Buying Manuka Honey?

Here’s What to look for

At the store looking for the best Manuka Honey for Immunity, several jars lining the shelves, it’s impossible to choose. I am going to tell you a secret– the one thing that matters on a bottle of Manuka Honey is UMF® or its equivalent K Factor TM

Currently, The UMF Honey Association UMFHA estimates that the majority of all honeys labeled “Manuka Honey” on the market are not true to the label as defined by testing nor do they include the beneficial compounds necessary to receive a therapeutic rating.

UMF® (Unique Manuka Factor), is an internationally recognized gold standard grading system for assessing quality, purity, and authenticity.

UMF® is the one and only rating system and scientific measure of unique properties found in honey made from the nectar of the Manuka tree, unique to the forests of New Zealand.

The UMF® certification system has 2 components.

• It verifies the product in question is genuine Manuka Honey.
• It assigns a number that indicates the level of key beneficial compounds present in the honey

UMF® strength can range from 5+ to 20+, with 20+ indicating the highest level of beneficial compounds.

There should be 3 signature compounds indicate a genuine, authentic top-quality Manuka Honey: 

• Methylglyoxal (MGO)
  MGO the compound chiefly responsible for the antibacterial property of manuka honey and forms the basis of the UMF grading system.
• Leptosperin
  Leptosperin is also found in manuka nectar, and due to its unique abundance in manuka honey has been identified as the most discerning characteristic to distinguish manuka honey from other honey types.
• Hydroxymethylfurfural
  This is in the nectar of manuka flowers and converts into MGO once the bees gather the nectar and turn it into honey.

Genuine UMF® Manuka Honey complies with all four of the following criteria:

• The UMF or K Factor TM symbol is clearly stated on the front label. 
• It is packed into jars and labeled in New Zealand. 
• It is from a New Zealand company licensed by UMFHA. Wedderspoon is Licensee #100151. 
• It has a rating of K Factor TM 15+ or more.
• Make sure you are buying the absolutely best quality on the market.