Manuka - the biography of an extraordinary honey - is the title of a new book with a behind the scenes look at this now internationally famous honey.
Authored by Cliff Van Eaton, who has spend over 30 years as a beekeeping consultant and advisor in New Zealand, and has also assisted in other countries.
His 'insider' knowledge from the beekeepers perspective enables him to tell the story of how Manuka honey has progressed from the first scientific discoveries that showed the potential of its unique properties.
For a fuller summary and review, have a read of this Manuka book review page here.
This book is due to be release in November, and should be available on amazon and through other bookstores from then.
Showing posts with label general honey news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label general honey news. Show all posts
Friday, October 24, 2014
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Fake Manuka Honey in the UK
This morning's Sunday Times has an article saying there is more Manuka honey sold in the UK than what is actually produced in New Zealand, let alone taking into account what is sold in the rest of the world.
Unfortunately this is something that has been suspected within the industry for some time.
There are a couple of points to make. Firstly that it is not a food safety issue at all, we have seen nothing to suggest there is anything wrong from a food safety angle with the problem products. People can still consume them. Rather it is an authenticity issue over what properties are contained in a given brand's products and what they have tested for.
Some brands have been rating there honey on a peroxide activity basis - but this has known problems with research proving that the peroxide based activity is not stable. So we have no idea how they are able to assure that their labeled level of peroxide activity will still exist by the time the consumer buys it.
The other point is that the most common reason people buy manuka honey is with an expectation of receiving something extra to other honeys, and that extra property is the non-peroxide activity.
How do you know if Manuka Honey is Genuine?
Here are 5 tips for consumers to be aware of.
Or you can find examples of genuine UMF Manuka honey here.
The New Zealand Honey Shop has only ever sold UMF certified jars of honey.
Unfortunately this is something that has been suspected within the industry for some time.
There are a couple of points to make. Firstly that it is not a food safety issue at all, we have seen nothing to suggest there is anything wrong from a food safety angle with the problem products. People can still consume them. Rather it is an authenticity issue over what properties are contained in a given brand's products and what they have tested for.
Some brands have been rating there honey on a peroxide activity basis - but this has known problems with research proving that the peroxide based activity is not stable. So we have no idea how they are able to assure that their labeled level of peroxide activity will still exist by the time the consumer buys it.
The other point is that the most common reason people buy manuka honey is with an expectation of receiving something extra to other honeys, and that extra property is the non-peroxide activity.
How do you know if Manuka Honey is Genuine?
Here are 5 tips for consumers to be aware of.
Or you can find examples of genuine UMF Manuka honey here.
The New Zealand Honey Shop has only ever sold UMF certified jars of honey.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Why is manuka honey so expensive?
This is becoming a more common question - 'why is manuka honey so expensive'? Unfortunately it is only likely to become even more expensive in future.The core issue is a basic one of available supply versus demand. As a natural product, the supply side cannot be quickly changed, and can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions and other things that affect the harvest. It is not a factory produced product, and you can't just ask the bees to do an extra shift.
Genuine Manuka honey contains extra special activity over and above that which is found in all honeys. Peroxide based activity is in all honeys, including Manuka, but is not a stable property and so will often not remain in the jar by the time you come to use it. It is a unique 'non-peroxide' activity that makes genuine Manuka special, and is what the supporting research referred to in the press articles is based on.
So in appreciating that Manuka will be more expensive than other types of honey, it becomes more important to know what you are getting, and be sure that you are receiving a product that does contain the additional unique properties.
Your best assurance of receiving the special extra property in your jar is to choose one that carries the UMF® quality mark. This is the only international quality standard, where verification testing can be done in multiple countries. That becomes important when you consider that as a consumer you cannot see, nor taste the special property but are reliant on the label on the jar.
You can download for free a pdf eLeaflet 'Know Your Manuka Honey' from our website. This gives you the background information on how to know if manuka honey is genuine (click this link to get your copy). It has been prepared in association with the Food and Environment Research Agency in the UK (FERA).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
AMHA renames to the UMF Honey Association
The owner of the UMF® quality mark for Manuka honey has recently renamed itself to better reflect what distinguishes UMF® manuka honey.
It is now called the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (or UMF Honey Association). The original Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) name has been dropped as the word Active in relation to honey has been misleadingly used by some people and also the wider quality controls that are behind the UMF® standard.
Of course all honey actually has come activity due to its hydrogen peroxide content. Under the UMF® that hydrogen peroxide activity is not included, and the rating will only reflect the unique non-peroxide antibacterial properties that are referenced by the research. There are also additional quality controls around any adulteration of the honey, over-heating, misleading claims about the honey, and more.
