February 1, 2024

Manuka honey: where does it come from? History and origin

By Naturale Bio

But where does Manuka Honey come from? It is precisely the origin of this extraordinary food that Australia and New Zealand are competing for.

Origin of Manuka Honey, Australia or New Zealand?

The major world media reported on it, from ABC News to Corriere della Sera. The hearing that will decide who between Australia and New Zealand will be able to register the official trademark “Manuka Honey”.

New Zealanders strongly claim that the original Manuka plant is indigenous to their land and that the honey obtained by bees from this particular shrub is very different from that of Australia. They therefore want acertification mark, which certifies that only honey from New Zealand can be defined as “originalmanuka honey”.

An origin that dates back centuries, apparently confirmed by history. In fact, it is said that Thomas Cook himself, the British adventurer who "discovered" the New Zealand coasts at the end of the 1700s, immediately fell in love with the Manuka plant. He used the aromatic leaves to make herbal teas.

How Manuka Honey is born: the plant and the bees

The Manuka plant, whose scientific name is Leptospermum scoparium, which apparently was attributed by Thomas Cook, is a shrub that can reach up to 5 meters in height, with fragrant white flowers.

A vegetable native to New Zealand, robust and versatile, which grows well here in a completely spontaneous way. The beneficial properties of honey are already part of the very strength of the plant, which has the ability to produce natural substances that protect it from fungi and insects. Without the need, therefore, to use any type of chemical repellent.

The properties of Manuka Honey

In the Maori tradition, it has been used for its benefits since ancient times. The active ingredient contained in this honey, Methylglyoxal, is much more concentrated than traditional honeys.

This active ingredient has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial abilities, completely natural. It can, therefore, be a valid support for the body to counteract seasonal ailments and other minor ailments.

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