What Is UMF™ Mānuka Honey, And Why Should I Care?

Unique Mānuka Factor, or UMF™, is one of the most important features to look out for when buying pure monofloral Mānuka honey. Why? There are several reasons why. As an introduction to understanding the wide world of Mānuka honey, gaining knowledge in honey certification is part of becoming a Mānuka honey expert.           

After reading this blog, you’ll be ready to explore the many different PURITI Mānuka honey products available. You’ll also have a solid understanding of how not all Mānuka honey is made the same. Expand your honey vocabulary by learning several different terms, which can make your search for the best  premium Mānuka honey so much easier. 

What Does UMF™ Refer To In Mānuka Honey? 

You might see a jar of PURITI Mānuka honey and immediately notice the UMF™ insignia on the jar. Alongside this logo, you’ll notice a number, e.g.  UMF™ 10+. What exactly does this number mean? It refers to a unique grade of honey that is determined by the concentration of four very unique bioactive ingredients. 

Leptosperin:

This naturally-occurring chemical is found only in the Mānuka plant (and in trace amounts within other close relatives). Leptosperin is the vital marker for identifying theauthenticity of genuine Mānuka honey, a key bioactive that works to confirm the UMF™ certification. 

As the concentration of leptosperin remains fairly constant over time, it has become a reliable method of identifying pure Mānuka honey. UMF™ requires a minimum leptosperin concentration of 83mg/kg for a Mānuka honey sample to be considered for certification. 

Methylglyoxal (MGO):

Perhaps the most famous of the four bioactive ingredients, MGO represents thepotency of Mānuka honey. There is speculation within the scientific community that MGO may have unique benefits if consumed. Although, it should be noted that any results that have come out of the medical community cannot fully be applied to real-world scenarios. 

Nevertheless, MGO remains an important aspect of UMF™ certification (perhaps the most important). Why, exactly? MGO is the key determining factor as to the UMF™ grade number of Mānuka honey will receive. The difference in bioactive concentrations of a  UMF™ 20+ (MGO 850) and a  UMF™ 31+ (MGO 1722) will depend on the MGO levels. 

Dihydroxymethylglyoxal (DHA):

DHA is very closely related to MGO; in fact, DHA is the chemical precursor to MGO. The presence of DHA within Mānuka honey will signifyshelf life. As a rule of thumb, the higher the concentration of DHA, the more MGO life there will be within the Mānuka honey. 

Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): 

As a means of determining thefreshness, HMF is a heat-sensitive compound that indicates long storage or overheating of the Mānuka honey. Pure Mānuka honey will be considered fresh by the UMF™ Honey Association if the concentration is below 40mg/kg. 

Can Multifloral Mānuka Honey Be UMF™-Certified? 

No. Multifloral Mānuka honey is a term used to describe honey that includes the nectar of Mānuka flowers and other species. The term “multi” relates to the multiple flowers that are found within the honey blend. Considering UMF™ requires minimum concentrations of the four unique bioactives, it’s understandable to know that the concentrations will not add up. 

UMF™ already requires a strong level of each bioactive to be present before certification for monofloral Mānuka honey. Honey that is not 100% (or close to 100%) derived from the Mānuka flower will unlikely reach the minimum concentrations to receive a UMF™ grade. 

What Is So Special About High-UMF™ Mānuka Honey?

First and foremost, the high-ranking UMF™ Mānuka honey is considered premium and also very rare. These honey varieties are not easy to come by, and their harvest is always very small. Typically speaking, the higher the UMF™ grade, the rare the honey. PURITI’s most luxurious and high-end honey,  UMF™ 31+, is one of the rarest honey varieties on the planet. 

The MGO levels of the luxurious,  ultra-premium Mānuka honey varieties have been suggested to have unique properties. There is, however, still debate among scientists within the medical community as to the extent of health benefits.

For more information on the suggested benefits, please read “ Interesting Benefits And Facts Of Pure Mānuka Honey”.

PURITI Can Provide You With 100% Pure New Zealand Mānuka Honey

At PURITI, we provide sensational, creamy and untouched UMF™-certified Mānuka honey that exceeds all requirements to guarantee purity and potency. EachMānuka honey product that we sell exceeds the minimum required leptosperin and MGO concentrations set by UMF™HA. As a result, consumers can buy from PURITI confidently, knowing that we are only selling 100% genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey.

PURITI also includes 11 separate anti-counterfeit measures within our packaging - we provide absolute quality assurance to our customers. As a sacred product of New Zealand, we want to ensure customers receive the best level of quality that PURITI can offer.  

If you’re looking to buy high-quality, genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey online, the great selection of items at PURITI will be the perfect place to browse an extensive range of premium products. 

Buy our  Mānuka honey online for all your wellness needs.