Buying Manuka Honey – The Ultimate Guide

Are you looking to buy Manuka honey and want to know in advance how to tell if it’s genuine Manuka honey? Then you’ve come to the right place. Manuka honey from New Zealand is considered one of the most valuable types of honey in the world and is growing in popularity thanks to its unique properties. Combined with its unique taste, these qualities make it a widely used and sought-after natural product. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything about the key quality criteria, where to buy Manuka honey, and the best strategies for buying Manuka honey at a good price.

 

Buy Genuine Manuka Honey - Look for These Quality Characteristics

Genuine Manuka honey is an extremely potent natural product. Since the 1980s, scientific research has focused on, among other things, the antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey. Since then, many promising studies have been conducted on the effects of Manuka honey, gradually revealing its great potential.

If you want to buy genuine Manuka honey, you should know that genuine Manuka honey is produced exclusively in New Zealand and is very rare. This makes it unique, but also makes it susceptible to counterfeits or inferior blends. Therefore, look for the following quality characteristics when purchasing. This way, you can be sure that you are buying genuine Manuka honey and not a counterfeit.

 

The MGO value (methylglyoxal)

The most important factor in identifyinggenuine Manuka honey is the MGO rating. It indicates the level of methylglyoxal (MGO) in the honey. For example, a Manuka honey with an MGO rating of 300 contains at least 300 mg of MGO per kilogram. Unlike other honeys, Manuka honey has a much higher concentration of methylglyoxal. This gives it its special properties. The higher the MGO value, the more intense and potent the Manuka honey. Typical grades range from MGO 100+ to MGO 800+. A lower value is sufficient for everyday enjoyment, while higher MGO values are usually used for specific purposes.

 

Official certifications and laboratory analyses

Reputable manufacturers who sell genuine Manuka honey typically provide comprehensive certifications, to make it as easy as possible for their customers to verify the authenticity and quality of the honey. Here at Manuka Valley, we provide the following analyses for each of our Manuka honeys. Each analysis is conducted by independent laboratories and can be viewed on our website:

• Certified MGO content: You’re guaranteed to get exactly what’s on the label.
• Certified purity: 100% Manuka honey, unblended with other honeys
• Guaranteed free of glyphosate and pesticides

 

Sustainable packaging

High-quality suppliers bottle their honey in dark jars to protect the delicate ingredients from light. Here at Manuka Valley, we also ensure that not only the jars but also the lids are recyclable. To this end, we use lids made from sustainable bamboo.

If you'd like to buy Manuka honey from us, you can also take advantage of our refill offer. Simply send your empty jars back to us and receive a 10% discount on your next purchase.

 

Texture and flavor

Genuine Manuka honey has a creamy to firm consistency and ranges in color from light brown to dark brown. The flavor is intense, slightly tart, and distinctly different from conventional blossom honey. As the MGO value increases, the flavor becomes more tart and intense. This is an indicator of the authenticity of the Manuka honey.

 

Buy Manuka honey from New Zealand

Genuine Manuka honey comes from New Zealand. There, the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium) grows in the necessary density, enabling bees to produce wonderfully intense honeys with MGO levels exceeding 1000 MGO.

Here at Manuka-Valley, we import our Manuka honey directly from New Zealand. To do this, we work with local, family-run beekeepers. You can learn more about our partners in New Zealand here.

As described earlier, we have every batch of Manuka honey we import from New Zealand tested here in Germany by independent laboratories. This ensures that our Manuka honey meets and exceeds European and German quality standards. This way, you can be sure that here at Manuka Valley, you’re getting genuine Manuka honey from New Zealand—tested and certified.

Of course, you can buy Manuka honey directly from New Zealand. However, you’ll have to deal with customs duties, high shipping costs, and other drawbacks. That’s why we recommend buying Manuka honey from a reputable German supplier that prioritizes transparency and certified quality.

A strong sign of transparency is a tracking system that allows you to trace every jar of Manuka honey back to its origin. Here at Manuka Valley, you’ll find a jar code on every jar, which you can enter on our Track & Trace page. You’ll then receive detailed information about where, when, and by whom the honey was produced. You can also view all laboratory analyses.

 

Which Manuka honey to buy – What you need to know about different MGO levels

Not all Manuka honey is created equal—the MGO rating is what matters. This indicates the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey. The higher the MGO content, the more potent the Manuka honey is in terms of its unique properties. Below is an overview of which MGO variants are best suited for which applications.

