Walk into any wellness aisle and you will see jars stamped with numbers like UMF 10+ or MGO 263+. They read like a code, and the price gaps between them are steep. If you have ever stood there wondering whether the $55 jar is genuinely better than the $18 one, you are not alone.
New Zealand Honey Co. builds its whole range around that scale, which makes the numbers the easiest way to shop once you know what they measure. This guide covers what the labels actually tell you, what the honey tastes like, how people work it into a daily routine, and which jar in the lineup fits which habit.
What Makes Manuka Honey Different
Manuka honey comes from the flowers of the manuka bush, a plant native to New Zealand. That single origin is what separates it from the clover and wildflower blends on the same shelf: the nectar carries natural compounds that ordinary honey does not, and the grading systems on the label exist to measure them.
New Zealand Honey Co. sources its honey from New Zealand hives and sells it raw, without blending it with cheaper varieties. That is why every jar lists a specific UMF and MGO number rather than leaning on vague words like "premium." If you remember one thing, make it this: with manuka, the number is the product.
How to Read the UMF and MGO Scale
A manuka label usually carries two numbers, and they describe the same thing from different directions. UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, the New Zealand grading system, and it is the one worth prioritising because it is tied to independent testing. MGO stands for methylglyoxal, the specific compound those tests measure. A higher MGO number means more of that compound, and the UMF rating moves in step with it.
The conversion is straightforward, and you can see it in the product names: UMF 10+ sits at MGO 263+, UMF 15+ at MGO 514+, UMF 20+ at MGO 829+, and UMF 24+ at MGO 1122+. So a jar labelled UMF 15+ MGO 514+ is telling you the same grade twice, in two languages. When a jar shows an MGO number with no UMF mark beside it, read that as a weaker signal, because the paired rating is what indicates the batch was graded.
New Zealand Honey Co. Jars Compared
The New Zealand Honey Co.'s Manuka honey range runs from an everyday jar to a high-activity one, and the price broadly tracks the grade:
- UMF 10+ MGO 263+ — $18.88. The entry point and the easiest everyday buy. Mild enough to eat by the spoonful or stir into tea.
- UMF 15+ MGO 514+ — $38.88. The middle of the lineup, and the one most people land on once they want a stronger grade.
- UMF 20+ MGO 829+ — $32.98. A higher grade listed below the 15+ jar, so a bigger number does not always mean a bigger bill.
- UMF 24+ MGO 1122+ — $55.88. The top of the range, for when you want the highest grade they sell.
There are also formats for people who do not want to commit to a full jar straight away. The Mini Jars (125g, $32.98) let you sample a grade in a smaller size, the Single-Serve Packets (box of 10, $25.88) are built for travel and portion control, and the Daily Ritual Kit ($76.88) packages a routine into one box.
What It Tastes Like and How to Use It Daily
Strong manuka is not the squeezy honey you grew up with. It is darker and thicker, and carries a herbal, slightly earthy note with a warm finish, and the higher the grade, the more pronounced that character tends to be. It is still sweet, but it tastes like something with a purpose rather than a syrup.
Because the flavour is bold, a little goes a long way. Everyday ways people use it:
- A teaspoon straight from the jar first thing in the morning, as a daily ritual.
- Stirred into warm — not boiling — tea, where the flavour softens.
- Drizzled over yoghurt, porridge, or toast with peanut butter.
- Whisked into a salad dressing with olive oil and lemon.
- Taken in single-serve packets while travelling or at the office.
Two habits matter more than any recipe. Use a clean, dry spoon every time, because extra moisture is what makes honey ferment. And store the jar in a cupboard rather than the fridge, since manuka sets very firm when cold and becomes hard to scoop.
What to Look For When Buying Manuka Honey
Labels vary a lot in how much they tell you, so a short checklist helps:
- A paired UMF and MGO number, not just one of the two.
- A clear statement that the honey is raw and from New Zealand, rather than a blend of origins.
- A grade that matches your use. For daily eating, a mid-range jar such as UMF 15+ MGO 514+ is a practical balance; the top grades suit people who specifically want the strongest one.
- A format that fits your routine. If you travel or want fixed portions, packets or mini jars beat a full jar.
- A store that moves its stock, plus a readable best-before or harvest date on the jar.
Price is a useful signal but not a perfect one. In this lineup the UMF 20+ is listed below the UMF 15+, so compare by grade first and price second rather than assuming the two always move together.
The short version: match the grade to how you will use it and let the label do the work. If you are new to manuka, the UMF 10+ is the easiest place to start; if you already know you want the top of the range, go straight to the UMF 24+. Either way, it is worth browsing the full New Zealand Honey Co. range before you decide.