Hence the change in name of the association to emphasise the UMF mark, and reflect the associations proactive role in protecting, researching and promoting the unique properties of New Zealand Manuka honey.
Rest assured, not just now, but since the beginning The New Zealand Honey Shop has only ever sold genuine UMF® Manuka honey.
It is now called the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (or UMF Honey Association). The original Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) name has been dropped as the word Active in relation to honey has been misleadingly used by some people and also the wider quality controls that are behind the UMF® standard.
Of course all honey actually has come activity due to its hydrogen peroxide content. Under the UMF® that hydrogen peroxide activity is not included, and the rating will only reflect the unique non-peroxide antibacterial properties that are referenced by the research. There are also additional quality controls around any adulteration of the honey, over-heating, misleading claims about the honey, and more.
Hence the change in name of the association to emphasise the UMF mark, and reflect the associations proactive role in protecting, researching and promoting the unique properties of New Zealand Manuka honey.
Rest assured, not just now, but since the beginning The New Zealand Honey Shop has only ever sold genuine UMF® Manuka honey.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Great way to get kids eating honey
The new Honey Infusionz from Honey New Zealand are a great way to get kids eating honey.
These combinations of active 6+ manuka honey (very healthy) infused with seasonal fruits not only provide a range of tastes, but allow some more novels ways of taking honey. Raspberry honey on your ice cream anyone?
Available in a choice of 8 different flavours:
- Apricot
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Blackcurrant
- Blueberry
- Kiwifruit
- Spiced Apple
- Cinnamon
So pick your favourite fruit (or spice), and then have fun in how you take it. Spread it on your sandwiches, take it by the teaspoon, use in cooking, dribble over your ice cream, it's up to you. Delicious and healthy.
Fruit Honey Infusionz are now in stock and available.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Try Honey for Hayfever
We're getting into spring, and along with the joys of warmer and sunnier weather, for some people it can also mean the dreaded onslaught of hayfever is around the corner.
There are a couple of more natural ways that you can address this if you are a sufferer.
It could be worth your while to visit a homeopath, as they can offer some more natural homeopathic remedies to alleviate the symptoms and help you cope better. They will tailor the remedy to yourself, rather than try to offer a 'one size fits all' approach, because people do suffer in different ways, and are affected by different pollens. Do a search (online or in a local directory) for a trained homeopath in your area, and give them a call to see if they can offer you some help.
Another completely natural way to help yourself is to take some honey. Not just any honey though, what works best is local honey - local you where you are living. This is because it will be the local pollen from the plants in your area that are affecting you, and honey from that same area will contain small amounts of those pollens, giving your body a small dose to allow it to develop some resistance to it. At the moment this is an area that does still need some more proper scientific research into it, but there is a growing amount of anecdotal evidence that it helps some people. And it won't do you and harm, plus tastes good.
Yes, we are recommending something other than New Zealand honey for this (unless you happen to be reading this from NZ), so keep your manuka honey to one side for the other things it is good for, and try to get yourself some local honey for hayfever support. Try a farmers market in your area, or look up the area beekeepers association to find appropriate suppliers.
If you happen to be in London, then occasionally we are able to stock some London honey in our physical shop, though would pay to check with us at the time, as it sells out quickly.
There are a couple of more natural ways that you can address this if you are a sufferer.
It could be worth your while to visit a homeopath, as they can offer some more natural homeopathic remedies to alleviate the symptoms and help you cope better. They will tailor the remedy to yourself, rather than try to offer a 'one size fits all' approach, because people do suffer in different ways, and are affected by different pollens. Do a search (online or in a local directory) for a trained homeopath in your area, and give them a call to see if they can offer you some help.
Another completely natural way to help yourself is to take some honey. Not just any honey though, what works best is local honey - local you where you are living. This is because it will be the local pollen from the plants in your area that are affecting you, and honey from that same area will contain small amounts of those pollens, giving your body a small dose to allow it to develop some resistance to it. At the moment this is an area that does still need some more proper scientific research into it, but there is a growing amount of anecdotal evidence that it helps some people. And it won't do you and harm, plus tastes good.
Yes, we are recommending something other than New Zealand honey for this (unless you happen to be reading this from NZ), so keep your manuka honey to one side for the other things it is good for, and try to get yourself some local honey for hayfever support. Try a farmers market in your area, or look up the area beekeepers association to find appropriate suppliers.
