A very special specialty is the fine Manuka honey, which the owner obtains directly from regional beekeepers in New Zealand.
What exactly is manuka honey?
This honey can only be called “original” if it comes from New Zealand. The South Sea myrtle, a type of tea tree, from which the bees collect the valuable nectar in the comparatively short period of four to six weeks, only thrives here. The local beekeepers harvest the honey just like any other type of honey. The difference lies in the concentration of a special ingredient, methylglyoxal, or MGO for short. For example, MGO 125 means 125 milligrams of methylglyoxal per 100 grams of honey. The higher the MGO concentration, the more valuable and active the Manuka honey is. Since the ingredient methylglyoxal is insensitive to heat, you can consume the honey cold, stir it into hot milk or bake it without the quality suffering.
The special properties of Manuka honey
You will find various Manuka honey qualities that have been standardized according to an agreement between the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture, beekeepers and exporters and have also had uniform designations (MGO, MGO 100, MGO 125, MGO 500, etc.) for several years . Basically, you can use Manuka honey like conventional honey. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it is ideal, for example, for sweetening tea or for naturally supporting wound healing. A little honey is applied directly to the skin. Friends of the natural way of life enjoy a small amount of manuka honey with a high MGO concentration every day, especially in winter, to prevent colds and as a special energy boost. Of course, the finely tart, aromatic honey can also be spread on bread. For many connoisseurs, however, the valuable natural product would be far too valuable.
What about the shelf life of Manuka honey?
Like all honey, the natural honey from New Zealand can be kept practically without limits. You should only protect it from the direct sun and from too much heat. A basement or pantry is ideal for storage. But beware! If you are just as enthusiastic about the fine natural product as countless other customers, your glass will soon be empty anyway.