New research in UMF Honey Association’s Grading System

New research in UMF Honey Association’s Grading System for Manuka Honey welcomed by Waikato-based SummerGlow Apiaries

Global demand for Manuka Honey is growing and so is the consumer demand of assurances of quality and purity when contemplating purchasing New Zealand Manuka honey.

“The UMF Honey Association’s Grading System allows the consumer to know if they are buying genuine Manuka Honey,” says Margaret Bennett, SummerGlow Apiaries’ co-owner.

The UMFHA have been working hard to discover the best science to undertake chemical profiling, to effectively fingerprint honey by floral type and quality attributes, in particular Manuka Honey.
“Unique markers are recognised, which are specific of the floral type, plentiful, stable, and not easily able to be synthesised and hence potentially adulterated,” adds Margaret.

Manuka Honey is intricate, being made up of a multitude of components. “The Manuka ID Project has identified a number of potentially worthwhile chemical markers,” says Maragaret.

The Manuka ID project has focused on four of these chemical markers to produce a science-based classification criteria for genuine Manuka Honey. “This will give confidence to consumers who want to purchase our high quality and trustworthy Manuka honey,” adds Margaret.

One of those four markers discovered by The Manuka ID Project is Leptosperin. Leptosperin has a unique presence in Manuka flower nectar which proves that its presence in honey can only be derived from Manuka plants. This has not been found in nectar of any New Zealand flower type other than Manuka. This study was the first to assert this component and its value for identification of Manuka Honey.

“The comparatively high levels of Leptosperin found in Manuka make it straightforward to test for,” says Margaret.

The UMF Honey Association consists of more than 40 companies currently licenced to use the UMF® quality trademark. This quality mark has been in existence for over 18 years and provides protection and assurance to the consumer.

UMF license holders are required to provide proof that their product meets or exceeds any label claims during the product's shelf life, from packing until the best before date. SummerGlow, which holds the first ever issued UMF License, prides itself on a quality UMF Manuka Honey that is tested at least three times during the packing process.

SummerGlow Apiaries have been beekeeping and producing Manuka Honey for 40 years, and specialising in high activity UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) Manuka Honey for the past 20 years. In particular SummerGlow Apiaries specializes in the highest quality UMF16+.

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