. It applies only to honey packed in New Zealand and tested after each batch is packed. It does not apply to honey in drums, etc still to be packed, nor to honey not packed in New Zealand.
The name UMF is followed by a number indicating the strength of the UMF property after the honey has been packed in New Zealand. A UMF rating of 10 is the minimum.

How is it tested?
 
1.Total Activity rating which measures. Most honeys have a Total Activity rating with activity being due to the hydrogen peroxide property. Total Activity does not identify the UMF property.
 2.UMF Activity rating indicates the strength of the UMF property. For this test, a catalyse is added to the honey sample to remove the hydrogen peroxide so that all that is measured is the strength of the UMF property.
 3.
 The UMF activity rating is the most important when identifying manuka honey with the special UMF property.
 
The UMF Ratings (measure of antibacterial strength):
0-4: Not detectable
 5-9: Maintenance levels only (a nice table honey but not recommended for special therapeutic use)
 10-15: Useful levels endorsed by the Honey Research Unit at The University of Waikato
 16 and over: Superior levels with very high activity.
 
UMF Research
1. In laboratory studies the UMF property has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria including the very resistant helicobacter pylori (this bacteria causes most stomach ulcers), the wound-infecting bacteria staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli, streptococcus pyogenes (causes sore throats).
 
Also, the UMF property is very stable, unlike the fragile hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honey.

2. Studies are showing UMF Manuka Honey with high levels of UMF could be very effective in promoting sound gut/intestinal health, and when applied topically, in assisting the natural healing process. .
 Studies are also showing the UMF property helps make UMF Manuka Honey excellent for soothing throats.