Learn - Ka Noa Mānuka

Our well-being requires a full circle approach, and we believe it begins with knowledge. The greater our understanding of our natural surroundings, the more likely we are to exist in cohesion with it. Exploring the benefits of our indigenous flora, and how to best use it will ensure longevity for future generations – As Nature Intends.

ABOUT MĀNUKA

About Mānuka

Mānuka is the Māori name for the native New Zealand plant, Leptospermum Scoparium. The Taiho (Earth/Nature) of the endemic flora is rooted in New Zealand tradition.

The sturdy, scrub-like plant is usually found in remote areas of the bush or coastline, and is identifiable due to its dark green colour and small white flowers.

For centuries the flora has been embraced by Māori culture - revered for its natural wellness properties and versatility. Traditional uses include an infusion of the bark, used both externally and internally as a sedative (and to treat scalds and burns). The ash from the bark was also rubbed onto the skin to treat skin diseases, while vapor from the boiled leaves was used for colds.

Health and wellness benefits of the Mānuka plant are practiced today through medical, food and skincare applications.

Mānuka Honey

Mānuka honey is derived from the Mānuka plant and is both rich in taste, and natural properties.

The key well-being factor in Mānuka honey is its additional antimicrobial activity. This is what makes it so unique. This activity includes unique chemicals such as Methylglyoxal (MG), and others. MG is formed by a chemical reaction that occurs after the bees have processed the Mānuka nectar into honey. The levels of this activity present in the honey are reflected in the UMF™ grading system.

The Mānuka plant flowers annually, for a mere couple of weeks. This means the window for producing Mānuka honey is short.

Our honey is harvested, independently tested, certified and packed in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Understanding The Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF™)

The UMF™ grading system is specific to New Zealand – the higher the UMF™ number, the greater the presence of Methylglyoxal (MG) and other natural properties.

All of our Mānuka honey products are UMF™ certified to ensure authenticity and grading.

Each jar of our Single Origin Mānuka Honey displays the UMF™ icon with appropriate grade number, as well as our own unique batch number in order to trace and authenticate the origin of our honey.

The UMFHA™ (Unique Mānuka Factor Honey Association) was founded in New Zealand in 1998 as an independent body to authenticate and grade Mānuka honey.

The goal is to both protect the industry, and the consumer. UMF™ is widely recognised as the only association to actively test and uphold the industry to a specific standardised model.

All New Zealand Mānuka honey that displays the UMF™ grading must be registered and licenced with the UMFHA™..

KA NOA™ Mānuka Honey

Find the right grade for you.

3 x 125g|

The gift with purpose. This kit contains a convenient trio of our Single Origin Mānuka honey products. Contents: 125g UMF™ 5+ / 83 MGO, 125g UMF™ 10+ / 289 MGO, and 125g UMF™ 15+ / 514 MGO. UMF™® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 25+|1200 MGO

MĀNUKA HONEY UMF™ 25+ / 1200 MGO Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 1200 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour. UMF® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 20+|829 MGO

Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 829 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour.

UMF™® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 18+|686 MGO

Mānuka Honey UMF™ 18+ / 696 MGO Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 696 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour. UMF® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 15+|514 MGO

Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 514 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour.

UMF™® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 10+|289 MGO

Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 263 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour.

UMF™® Certificate provided.

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UMF™ 5+|83 MGO

Single Origin Mānuka honey certified to contain a minimum of 83 mg/kg Methylgloxal - unblended to retain its unique flavour.

UMF™® Certificate provided.

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GLOSSARY

Anti-Inflammatory →

Used to reduce inflammation. Mānuka honey has suggested anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for gut health.

Antimicrobial →

Active against microbes. The key wellbeing factor in Mānuka honey is its additional antimicrobial activity. This is what makes it so unique. This activity includes unique chemicals such as Methylglyoxal (MG), and others. MG is formed by a chemical reaction that occurs after the bees have processed the Mānuka nectar into honey. The levels of this activity present in the honey are reflected in the UMF™ grading system.

Antioxidant →

A substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. Mānuka honey has suggested antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Antiviral →

Chiefly of a drug or treatment. Effective against viruses. Mānuka honey has suggested antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Apiarist →

One who keeps bees, specifically one who cares for and raises bees for commercial or agricultural purposes. Also called beekeeper. We work alongside leading apiarists, who nurture the hives and facilitate the harvest to ensure the honey is preserved.

Benefits →

An advantage or profit gained from something. Mānuka has a long anecdotal history of medicinal use and has traditionally been used for wound healing, soothing sore throats, preventing tooth decay, joint pain, improving digestive issues, and more.

Counterfeit →

Made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud. The Mānuka honey industry is one of the most adulterated on the planet. All of our products are UMF™ certified, to ensure authenticity and accurate grading.

Dietary →

Relating to or provided by diet. We believe in balance and continuity in assisting health. For all requirements, please consult your medical professional.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) →

A precursor chemical of MGO, is found in the nectar of Leptospermum Scoparium (Mānuka) DHA naturally occurs in Mānuka honey – and is present on harvest, but over a period of time it converts to MGO – one of the active compounds that makes Mānuka honey so special. This is a natural chemical process.

Dosage →

The size or frequency of a dose of a medicine or drug. We recommend 1 - 2 teaspoons daily for good natural health maintenance.

Drone bees →

A drone is a male honey bee. Unlike the female worker bee, drones do not have stingers and gather neither nectar nor pollen. A drone's primary role is to mate with an unfertilized queen. The care and maintenance of our hives is paramount. Our team works to ensure minimal interference.

