Why Choose High UMF™ Manuka Honey For Your Brand

As a pristine gift from nature, UMF™ Mānuka honey offers entry-level products all the way to ultra-premium. Depending on the products offered by your business, you may wish to consider honey from across the UMF™ spectrum. However, introducing your products to high UMF™ Mānuka honey is a sure way to increase the luxury nature of your brand.  

Discussing everything to do with high UMF™ Mānuka honey, this article will outline how this ultra-premium variety can deliver an ultra-premium ingredient to your products. Beginning with the biochemistry, we will delve into the details of what makes this some of the rarest and most luxurious honey on Earth. 

What UMF™ Grade Is Considered To Be High? 

The Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF™) is a gold standard of measurement that considers the potency, authenticity, shelf life and freshness of Mānuka honey. Only UMF™ takes into account all four unique, naturally-occurring components:

- Methylglyoxal (MGO)

- Leptosperin

- Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)

- Hydroxymethyfurfural (HMF) 

Ranked between UMF™ 5+ and UMF™ 31+, an extensive range of UMF™-certified grades ensures an authentic product. Grades rated UMF™ 25+ and above are considered to be high and ultra-premium. While these four unique factors are integral to the grade, the MGO levels contribute significantly to the ultra-premium grade.

The concentrations of MGO in the entry-level of UMF™ 5+ is over 83mg/kg. Furthermore, the ultra-premium MGO concentrations of UMF™ 25+ are measured at over 1197mg/kg.  MGO is a bioactive ingredient that has been speculated to showcase antibacterial properties. However, it must be acknowledged that any claim to antibacterial properties is reserved for in-vitro, clinical environments, and not real-life circumstances.

Can UMF™ Be Trusted For Quality?

As mentioned above, UMF™ is universally considered the gold standard of Mānuka honey certification and verification. No other method of analysis considers the extensive factors that determine the purity of Mānuka honey. 

Some Mānuka honey producers will display only MGO or non-peroxide activity (NPA). NPA refers to the additional antibacterial activity measured in honey. Nevertheless, while these are important measurements, a comprehensive verification is required for quality Mānuka honey. Therefore, when purchasing high UMF™ Mānuka honey, you’ll want to ensure that you’re buying the most authentic 100% pure New Zealand Mānuka honey. 

What Products Could Be Used With High UMF™ Manuka Honey?  

You may be a high-end business or looking to release a line of luxury products that include ultra-premium products. Cosmetics, skincare, hair care and food products are some of the items that can benefit from high UMF™ Mānuka honey. 

A luxury touch like no other, adding this ultra-premium liquid gold to your items will elevate them to an exceptional level. The commercial world is currently noticing customers' increased proclivity for sustainable and natural products. Look no further than nature’s very best when considering a natural, raw and luxurious ingredient for your brand. 

Are There Any Benefits To High UMF™ Manuka Honey? 

While the texture and aroma of Mānuka honey generally stay the same throughout the increasing UMF™ grades of Mānuka honey, there are unique intensity changes to the flavour of stronger Mānuka honey. Above we touched upon the carrying concentrations of bioactive chemicals within the varying UMF™ grades, but there have been investigations surrounding the unique properties. 

A 2019 investigation conducted by Girma et al. saw an interesting trend in their antibacterial activity experiment within varying UMF™ grades of Mānuka honey. The results showed that the number of a specific bacteria was reduced in a UMF™ 15+ versus a UMF™ 5+ Mānuka honey. However, we must also note that the results gathered from this test may have to do with the MGO concentration and not necessarily the UMF™ grade. Nevertheless, higher UMF™ grades do correlate with higher MGO levels. 

Midlands Apiaries Can Provide You With 100% Pure New Zealand Manuka Honey

Midlands Apiaries is the perfect partner for your brand. Regardless of your business sits, whether it be skincare, natural foods or genuine Mānuka honey provider - we have all the latest expertise and technology to deliver what you want and when you need it. In addition, our widespread Mānuka honey supply and production operations can work with you to achieve your goals. 

We also offer the services of a highly knowledgeable sales & marketing team. So if you’re looking to bring a fantastic brand to market, our team of professionals can plan a pathway to your launch. With an extensive network of honey supplies and laboratories - Midlands Apiaries can provide your business with everything it needs.

Additionally, as the largest New Zealand supplier of wholesale Mānuka honey globally, Midlands Apiaries knows a thing or two about quality. An accredited, independent laboratory tests each batch of Mānuka honey from Midlands Apiaries for certification. We are very aware of the stringent requirements set forth by UMF™HA (Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association). Our undeniable expertise in crafting Mānuka honey will give your business the necessary confidence to consistently deliver quality products. 

Get in touch with us today for more information about how Midlands Apiaries can make for a beneficial partner in your budding business. 

References: 

Girma A, Seo W, She RC. Antibacterial activity of varying UMF-graded Manuka honeys. PLOS One, 14(10):e0224495. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224495

Johnston, M., McBride, M., Dahiya, D., Owusu-Apenten, R., & Nigam, P. S. (2018). Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview. AIMS Microbiology, 4(4), 655. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655