• MGO 100+: Ideal for daily use. One teaspoon in the morning, taken on its own or in tea, supports overall well-being. Many people also add it to their cereal or use it as a spread to regularly benefit from its positive properties.
• MGO 300+: Often chosen when cold symptomsbegin to appear. Let one spoonful dissolve slowly in your mouth to soothe your throat and pharynx. It also works wonders when mixed with warm water and lemon.
• MGO 400+: Well-suited for external use on the skin. It can be applied directly to dry patches or chapped lips. Many people mix it with plain yogurt or aloe vera to create a nourishing face mask.
• MGO 550+: A stronger version that is often used for specific applications. Users report taking this version undiluted several times a day for acute infections or applying it topically for skin problems such as eczema, pimples, or irritated skin.
• MGO 800+: This is the highly concentrated premium grade. It is particularly useful when a strong effect is desired—such as for persistent symptoms or as post-operative support. Some people also use it for severe sore throats, chronic skin problems, or as a natural remedy for stomach issues.

 

Examples of specific applications:

• One teaspoon of MGO 300 at the first sign of a sore throat.
• Apply a thin layer of MGO 400 or 550 to chapped lips.
• Pure MGO 800 for acute infections or severe skin problems.
• A weekly face mask with MGO 400 and yogurt for clear skin.

This makes it clear: Lower MGO levels are ideal for everyday use, while higher levels are specifically used for treating symptoms or for skincare.

 

Where can you buy Manuka honey?

The question "Where can I buy Manuka honey?" depends primarily on your personal preferences. Some people like to support local businesses and appreciate personalized advice. If that's the case for you, you can buy Manuka honey here:

• Health food stores and organic grocery stores
• Pharmacies
• Well-stocked supermarkets
• Delicatessens
• Specialty honey shops and beekeeping operations

 

Buy Manuka honey online

Online stores are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to local shops. Here, you can quickly and easily place an order from home and have your items delivered right to your door. You don't even have to get up to buy your Manuka honey.

But trust is the key factor, especially when you want to buy Manuka honey online. On platforms like Amazon or various online stores, sellers are quick to make big promises to potential buyers, but unfortunately, these are often empty promises rather than genuine quality. That’s why, when shopping online, it’s especially important to look for quality criteria such as certified lab results and MGO content. We’ve already provided a list of quality criteria to look for when buying Manuka honey above.

Of course, the issue of trustworthiness and transparency also plays a role in large supermarket chains. There, too, it is difficult to have a face-to-face conversation with those in charge in order to get a sense of the quality.

When it comes to trustworthiness, small, specialized shops are usually unbeatable. Their owners have been passionately dedicated to their products for years. That’s why they can offer their customers truly informed and comprehensive advice. Plus, they’re personally responsible for their store’s reputation. For them, it’s a matter of pride to offer the best possible quality. At least, that’s how one imagines it. In practice, however, even in specialty shops, you’ll often be fed certain “facts” that, in hindsight, turn out to be more like sales clichés than the truth. So here, too, it’s important that you get to know the salesperson and get a sense of their character before you buy Manuka honey.

Another downside: At a deli, you usually pay significantly more for the same quality than at an online store.

 

Where to Buy Manuka Honey – Online or In-Store?

Both options have their pros and cons. But what if you could combine the benefits of both ways of shopping?

At Manuka Valley, we do our best to combine the trustworthiness of that friendly deli around the corner with the convenience of an online store. Above all—and this is the most important thing—we do everything we can to deliver the highest-quality Manuka honey to you. See for yourself:

• We provide detailed lab results for each of our Manuka honeys, which you can download directly from the product page.
• On every jar of Manuka honey, you'll find a tracking code that lets you use our Track & Trace page to see exactly who harvested the honey in that jar and where.
• It goes without saying that the MGO content of our honey is laboratory-tested and certified.
• On our About Us page, you can meet our beekeepers and staff and get a sense of what we do.

In addition to our high level of transparency and quality, you’ll of course also benefit from our other advantages as an online store:

• Low prices on certified Manuka honey
• Free shipping in Germany
• Fast and convenient delivery right to your door
• Simple and secure ordering process (SSL-encrypted)

If you want to buy authentic Manuka honey, Manuka Valley is the perfect place for you :)

 

8 Tips for Buying Manuka Honey at a Good Price

If you want to buy genuine Manuka honey, it comes at a price. Authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand is a premium product, and that’s reflected in the price. Nevertheless, here are a few tips on how you can buy Manuka honey at a reasonable price without having to compromise on quality.