If you happen to be in London, then occasionally we are able to stock some London honey in our physical shop, though would pay to check with us at the time, as it sells out quickly.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Comvita founder turns 99
Aspirational found of Comvita Claude Strafford turns 99 this week - living proof of the value of bee related health products.
From having his first beehive in 1921, his lifelong commitment to products of good quality and purity remain a cornerstone of the Comvita philosophy now. And even though he 'retired' at age 95, he still keeps some involvement today. Not bad for someone who spent his childhood in and out of hospital, but was able to greatly improve his health by his discovery of products from the hive.
Read more of this story here: New Zealand Honey Shop news.
From having his first beehive in 1921, his lifelong commitment to products of good quality and purity remain a cornerstone of the Comvita philosophy now. And even though he 'retired' at age 95, he still keeps some involvement today. Not bad for someone who spent his childhood in and out of hospital, but was able to greatly improve his health by his discovery of products from the hive.
Read more of this story here: New Zealand Honey Shop news.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Nouveau site web en français
Version française du miel de manuka site.
Bien que nous nous sommes d’abord concentré à traduire nos principaux produits de miel de Manuka, nous continuerons à traduire en français la totalité de nos produits. En plus des descriptions de nos produits de miel de Manuka et de Propolis, nous avons aussi créé une page d’information sur les bénéfices du miel de Manuka et la signification de la teneur en UMF qu’il contient.
New French website established.
We have worked to help the establishment of a new French language website on manuka honey. This will make it easier for French speakers to find information about manuka and UMF honey. Taking part in this project meets one of our aims to help educate people this honey. It will also soon be offering products priced in euros.
The first stage of the site is now live, and can be found at http://www.mieldemanuka.fr - but will continue to be a work in progress as we work with a few other French people to add information and explanations.
Bien que nous nous sommes d’abord concentré à traduire nos principaux produits de miel de Manuka, nous continuerons à traduire en français la totalité de nos produits. En plus des descriptions de nos produits de miel de Manuka et de Propolis, nous avons aussi créé une page d’information sur les bénéfices du miel de Manuka et la signification de la teneur en UMF qu’il contient.
New French website established.
We have worked to help the establishment of a new French language website on manuka honey. This will make it easier for French speakers to find information about manuka and UMF honey. Taking part in this project meets one of our aims to help educate people this honey. It will also soon be offering products priced in euros.
The first stage of the site is now live, and can be found at http://www.mieldemanuka.fr - but will continue to be a work in progress as we work with a few other French people to add information and explanations.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The New Zealand Honey Shop store now open
Yes, we now have a bricks and mortar store open as well, to compliment our website.
So you can now pick up your favourite manuka honey, honeycomb, propolis, or other products from an actual store if you prefer (and if you happen to be in London).
Located in the front part of the Cure By Nature natural health clinic, at 95 Replingham Road, Southfields, London, you have the chance to ask any questions you have on manuka honey. Plus we can have a few extra products in the actual store that simply aren't practical for sending out by mail.
Next time you are in South London, pop by and explore for yourself. The address and a map location are on our website: The New Zealand Honey Shop
You can also find out more about the acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, and other therapies available at the clinic we are based in on the Cure By Nature website.
So you can now pick up your favourite manuka honey, honeycomb, propolis, or other products from an actual store if you prefer (and if you happen to be in London).
Located in the front part of the Cure By Nature natural health clinic, at 95 Replingham Road, Southfields, London, you have the chance to ask any questions you have on manuka honey. Plus we can have a few extra products in the actual store that simply aren't practical for sending out by mail.
Next time you are in South London, pop by and explore for yourself. The address and a map location are on our website: The New Zealand Honey Shop
You can also find out more about the acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, and other therapies available at the clinic we are based in on the Cure By Nature website.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Honey to help with ageing?
A recent study, reported in the New Scientist magazine among other places, suggests honey may help with aiding memory in ageing. The research done at the Waikato University in New Zealand by Lynne Chepulis and Nicola Starkey involved rats. Raising them on a diet that involved either 10 per cent honey, 8 per cent sucrose, or not sugar at all for 12 months, they were assessed every three months with test to measure anxiety and spatial memory.
It was found that honey fed rats spent almost twice as much time in the open sections of an assessment maze than sucrose-fed rats, suggesting they were less anxious. They were also were more likely to enter novel sections of a Y-shaped maze, suggesting they knew where they had been previously and had better spatial memory.
The researchers concluded that "Diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory during ageing". They received funding from Fonterra, a dairy company interested in sweetening yoghurt with honey, for the research.
It was suggested the findings may be due to the antioxidant properties of honey, which have previously been demonstrated in humans.
