A Deep Dive into Monofloral Honey

Have you ever noticed that honey can taste completely different, depending on where it comes from?

Here at Midlands, we’re dedicated to the magic of monofloral honey. Just like single-origin coffee, each honey variety boasts a unique flavour profile - from light and floral to rich and complex.

As manufacturers dedicated to producing quality Mānuka honey, Midlands offers a complete supply chain solution for businesses seeking the finest monofloral products. We work closely with beekeepers all over the country to source unique monofloral honey, each with its own distinct character.

In this piece, we’ll explore the properties and benefits of New Zealand's finest, monofloral honey type and show you how to elevate your brand with Midlands - the leading Mānuka suppliers and private label manufacturers.

Monofloral honey isn’t just about amazing taste, it offers a range of unique properties that appeal to discerning consumers and businesses alike.

So, if you’re curious about this special type of honey and how it can benefit you, keep reading!

What is Monofloral Honey?

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: what exactly is monofloral honey? Simply put, it’s honey that comes mainly from the nectar of one type of flower.

Think of it like this: if you were to taste a spoonful of clover honey, you’d mostly be tasting the essence of clover blossoms. Bees are naturally drawn to different flowers at different times of the year, depending on what’s in bloom. When beekeepers place their hives near a large area with just one type of flower, like Mānuka, the bees primarily collect nectar from that single source.

This results in a honey with a distinct flavour and character that reflects that particular flower.

Getting that pure flavour depends on a few things. Firstly, it matters where the beehives are located. Different regions have different flowers blooming at different times. The climate also plays a role - a rainy season can affect which flowers blossom and how much nectar they produce.

Also, it’s possible for beekeepers to influence the type of honey produced when they carefully place their hives near specific flower sources. It's a delicate dance between nature and human skill.

A Brief History of Monofloral Honey

Honey has been a prized treat for centuries - ancient civilizations including the Greeks and Egyptians loved their honey. They used it to sweeten food and drinks, as medicine and even as part of religious ceremonies.

They might not have called it “monofloral honey” back then, but they definitely noticed that honey tasted different depending on where it came from. Imagine, ancient Mānuka suppliers unknowingly harnessing the power of this unique honey!

Over time, societies learned more about bees and how to keep them - instead of just finding wild beehives, they began to build their own and keep bees closer to home. This meant the supply of honey was more steady, they could even start to influence what kind of honey the bees produced, perhaps even crafting early versions of private label honey.

Think about it: if you were a beekeeper in Ancient Greece surrounded by thyme bushes, you’d probably end up with honey that tasted strongly of thyme. This is how people started to produce specialised honey types, even though they might not have fully understood the science behind it, much like the early manufacturers of monofloral honey.

It was understood, however, that certain honey flavours were better for specific purposes. Maybe the honey from orange blossoms were best for coughs, or the honey from rosemary was better suited for baking.

It was all about observation and experience, passed down through generations. This knowledge was what eventually led to the appreciation of the quality Mānuka flower and its unique properties.

In the pre-colonial era of New Zealand, the Mānuka tree and its flowers were commonly found around coastal areas. While technically a tree, Mānuka is most often seen as a shrub and has profound use and meaning to the indigenous Māori population.

Then in 1839, the honey bee was introduced to New Zealand by Methodist missionary, Mary Brumby. It is documented that Brumby brought two hives to the country when she landed in Hokianga. There were bee species in New Zealand before Brumby’s arrival, but they were not suitable, or capable of producing any honey.

It was here that beekeepers became more common, as the New Zealand bush proved to be a fruitful environment for bees. Particularly in the Bay of Islands, it was noted the Māori population would sell honey and, in fact, they became the first commercial beekeepers in New Zealand, perhaps even the first Mānuka suppliers in a way.

Apiarists flourished at the turn of the previous century - there were approximately 100,000 hives in the country by 1929. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that Dr Peter Molan discovered the existence of pure monofloral Mānuka honey.

A highly-regarded biochemist, Molan not only discovered this unique honey came from a single source, which was (by definition) monofloral honey, but also discovered the unique bioactive ingredient methylglyoxal (MGO). This interesting component is found in most honey varieties but is found in large concentrations within monofloral Mānuka honey.

