New Zealand Mānuka Honey
Leptospermum scoparium was originally discovered in New Zealand by Banks & Solander on Captain Cook's first voyage, 1769-1770. We now know that this plant also grows in parts of Australia, but most Australian forms of L. scoparium do not match the range seen in New Zealand. The indigenous Māori called the plant Mānuka. They used the leaves and bark for medicinal purposes and the hard, durable wood to make tools and weapons. Bees collect the nectar from this plant to produce what is known today as New Zealand's Mānuka Honey.
Mānuka - Nothing But The Facts
Don't be fooled by the misrepresentations, false claims and the marketing hype from counterfeit and copy cat producers. We present the facts here so that you can decide the truth.
You have access our extensive library of academic and scientific research on all things to do with Mānuka. Feel free to browse and download.
New Zealand Mānuka Honey
New Zealand Mānuka honey is the most thoroughly researched honey in the world. It is unique. It is the only honey that has a scientific definition. To qualify as New Zealand Mānuka honey 1 DNA and 4 chemical markers must be present.
New Zealand Mānuka honey is derived only from the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium (LS) species. Our team has identified many superior endemic New Zealand LS varieties where DHA levels test at significantly higher levels (some > 29,000 mg/l) than the highest rated Leptospermum species found in Australia (including Leptospermum polygalifolium or Jellybush).
These results suggest that over millions of years, certain New Zealand LS varieties may have evolved differently as a result of the influence of local soils, microclimates, different pollinators etc.
Extensive research over the past 30 years on this and related topics has been completed in New Zealand and by leading international scientists and researchers. There is no equivalent scientific or academic knowledge base for any other honey variety or source nectar. Research is ongoing.
What We Do
We go quietly about our business of restoring and cultivating remarkable land, trees and bees to produce high quality New Zealand Mānuka Honey. We reintroduce indigenous varieties of New Zealand Leptospermum scoparium to our carefully chosen North Island Mānuka Plantation sites to allow current wild growth areas to combine over time with the reintroduced species. We site our hives in pristine natural areas on and near our plantations to encourage reintegration.
We have reintroduced hundreds of thousands of Leptospermum scoparium saplings to our land and strive to preserve the heritage of our indigenous flora.
Contact Us
We love hearing how New Zealand Mānuka Honey and oil is being used. Share your research with us and we will add it to our site for all to read. If you identify any errors of fact, please respond here info@manukafacts.com with details including your supporting references and evidence for our review and consideration. Please note that we can only publish data that is supported by verifiable sources and irrefutable evidence.