Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive? Top 7 Reasons
Why is manuka honey so expensive? Manuka honey is a pricey variety of honey with a flavor and quality that are unmatched by anything else. But the cost of it frequently prevents consumers from making frequent purchases.
In addition to being a tasty component in cooking and baking, honey provides many health advantages.
Many people believe that honey only originates from flowers, although virtually any plant can produce it.
Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive?
Bees that pollinate the Leptospermum scoparium, often known as the manuka bush, which is primarily found in New Zealand and Australia, produce manuka honey.
Although there are many different varieties of this bush, none of them provide the blooms bees require to make manuka honey.
1. Only Found in New Zealand
The Leptospermum scoparium tree is the source of manuka honey. The word “manuka” itself comes from the Mori term for Leptospermum scoparium that is used locally.
The tree is uncommon because it exclusively grows in New Zealand. This is due to the tree’s inability to grow elsewhere.
It needs a certain climate that can only be found in New Zealand. Although the tree can be cloned and grown in a lab, the quality might not be the same. Additionally, it is expensive, which raises the cost even more.
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2. It’s Graded for Health Benefits
Honey is said to be healthy, according to several medical professionals and researchers. However, not all honey is graded in order to establish its nutritional value.
It is manuka or honey. Its honey undergoes a grading and classification process because it has so many beneficial health effects.
Each jar of honey is taken to a lab where different aspects of it are examined. To gauge how significant the honey’s health effects will be, researchers are examining its strength.
3. Testing & Certification
The New Zealand government has set extremely stringent testing requirements for manuka honey.
The Ministry of Primary Industries, which oversees these testing, makes sure that all Manuka Honey exported from New Zealand has been examined and found to meet a minimal level of specific chemical indicators.
Members of the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) are subject to rigorous testing and grading criteria in addition to the first level of government testing requirements to fulfill an even higher standard.
4. Weather Conditions
Manuka honey is revered as liquid gold by many. That is due to how challenging it is to obtain.
The weather is one aspect that significantly affects how much honey can be harvested each season. The trees are exposed at all times of the year.
Even after the honey has been removed by beekeepers, they are still at risk. One of the problems that manuka trees face the most frequently is cold weather.
5. Bee Health
For the production of manuka honey, plants are not the only important factor. Bees play a key role. They produce honey through their activities and pollinate the tree. The issue is that sick bees can occur.
Not all types of bees can survive at such a high elevation. The performance of the bee might be impacted even by temperature. That makes bees sick as well.
When the queen of a particular type of bee dies, the entire hive perishes. The other bees will also fall unwell if she gets sick. There won’t be any honey without bees.
6. UMF Grading Costs
A UMF-rated jar of honey will cost a lot of money, so be prepared for that. These honey jars are among the priciest ones.
This is due to the UMFHA inspecting each jar of honey that is submitted to them to ensure its quality and purity. The company performs a number of tests on specific honey qualities when it is submitted.
The honey will then be graded in accordance with their research conclusions. Each UMF jar will have a unique number and logo. The honey is purer if the number on the container is higher.
7. Scarcity
In addition to the current weather, there aren’t many manuka trees. Around 2,800 tons of manuka honey are produced annually by manuka trees.
In contrast, there are 1.9 million tons of honey produced by all other sources. Manuka honey is quite hard to come by because there are only 2,800 tons available.
Manuka honey is in high demand despite its limited availability. Suppliers are able to boost their pricing as more individuals compete to obtain it.
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What is so Special about Manuka Honey?
Manuka isn’t raw honey, but it is specialized. It’s antibacterial and bacterial resistant. This means that bacteria shouldn’t be able to build up a tolerance to its antibacterial effects.
Manuka honey is said to be effective for treating everything from a sore throat to clearing up blemishes on your skin.
Is Manuka Honey Worth the Extra Money?
A UMF of 10+ or higher is considered therapeutic; you’ll get the honey’s unique benefits. (The equivalent MGO is 100+.)
What is the Difference Between Manuka Honey and Normal Honey?
The main difference between manuka honey and normal honey is that manuka honey is derived from the bees that feed on the manuka plant native to New Zealand, whereas normal honey is a sweet, sticky yellowish-brown fluid made by bees and other insects from the nectar collected from flowers.
What are the Benefits of Manuka Honey vs. Regular Honey?
Manuka honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties are key players in treating wounds.
It’s also worth noting that manuka honey has a lower pH than most honey, which can help promote optimal wound healing.
“Manuka honey can help speed up the healing process,” says Flora. “It can also help prevent infections.”
What Is The Healthiest Honey In The World?
As Hunnes hinted at, manuka honey, which is made in Australia and New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush, is commonly believed to be the godfather of healthy jars of honey.
Who Should Not Take Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is exclusively from New Zealand and boasts more medicinal properties than other honey. Manuka honey may treat inflammatory skin conditions, heal wounds, and improve oral health.
Do not use manuka honey if you have diabetes, an allergy to bees, or are under the age of one.
What Honey is Better Than Manuka?
Some scientists claim that some Kanuka honey has even higher levels of MGO than Manuka honey. That means its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties could be even stronger.
Kanuka honey’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties could make it especially helpful in healing burns, bruises, and other wounds. “Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive?”
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Can You Eat Manuka Honey Every Day?
Manuka honey is safe for most people to consume – have 1 to 2 tablespoons each day to experience any reported benefits.
You should not have more than 2 tablespoons of manuka honey a day, as it is high in sugar. If you’re diabetic or are allergic to bees, speak to your doctor about taking manuka, honey.
Does Manuka Honey Expire?
Honey doesn’t really expire. It has been said that it remains as good as when it was extracted.
As long as it is stored properly (out of direct sunlight, not exposed to direct heat, and isn’t frozen) it will last well beyond its best before date. “Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive?”
Is Manuka Honey a Hoax?
New Zealand is trying to trademark the manuka honey name, saying it’s long been the source of the real stuff.
Australia insists theirs is legitimate since it’s from the same tree.) Controversy aside, most of what’s sold in New Zealand is manuka honey—that is, unless it’s fake.
Because higher-quality manuka honey is even rarer than common or low-grade manuka honey, the price rises along with the quality of the honey. Don’t hesitate to share with others. Keep visiting our page.
CSN Team.