This discovery paved the way for modern Mānuka suppliers and the focus on quality Mānuka.

Why is Monofloral Mānuka Honey Important?

The monofloral honey market, particularly for quality Mānuka, has experienced significant growth in recent years due to increasing consumer demand for natural and organic products. This is especially true in New Zealand, where Mānuka suppliers contribute significantly to the economy.

Mānuka honey exports from New Zealand constitute over $500 million annually. Its rich, earthy taste is quite different from your usual honey, and studies suggest it can help with everything from sore throats to supporting your immune system. This has led to a surge in businesses seeking private label Manuka honey products.

But here’s the thing - not all Mānuka is created equal.

Just like with wine, the quality and flavour can hugely vary depending on where the Mānuka flowers grow, the climate and how the honey is harvested and processed.

While all Mānuka honey comes from the nectar of the Mānuka tree, there are key differences between monofloral and multifloral Mānuka honey - especially when it comes to testing and quality.

As stated earlier, monofloral Mānuka honey is predominantly sourced from only Mānuka flowers, with a distinct Mānuka flavour and aroma. To be classified as monofloral, it needs to meet specific criteria which is set by the UMFHA - which includes the pollen count and DNA markers.

Multifloral Mānuka honey, however, will contain the nectar from both Mānuka flowers and other floral sources. While it still possesses some Mānuka properties, the flavour and potency may be less pronounced compared to monofloral Mānuka.

That’s where Midlands comes in.

As the country’s leading monofloral Mānuka honey suppliers and private label manufacturers, we’re committed to delivering only the finest monofloral Mānuka honey - carefully sourced from different regions of New Zealand, to capture the unique characteristics of each area.

Because monofloral Mānuka is such a core part of our business, we have rigorous testing and certification processes in place to ensure the safety and purity of our honey. This gives you peace of mind when it comes to purchasing our products - whether you’re after smooth, creamy Mānuka honey with a delicate flavour or an intense, bold one with a higher UMF rating, we’ve got you covered.

As private label manufacturers, Midlands has state-of-the-art facilities, including an in-house laboratory, ensuring that nothing but the purest monofloral Mānuka honey is produced. We guarantee each of our customers will receive high-quality wholesale Mānuka honey that meets the strict regulations of domestic and international markets.

As a result, we guarantee each of our customers will receive high-quality wholesale Mānuka honey that has been nurtured to pass the strict regulations of domestic and international markets.

This matters because monofloral Mānuka honey has become an increasingly popular ingredient in food, skincare and wellness products. Thanks to its native properties, many food enthusiasts have turned to Mānuka as an earthy-yet-sweet flavour enhancer.

Natural skincare is another industry on the rise - monofloral Mānuka is a critical ingredient in several skincare brands, particularly those based in New Zealand. From moisturisers to hair care, pure Mānuka honey is noted for its properties that increase the moisture content within the skin.

Thanks to its native properties, many food enthusiasts have turned to Mānuka as an earthy-yet-sweet flavour enhancer. In fact, one of Midlands Apiaries' existing retail brands, PURITI, has an entire section on the website dedicated to recipes.

Natural skincare is another industry on the rise - monofloral Mānuka has seen a rise in use as a critical ingredient in several skincare brands - particularly those based in New Zealand. From moisturisers to hair care, pure Mānuka honey is noted for its properties that increase the moisture content within the skin.

Additionally, customers annually stock up on Mānuka honey products before the winter chills arrive. While consumers commonly eat pure monofloral Mānuka honey straight from the jar, Midlands Apiaries also provides Mānuka honey in several other variations - making us the ideal partner for businesses seeking diverse private label options.

Purchase Quality, Monofloral Products With Midlands Apiaries

Looking for a reliable Manuka honey supplier?

Midlands is your perfect partner. Whether you're in skincare, food production, or retail, we have the expertise and technology to fulfill your private label needs. Our extensive network and dedicated sales & marketing team can even help you launch your own brand of quality, monofloral Mānuka honey products.

As a leading global Mānuka supplier and private label manufacturer, we prioritize quality and traceability. Each batch of monofloral Mānuka honey is independently tested and certified to meet the strictest standards. Partner with Midlands and confidently deliver premium Mānuka honey products to your customers.

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