Manuka Honey FAQs

Manuka honey is a monofloral honey, which means the bees fed mostly on one type of flower: Leptospermum. Australia has more than 80 Leptospermum species, the most of any country, and many of them produce honey rich in MGO. Bushranger Manuka comes from Australian hives and is sold raw and unblended.

MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a natural compound found in Manuka honey at much higher levels than in other honeys. The MGO number on the label is measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). A higher number means more MGO and a rarer honey.

It comes down to how you use it and what you want to spend.

• 30 to 100 MGO: everyday Manuka, great value for toast, tea, smoothies and the family pantry
• 250 MGO: a step up in strength, for a daily spoonful
• 500 to 750 MGO: high grade, rich and bold, for people who want a stronger Manuka
• 1400 to 2250 MGO: our rarest grades from small harvests, for collectors and serious Manuka fans

Shop Manuka by MGO

MGO is used for Manuka. TA (Total Activity) is a wider measure of a honey's natural activity, used for honeys like Jarrah and Blackbutt. You'll see TA ratings such as TA 30+ or TA 50+ on our specialty honeys. Read MGO vs TA

Yes. Both are graded on MGO, and many Australian batches match or exceed New Zealand honey. New Zealand also uses its own UMF grading, while Australia mainly uses MGO. Because Australia has so many Leptospermum species, the flowering season is longer too.

Leptospermum flowers for only a few weeks a year, and the bees have to be in the right forest at the right time. High grades like 1400 and 2250 MGO come from tiny harvests, which is why they're rare. Why 2250 MGO is so rare

We're a Sydney-based family of beekeepers. Wild honey doesn't come from one paddock, so we follow the flowering seasons, moving our hives through forests and bushland across NSW. A few of our specialty honeys, like WA Jarrah and Tasmanian Leatherwood, come from trusted beekeepers in those regions.

Yes. Our honey is cold-extracted and not heat-treated or blended, so it keeps its natural character straight from the hive.

That's crystallisation, and it's a good sign of real, raw honey. To soften it, stand the jar in warm (not boiling) water and stir. Avoid the microwave.

Keep it in the pantry with the lid on tight, away from sunlight. Don't put it in the fridge, because the cold speeds up crystallisation. Raw honey lasts for years.

Creamed honey is raw honey that has been gently stirred as it crystallises. That gives it a smooth, spreadable texture. We make it plain and in flavours like vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cacao. Shop creamed honey

Honey, including Manuka, isn't recommended for babies under 12 months old.

Shipping is free on Australian orders over $60. This excludes our 14kg bulk tubs. For smaller orders and overseas orders, you'll see shipping options and costs at checkout.

Sorry, no. WA has strict biosecurity rules on honey coming in from other states, so we can't send it there.

Yes, we ship to many countries. Some places, including New Zealand, have strict rules on importing honey, so we can't send to every destination. You'll see the options for your country at checkout.

Yes. We sell 3kg and 14kg tubs online, and we can arrange larger orders. Call Trish on 0421 484 141 to talk it through. Shop bulk honey

Yes. Our gift sets come boxed and ready to give, with Manuka, creamed and specialty honey options. Shop gift sets