Is Manuka Honey or your local Honey better for you?

Manuka verse local honey, which is better? I'm sure you have heard this before "buy local honey, its better for you, plus it's half the price of manuka!".

Yip the world of honey is confusing, with so many opinions out their knowing what is actually is best for you, your needs and lifestyle can be extremely contradicting.

So what should honey should you go for - Manuka or your local honey?

Local Honey & Allergies:  

One of the the many reasons people suggest that you should get your local honey is to help protect yourself from the allergens in your area. 

The theory: your local honey contains pollen from the plants that effect your allergies and eating it will help soothe and prevent flare ups.

However, more often then not, the bees are not foraging from the things that are effecting your allergies - e.g. Grass, Hay, Birch, Cedar, Ragweed, Nettle, Elm etc. So you are really not getting half of the pollen you think you may be getting.

The reality: Bees think there are better flowers to collect from then teh ones you are allergic to!

Raw honey:

Another reason why people push for local honeys is because theey beleieve that  local honey are 'less processed' than some store brought honeys. 

The theory: In its raw state honey contains natural vitamins and living enzymes. (Hence why many people opt for raw honey!)

Given there is no strict legal requirement for claims and labelling of honey raw, it can be really hard to know exactly what you are looking for in a raw honey.

Raw honey can come many different ways - cut straight from the frame as honeycomb, separated from the frame (spun) but unfiltered, OR spun & filtered from any foreign objects etc. 

Generally a honey company would call honey 'raw' if it has had minimal heat interference. Meaning the honey hasn't been heated up past 33-38 degrees Celsius. Our Manuka honey is considered raw as we do not heat our honey past the temperatures found in the hive- learn more about 'Raw Manuka Honey' here.

One of the main reasons people push for local raw honey is because they believe that it contains trace amounts of local pollen, which may help in desensitize hay fever symptoms. But we have already debunked that one haven't we... 

The reality: A  huge variety of honey on the market is raw, not just your local beekeepers. 

( If a honey is pasteurized it is not raw honey. Creamed honey is by definition raw if it’s from a trusted producer.)

Why Manuka?

Manuka has stronger antibacterial properties compared to every other kind of honey out there. 

Manuka honey is often referred to as 'medicinal honey' because of it's high antibacterial activity! Research on Manuka has shown that Manuka honey is a great natural way to heal wound. Many people use Manuka honey to help to relieve sore throats, mouth ulcers, sore gums and gut problems.

Not only that, but if you wanting honey for it's benefits, you want to know that benefits is what your getting!

Our Manuka honey can be traced from hive to home, meaning our entire process is traced and recorded, not only that but our honey is independently test so  you can trust that it is genuine and quality honey. 

So which honey should you go for - Local or Manuka?

There are many reasons to buy from your local beekeeper, but if your looking for a honey with benefits, manuka is the one for you!

If your looking for specific honey just for its taste, or so you can add it lavishly to your morning toast perhaps a local honey could be the best option?