However this is still early research so the results shouldn't be relied on for human relevance just yet. It is an interesting start though.
It was found that honey fed rats spent almost twice as much time in the open sections of an assessment maze than sucrose-fed rats, suggesting they were less anxious. They were also were more likely to enter novel sections of a Y-shaped maze, suggesting they knew where they had been previously and had better spatial memory.
The researchers concluded that "Diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory during ageing". They received funding from Fonterra, a dairy company interested in sweetening yoghurt with honey, for the research.
It was suggested the findings may be due to the antioxidant properties of honey, which have previously been demonstrated in humans.
However this is still early research so the results shouldn't be relied on for human relevance just yet. It is an interesting start though.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Los Angeles Times reports on use of honey on burns on children in Iraq
The Los Angeles Times newspaper has published an article about the use of honey is war zones. It talks about the case of a childrens burn centre set up in Iraq, that is using a special honey made by Comvita (who are New Zealand's leading manuka honey producer).
This article highlights honey's potential for use in disaster type situations, including war zones and earthquakes, where clean running water can be scare. The healing properties of some honey offers a way to still treat people suffering from wounds and burns in these circumstances.
Observations from an emergency physician who spent some time overseeing the Smith Gate Burn Clinic in Iraq, that was set up to treat children with burns, are included in the article.
You can read the Los Angeles Times report here.
This article highlights honey's potential for use in disaster type situations, including war zones and earthquakes, where clean running water can be scare. The healing properties of some honey offers a way to still treat people suffering from wounds and burns in these circumstances.
Observations from an emergency physician who spent some time overseeing the Smith Gate Burn Clinic in Iraq, that was set up to treat children with burns, are included in the article.
You can read the Los Angeles Times report here.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
New Website Now Live
The New Zealand Honey Shop new website is now live!
This new site allows us to provide you with a lot more information, and feature articles, and add new news stories.
It also allows us to offer our manuka honey, Living Nature skin care, and other products to other European countries too, not only the UK.
The New Zealand Honey Shop website will operate as a specialist site, as part of World Of NZ (http://www.worldofnz.co.uk). So effectively a specialist division. However you can be assured the same real people behind it will make sure your orders are despatched out quickly.
This is the next step in our efforts to make our manuka honey and other products more accessable to you. We are still searching for a suitable location for a physical store, and would rather wait for the right location rather than jumping at whatever happens to be first available. It remains part of our plans.
Have a look at the new website, which will continue to be expanded.
This new site allows us to provide you with a lot more information, and feature articles, and add new news stories.
It also allows us to offer our manuka honey, Living Nature skin care, and other products to other European countries too, not only the UK.
The New Zealand Honey Shop website will operate as a specialist site, as part of World Of NZ (http://www.worldofnz.co.uk). So effectively a specialist division. However you can be assured the same real people behind it will make sure your orders are despatched out quickly.
This is the next step in our efforts to make our manuka honey and other products more accessable to you. We are still searching for a suitable location for a physical store, and would rather wait for the right location rather than jumping at whatever happens to be first available. It remains part of our plans.
Have a look at the new website, which will continue to be expanded.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
UK Honey Sales Soar
"Shoppers Make A Bee-Line For Honey As Healthy Image Creates A Buzz". This is the headline from a recent artcile in the UK's Evening Standard Lite newspaper.
It reports that honey has overtaken marmalade into 2nd place in the sweet spread market, with sales soaring due to its reputation as both a natural sweetener, and remedy. With sales in the UK up 14% in the past 2 years according to Mintel statistics.
It is also pointed out that the growth is not just from people spreading it on their toast, but swallowing it by the spoonful for sore throats and other uses.
The article mentions Manuka Honey, and that the growing awareness of it has helped boost sales.
Unfortunately, like many press articles, it does just mention manuka honey in a general sense, and fails to point out that the antibacterial properties this New Zealand honey has become famous for, are actually only prevalent in some batches of the honey.
The article can be found here
It reports that honey has overtaken marmalade into 2nd place in the sweet spread market, with sales soaring due to its reputation as both a natural sweetener, and remedy. With sales in the UK up 14% in the past 2 years according to Mintel statistics.
It is also pointed out that the growth is not just from people spreading it on their toast, but swallowing it by the spoonful for sore throats and other uses.
The article mentions Manuka Honey, and that the growing awareness of it has helped boost sales.
Unfortunately, like many press articles, it does just mention manuka honey in a general sense, and fails to point out that the antibacterial properties this New Zealand honey has become famous for, are actually only prevalent in some batches of the honey.
The article can be found here
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