A fair price for genuine Manuka honey MGO 300+ is, for example, between 30 and 50 euros per 250-gram jar. You should be skeptical of prices that are significantly lower than this. Because even if you want to buy Manuka honey at a low price, you should never compromise on quality. Offers that are too cheap are often a sign of:

• Counterfeit products
• Blended honeys
• Expired goods or
• Unscrupulous providers

 

As a general rule, it’s better to spend a few extra euros to ensure you’re buying authentic Manuka honey. However, there are specific ways you can buy high-quality Manuka honey at a reasonable price:

• Buy Manuka honey online: Online stores are usually cheaper than local shops. If they can provide clear proof of the honey’s quality, they are a good choice.
• Subscribe to the newsletter for special offers: Online stores frequently run special discount promotions, which they announce to their customers via newsletter. Here at Manuka Valley, for example, you’ll receive a 10% discount coupon when you subscribe to the newsletter.
• Larger sizes: Larger jars are usually significantly cheaper per 100 grams than smaller jars. Here at Manuka Valley, the 1200g jar of MGO 300 costs only three times as much as the 300g jar, even though it contains four times the amount. So there’s a lot of potential for savings here.
• Special promotions: Black Friday, Christmas, or spring sales are great opportunities to buy Manuka honey at a discount. Since it has a long shelf life, you can stock up on a small year’s supply during these sales.
• Save on shipping costs with a minimum order amount: Many online stores waive shipping fees for orders over a minimum order value of, say, 50 EUR. Here at Manuka Valley, shipping within Germany is free anyway.
• Buying from German-speaking countries: Instead of buying Manuka honey directly from New Zealand, it is usually easier and more affordable to buy Manuka honey from reputable importers in German-speaking countries. This way, you save on customs duties and shipping costs and avoid long delivery times. In addition, reputable importers ensure that each batch of honey is thoroughly tested by independent laboratories and meets the highest quality standards.
• Group orders: Ask your family and friends to join you in placing a larger order. Often, you can get great discounts on larger orders. Feel free to email us at kontakt@manukavalley.de if you’d like a discount on a large group order. We’d be happy to work something out with you.
• Manuka Valley's Refill System: Another great way to buy Manuka honey at a great price is our Refill System. Simply send back your empty honey jars and receive a 10% discount on your next order.

 

Bottom line: High-quality Manuka honey comes at a price, but you can still save a surprising amount of money when buying Manuka honey if you shop smart.

 

Buying Manuka Honey – The Bottom Line

Before you decide to buy Manuka honey, it’s important to carefully check the seller. Does their product meet all the quality criteria we’ve listed in this guide?

When buying Manuka honey from New Zealand: Always make sure it comes from New Zealand and has reliable quality certificates. Be skeptical of low prices. They are usually a sign of inferior, adulterated Manuka honey or even counterfeits.

Which Manuka honey to buy: Choose the right MGO grade for your needs. For specific uses, you can opt for Manuka honey with an MGO rating of 400 or even 800. For daily routine use, a lower variant such as MGO 300 is sufficient, which is also significantly cheaper than higher MGO variants.

Buy Manuka honey at a great price: Sign up for our newsletter to take advantage of special promotions like Black Friday. Place a large group order with friends and family and enjoy generous discounts.

Authentic Manuka honey is a powerful natural product that can significantly enhance your well-being. So invest in high-quality honey and enjoy the invigorating effects of this wonderful gift from the untouched nature of New Zealand.

 

Our Manuka honeys

Manuka Honey 300 from New Zealand – Certified & lab-tested
Our Manuka Honey 300 MGO – creamy, mild, and wonderfully sweet. Guaranteed MGO content, traceable back to the harvest, and perfect for everyday enjoyment.

Manuka Honey 400 from New Zealand – Certified & lab-tested
Creamy Manuka Honey 400 MGO from sustainable beekeeping – guaranteed MGO content, intense flavor, and versatile uses.

Manuka Honey 500 MGO from New Zealand – Certified & lab-tested
Experience the rich, caramel-like flavor of our Manuka Honey 500 MGO. Guaranteed MGO content, traceable, and sustainably produced.

800 MGO Manuka Honey from New Zealand – Certified & lab-tested
Its exceptionally high MGO content makes 800 MGO Manuka Honey a rare treasure that is particularly prized by connoisseurs.