Choosing manuka honey comes down to understanding the grading numbers on the label, knowing which certifications actually matter, and matching the grade to how you plan to use it. The market is full of misleading labels, so a few minutes of knowledge can save you from overpaying for a product that isn’t what it claims to be.
What the Numbers on the Label Mean
Two grading systems dominate manuka honey labels: UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) and MGO (Methylglyoxal). They measure overlapping things, and you can convert between them. MGO refers to the concentration of methylglyoxal, the compound responsible for manuka honey’s distinctive antibacterial properties beyond those found in regular honey. UMF is a broader quality score that accounts for MGO along with other chemical markers.
Here’s how the two systems line up:
- UMF 5+ = MGO 83 mg/kg
- UMF 10+ = MGO 261 mg/kg
- UMF 15+ = MGO 512 mg/kg
- UMF 20+ = MGO 826 mg/kg
Higher numbers mean a greater concentration of the active compound, a stronger flavor, and a higher price. A jar labeled MGO 250 is roughly equivalent to UMF 10+. If a label shows only one system, you can use the conversions above to compare across brands. Be cautious of jars that display a number like “15+” or “20+” without specifying whether it refers to UMF, MGO, or something else entirely. A standalone number with a plus sign means nothing without the grading system behind it.
Matching the Grade to Your Purpose
You don’t need the highest grade for every use, and paying for UMF 20+ when you’re stirring it into tea is a waste of money.
For everyday use as a sweetener, in cooking, or stirred into drinks, UMF 5+ (MGO 83) is perfectly fine. It still has more antibacterial activity than regular honey, and the flavor is milder, which works better in recipes. For sore throats, digestive comfort, or general wellness purposes, UMF 10+ to 15+ (MGO 261 to 512) is the range most people reach for. The antibacterial concentration is meaningfully higher, and you’ll notice a stronger, more medicinal taste. UMF 15+ and above tends to have a thicker texture and a slightly bitter edge that some people enjoy and others find intense.
UMF 20+ (MGO 826+) is the premium tier, and it carries a premium price, often two to three times the cost of UMF 10+. If you’re buying manuka honey specifically for topical use on minor cuts or skin irritation, this higher grade delivers the most concentrated antibacterial activity. That said, medical-grade manuka honey sold in wound care products is a separate category. It’s been sterilized and formulated for clinical safety in a way that a jar from the grocery shelf has not.
Monofloral vs. Multifloral
You’ll see some jars labeled “monofloral” and others labeled “multifloral.” Monofloral manuka honey comes predominantly from manuka flower nectar, which results in higher MGO levels and a more robust, earthy flavor. Multifloral manuka honey comes from bees that foraged across multiple plant species. It still contains some manuka nectar, but the MGO concentration is lower and the taste is milder.
Multifloral manuka is less expensive and works well as a table honey or sweetener. If you’re buying manuka specifically for its unique properties, monofloral is what you want. If a jar doesn’t specify monofloral or multifloral, that’s worth noting as a potential concern.
How to Spot Fakes and Misleading Labels
More manuka honey is sold worldwide each year than New Zealand actually produces, which tells you the scale of the problem. Several label tricks are common.
A label that says “100% pure” or “100% New Zealand honey” does not guarantee the product is genuine manuka. Those phrases describe the honey’s origin or purity in general terms, not its floral source. Similarly, if a jar says it’s a “blend” or has been “blended,” it has likely been mixed with cheaper honey from other regions and is not a genuine single-source manuka product.
The New Zealand government requires exported manuka honey to pass testing for five specific markers: four chemical compounds derived from manuka nectar and one DNA marker from manuka pollen. This is the most rigorous national standard for manuka honey authentication. Look for the gold “Tested Certified Mānuka” symbol, which confirms the honey met these government requirements. A UMF trademark on the label is another reliable signal, as it means the honey was tested and certified by the UMF Honey Association, an independent New Zealand body.
Two other details are worth checking. First, look for “packed in New Zealand” on the label. Honey that’s exported in bulk and repackaged elsewhere has more opportunities for tampering or dilution along the supply chain. Second, brands that offer traceability from hive to shelf, sometimes through a batch number or QR code, give you an additional layer of confidence.
Why MGO Alone Isn’t Enough
One reason the UMF system tests multiple markers, not just MGO, is that MGO levels can be manipulated. The compound forms naturally over time as another chemical in the nectar slowly converts into methylglyoxal. Some producers speed this up through prolonged storage or controlled heating to inflate the MGO number and charge a higher price. In theory, MGO can even be added artificially to non-manuka honey.
A more stable marker called leptosperin is harder to fake. It’s a compound derived directly from manuka nectar that doesn’t break down with heat or storage the way MGO levels shift. The UMF grading system incorporates leptosperin testing, which is one reason UMF-certified honey is generally more trustworthy than a jar displaying only an MGO number without any third-party certification behind it.
What to Look for at a Glance
- A recognized grading system: UMF or MGO with a specific number, not vague terms like “Active” or “Bio-active”
- Monofloral or multifloral: clearly stated on the label
- Certification marks: the UMF trademark or the gold “Tested Certified Mānuka” symbol from the New Zealand government
- “Packed in New Zealand”: reduces the risk of the honey being diluted or swapped during repackaging
- Traceability: a batch number, QR code, or other system that lets you trace the honey back to its source
- Price that matches the grade: genuine UMF 15+ manuka honey is expensive to produce, so a suspiciously cheap jar at that grade is a red flag
If a jar checks most of these boxes, you can feel confident you’re getting what you’re paying for. If it’s missing certification marks or uses vague language instead of specific grading numbers, keep looking.