Multifloral vs. Monofloral Manuka Honey: The Key Differences

Manuka honey is a unique superfood that has consumers buzzing over its many health benefits. It is important to note that not all Manuka honey is created equally though. In fact, there are two different variations: multifloral and monofloral. Monofloral Manuka honey is seemingly the more well known of the two. So what makes these two types of Manuka honey different? Let’s dive into the key differences and what you should know when you choose to buy this powerful golden nectar.

Multifloral Manuka Honey:

Multifloral Manuka honey is still considered Manuka honey (which may be obvious by the name), but it has a few key differences compared to 100% pure Manuka honey. So, what does the term multifloral mean when it comes to honey? Great question! Many raw honey’s are considered to be multi-floral, meaning it is sourced from the pollen of a variety of different flowers. Multifloral Manuka is no different, meaning that bees are pollinating from different flowers surrounding the Manuka plant, and from the plant itself. In order to still be considered Manuka honey, this multifloral option must contain more Manuka than any other source.

While multifloral Manuka honey can still benefit your health in a variety of different ways, it is considered to be a more diluted version of monofloral Manuka honey, since it comes from multiple different sources. If you are looking to use Manuka honey for medicinal purposes or for its healing properties then multifloral Manuka honey might not be the right choice for you. But that doesn’t mean that there are no benefits associated with a Manuka honey blend. 

Top Benefits of Multifloral Manuka:

• May help to boost your immune system
• Contains beneficial antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties 
• More affordable than monofloral Manuka honey
• Great option for everyday use (mix into different drinks, meals, or desserts)
• Mild taste and smooth texture

Monofloral Manuka honey

The prefix “mono” directly means one, single, or only, therefore for a Manuka honey to be considered monofloral it must come from one source and one source only, which is of course the Manuka tree. This is part of what makes Manuka honey such an incredible superfood, the bees only harvest from one source. The Manuka plant is only found in Australia and New Zealand, so if your Manuka honey claims to be from somewhere else, it might not be authentic Manuka honey afterall. 

As briefly mentioned above, monofloral Manuka honey is the most potent version of Manuka honey. When you purchase Manuka honey you will find a few different distinct components on the label, one of which is the acronym UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor.  The Unique Manuka Factor represents how much MGO (methylglyoxal) is in that particular jar of honey. MGO is what gives Manuka honey its unique antibacterial properties. A key difference between multifloral and monofloral Manuka honey is that the monofloral variety will have a much higher MGO number, which directly correlates with its potency and antibacterial properties. A multifloral Manuka honey will have a UMF of 5+ or less and a monofloral Manuka honey will have a UMF of anything higher. 

Top Benefits of Monofloral Manuka

Many consumers seek out Manuka honey over any other type of honey available on the market because of its many medicinal and healing properties. One of the key differences between multifloral and monofloral Manuka honey is that monofloral Manuka honey is going to have more health benefits than a multifloral alternative. While multifloral Manuka is a better choice than other types of honey, it doesn’t pack quite the same punch that monofloral Manuka honey does. 

These are some of the top benefits of Manuka honey:

• Can be used to help treat and soothe a sore throat and cough
• Helps decrease blemishes and acne
• Can help promote healing for burns, wounds, and cuts to the skin
• Improves oral health
• Contains antioxidants that ward off dangerous free radicals

Things to Consider When Buying Honey

Intended use:

There are so many different types and variations of honey available to purchase, and deciding what honey to buy depends on what exactly you want to use it for. If you are looking for natural sweetener to add to things like tea, warm drinks, and other types of foods, then multifloral Manuka honey is probably going to be the best buy. It is more cost effective, and generally a better everyday option.  As mentioned above, if you plan to use your Manuka honey solely for its many health benefits, then stocking up your home with monofloral Manuka is going to satisfy you the most.

Labels on the jar:

In order to assure you are getting authentic Manuka honey (whether it be multifloral or monofloral) there are a few distinct things you should look for on the label of the jar. 

• UMF Certified- Unique Manuka Factor
• MGO Certified- the compound that directly correlates with the antibacterial properties
• Note where the honey originates from. Real Manuka honey will be harvested and sourced in New Zealand
• Is there a mention of being “traceable” anywhere on the label? This will ensure the Manuka honey did indeed come from where it says it did.
• The ingredients should be plain and simple, meaning there is only one thing in that jar, Manuka honey.
• If the Manuka honey is multifloral, it should be labeled as such on the jar.

Kiva Manuka Honey

At Kiva, you can always trust that the Manuka honey you receive is high quality, pure, and 100% traceable by scanning the QR found on each jar of honey. If you are interested in learning more about Manuka honey and what makes it a superfood worth having in your home, be sure to check out the other Manuka honey blogs found on our website. 

Let Kiva be your one stop shop for all your Manuka honey needs. We have many options available to you with varying price points, sizes, and potencies. You can browse our whole collection right here and find the perfect Manuka honey to purchase today. Happy shopping!

 

About the Author: Katie is a freelance writer from Denver, Colorado. In 2020 she became a Certified Holistic Nutritionist through AFPA, and loves to share her passion for health, wellness, and living a healthy lifestyle with others. You can find more of her articles at PopNourish.com