The Comvita Manuka Honey Guide: How to Spot the Real Deal

The hype going on about manuka honey nowadays is understandable. People claim that they have found gold in a jar – and why not, when the ‘superfood’ has proven to treat numerous ailments and health issues?

Amid growing hype among consumers are the numerous manuka product claims that assert their purity. Unwary buyers never suspect them to be imitations and continue buying these products from bogus dealers at a high cost.

As a result, they never reap the health benefits as promised and advertised.

Unfortunately, less than 10% of manuka honey sold globally are authentic.

What’s the Hype About Manuka Honey, Anyway?

Unlike typical table honey, pure and authentic manuka honey originates in the lush forests of New Zealand.

Honeybees pollinate the nectar of the elusive manuka bush (a plant only native to New Zealand and Australia). In 1980, biochemist Peter Molan discovered its antibacterial properties.

From that moment, experts conducted numerous studies on it, adding more and more health properties to its growing benefits list.

Significant Benefits of Manuka Honey

Heal Wounds Faster

Manuka honey has antibacterial properties that can enable wounds to heal faster than usual. The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) approved it as an alternative wound treatment in 2007.

Promotes Oral Health

The honey prevents the building of plaque and gingivitis. It attacks oral bacteria that cause bad breath.

Relieves Sore Throat

The antiviral and antibacterial properties of honey make it a very good anti-inflammatory agent. It decreases oral bacteria that cause a build-up of mucus-causing sore throat.

Treat Acne and Soothe Dry Skin

Manuka honey treats wounds and heals them faster, but it also fights acne that irritates the skin. It hydrates dry skin, and decrease inflammation for the infected areas.

Improves Digestion/Prevents Digestive Problems

Diarrhoea, constipation, and loose bowel movement (LBM) are common digestive problems. These are commonly caused by bacteria and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory type of disease.

Use in My Skin and Beauty Regimen

Famous actress Scarlet Johansson has testified to the miraculous properties of manuka honey. The ‘liquid gold’ can be the new fountain of youth as a facial mask. According to a clinical trial, manuka honey has “a serious hydration power”.

Treat Burns Faster

Honey has antioxidants that act as burn balms and soothe burns. With its antibacterial properties, it prevents the burn from being infected. It also speeds the repair of the skin in a natural way.

However, take note that these benefits are only possible if you’re using genuine manuka honey – preferably one that’s medical grade. We’ll explain more below.

How Do I Know if My Manuka Honey Is Pure and Authentic?

There are several ways you can determine if the honey you buy is authentic or not. With many counterfeit products lurking around, it’s not surprising at all that many find it hard to tell real from fake products.

Check the UMF Trademark

UMF stands for “Unique Manuka Factor”, and is the world’s leading recognised quality trademark and grading system of manuka products.

It evaluates beneficial properties found in manuka honey, namely leptosperin, DHA, and methylglyoxal. Check the front label of the product if it has the UMF trademark.

A genuine bottle also comes with the UMF licensee’s brand name and number on the label. The UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) in New Zealand gives this certification that the product has undergone a proper authenticating process.

Buy Only From a Trusted Brand of Manuka Honey

As mentioned before, less than 10% of manuka honey products in the market are genuine. Therefore, it’s safer to buy only from a trusted and known brand.

Comvita is known globally to produce high-grade, pure, and authentic honey. Founded in 1974 in New Zealand, Comvita rose from being a local co-op to become a trusted international leader.

Comvita’s bee farm in New Zealand is the biggest pioneer and honey seller in the country.

Here are some tips to make sure that you’re buying from a genuine seller:

Buy Only From Authorised Stores and Distributors

Counterfeiting has long been a problem. Even trusted brands can be copied despite the security features of the products.

Thankfully, HoneyCity is a trusted distributor of Comvita manuka honey that consumers like you can trust. HoneyCity is Singapore’s authorised dealer of Comvita Ltd.

It has been providing authentic and lab-tested UMF manuka honey since 2015. Always check and transact on the website where you can also check the UMFHA license number!

Buy Only Manuka Honey Preferred by Popular Personalities

Even celebrities and sportsmen around the world go gaga in this superfood. Bloomberg touted Comvita Manuka Honey as the “celebrity-backed honey”.

Besides Johansson, singer-actress Gywneth Paltrow, Olympian cyclist-turned-jockey Victoria Pendleton, and tennis future Hall of Famer Novak Djokovic endorse the honey upon learning the power it can give to them.

It’s no surprise why manuka honey is the gold standard among the many brands of honey in the market!

What Are the Main Components of Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is rich in carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, fatty acids, and phenolic and flavonoid compounds.

What makes it stands out among other honey is the amount of methylglyoxal (MG), its antibacterial component. The UMF rating refers to the concentration of MG and other compounds.

Other important compounds are natural sugars like glucose and fructose.

Health Concerns in Consuming Fake Honey

Aside from not getting the proper nutrition as promised and proven, there are also health concerns if you consume imitation honey.

Fake kinds of honey may contain processed sugars. They contribute to obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Despite the FDA downplaying the immediate danger of consuming fake honey, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

From Hive to Shelf

Comvita delivers authentic manuka honey with their beekeeping system that has been operating for over 50 years. Despite being a homegrown and historic brand, it continues to produce world-class, wild and sustainable honey for generations beyond.

You can check the authentication and license of Comvita dealers below!