1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “REGULAR” and “ACTIVE” MANUKA HONEY?
Regular Manuka Honey and Active Manuka Honey, are both collected from the flower of the Manuka Bush (leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand, and are sold in the US. Active Manuka Honey is collected in an area in New Zealand, where the Manuka Bush is highly concentrated, therefore producing a higher UMF Rating. Dr. Molan has been researching Manuka Honey for 25+ years at the Waikato University in New Zealand, and has developed and refined testing methods, in order to classify various strengths of Manuka Honey. Regular Manuka Honey also has “UMF Activity”, but less then 10, therefore it is not mentioned on the label. Regular Manuka Honey is used for tea, toast, cooking baking, BBQ Sauces, or for a mild sore throat.
2. WHAT DOES “UMF” STAND FOR?
UMF stands for 'Unique Manuka Factor' - the factor responsible to help destroy harmful bacteria naturally.
3. HONEY STORAGE?
Store Honey at room temperature in kitchen cabinet. Honey is the ONLY food that has NO “expiration date”
4. HOW CAN I MEASURE HONEY for a RECIPE without the STICKY MESS?
To measure honey for a recipe, simply spray measuring cup with vegetable oil first, then pour honey into the measuring cup. You'll be surprised how EASY honey will release out of the measuring cup!
5. INFANT BOTULISM: Pediatricians agree that honey should NOT be fed to infants and babies under the age of 1 1/2 years, (18 months and younger, NO Honey!), because of the possibility that Clostridium Botulinum spores (the cause of infant botulism), could be present in honey. Spores of this bacteria do not germinate in the acidic adult digestive system, but may grow in the gut of infants, because they do not have a well-developed intestinal system yet. Cases of infant botulism are rare, and spores of the disease are present also in soil and a range of common foods, especially raw foods!
It is imperative that “pasteurized” honey NOT be given to children 1 1/2 years and younger. Pasteurized Honey is a known source of bacterial spores that produce a toxin, which can cause infant botulism. It is rare, but this serious form of food poisoning will affect the nervous system of babies and can result in death! Babies ages 18 months and OLDER, can consume some honey, just make sure that the honey is pure, raw, natural and UN-Pasteurized, meaning, the enzymes are alive and well to help destroy harmful bacteria.
6. 70% SHORTAGE of ACTIVE MANUKA HONEY the past several years, IMMINENT PRICE INCREASE EXPECTED…
The New Zealand Harold (newspaper) announced that this year’s crop of Active Manuka Honey volume in down by 70%, due to a very wet, cold and windy season. During such condition’s bees will NOT fly and collect honey! In addition the world’s demand for this product is soaring.
7. WARNING: "FAKE" MANUKA HONEY on the rise... You are probably wandering: “What is FAKE Manuka Honey”?
It is bad enough to know, that there are companies out there now, that are filling “Regular Manuka Honey” into a jar and slap a label “Active Manuka Honey” on it, as well as miss-using Trademarks. However, some companies are now “producing” a FAKE manuka honey! This could be for example, having a basic “sugar syrup” in place, add some brown color, add a thickening agent and some other “flavors”, in an attempt to imitate the flavor of “manuka honey”!