Efficacy →

The ability to produce a desired or intended result. All of our products are held to the highest standards to ensure the best possible results when consumed, or topically applied. We believe in the natural properties of the product.

Environmental impact →

Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting from a facility's activities, products, or services. This is important. Not only are we providing a product that has deep ties to our local topography, but we are also seeking to assist and support both our local community and the natural landscape through our services.

Gut health →

Describes the function and balance of bacteria of the many parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Ideally, organs such as the oesophagus, stomach and intestines all work together to allow us to eat and digest food without discomfort. Mānuka has been suggested to assist with digestive issues, and is a great natural alternative to other sweeteners.

Harvest →

The process or period of gathering in crops. The Mānuka harvest is annual, commencing shortly after the flower blooms (leading into the Southern Hemisphere summer).

Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) →

Produced from the breakdown of sugar and is used as an indicator of heat treatment and ageing. The rate of conversion from DHA to MG in Mānuka honey is temperature dependent: higher temperatures accelerate the conversion. This has led to the potential for abuse, with Mānuka honey being heated to quickly increase the content of MG in order to make it more valuable commercially. However if honey is heated above 30 degrees Celsius, a compound called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) can be created in the honey. For this reason, testing for HMF is part of the UMF™ testing process (in order to identify any possible adulteration of the honey).

Kānuka →

Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as kānuka, kanuka, white tea-tree or burgan, is a tree or shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to New Zealand. It has white or pink flowers similar to those of Leptospermum and from its first formal description in 1832 until 1983 was known as Leptospermum ericoides The Kānuka plant also produces honey with similar wellbeing properties attributed to Mānuka honey.

Leptosperin →

Naturally occurring chemical compound. This is only found in the nectar of Mānuka plants, making it entirely unique. The UMFHA™ has developed internationally recognized testing procedures to confirm the presence of key signature markers – MGO, Leptosperin and DHA – found in genuine, pure, quality Mānuka honey from New Zealand.

Leptospermum Scoparium →

A species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to Aotearoa New Zealand. Mānuka is the Māori name for the native Aotearoa New Zealand plant, Leptospermum Scoparium. The Taiho (earth/nature) of the endemic flora is rooted in New Zealand tradition.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) →

The organic compound with the formula CH3C(O)CHO. It is a reduced derivative of pyruvic acid. The MGO and the other antimicrobial activity are often referred to as the non-peroxide activity or its Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) activity.

MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) →

The MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) is an Aotearoa New Zealand government organisation that has established basic testing requirements for honey to be classified as Mānuka honey. All of our products are upheld to the highest standards as set by Aotearoa New Zealand government organisations.

Oral care →

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between teeth. Mānuka contains natural antibiotic properties to benefit gut health and oral care.

Propolis →

A red or brown resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds, used by them to fill crevices and to fix and varnish honeycombs. Propolis is created by the bees from natural sap and resins found on trees. Trees produce these resins at the site of a plant injury and on new shoots. The bees collect the resin and carry it back to the hive where they mix beeswax and enzymes to make Propolis.

Queen bee →

The single reproductive female in a hive or colony of honeybees. The pop culture reference of a ‘queen bee’ might come to mind faster than the bees themselves, but the queen bee is essential to the survival of the colony – and she truly does rule the hive.

Royal jelly →

A substance secreted by honeybee workers and fed by them to larvae which are being raised as potential queen bees. Royal jelly is highly nutritious, and may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. People usually consume it orally or apply directly to the skin.

Single Origin →

A term we have applied to our batch focused initiative. We believe in preserving the terroir of the Mānuka honey, as each batch has its own unique taste. All of our Mānuka honey is traceable to the Single Origin location.

Terroir →

The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate. We have co-opted the French term usually associated with wine to describe the unique flavour profile of Mānuka produced in the different areas of New Zealand.

Tradition →

The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way. For centuries the flora has been embraced by Māori culture - revered for its natural wellness properties and versatility. Traditional uses include an infusion of the bark, used both externally and internally as a sedative and to treat scalds and burns. The ash from the bark was also rubbed onto the skin to treat skin diseases, while vapor from leaves boiled in water was used for colds.

UMF™ →

Unique Manuka Factor, as determined by the UMFHA™. The UMF™ grading system appraises natural markers found in Mānuka honey, and assures purity and quality. The UM™F testing process measures all three unique signature compounds, Leptosperin, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and Methylglyoxal (MGO) present in high quality, authentic honey.

Uses →

Take, hold, or deploy (something) as a means of accomplishing or achieving something; employ. We can suggest the dosage and application, however we recommend consulting your medical professional.

OUR STORY

Experience locality through Single Origin Mānuka Honey.

Our Approach

Single Origin is an approach centred on providing high-grade products, with minimal human interference. Each region of Aotearoa New Zealand produces a distinct flavour profile of Mānuka honey, and we believe this should be appreciated.

Single Origin ensures our Mānuka honey is never blended for homogeniety. Instead, we celebrate the diversity of each batch.

Our Story

Ko Kahungunu he tangata ahuwhenua, mōhio ki te whakahaerei ngā mahi o uta me ō te tai.

Mei kore ake ōku tīpuna hei whakaruruhau i tēnei o ngā uri o Kahungunu e mihi ana, e mahi ana. I pupū ake a Ka Noa i te ngākau manaaki, i te ngākaunui ki tō tatou taiao. Nā reira, e matapono ana i te iti rāwekeweke ki ngā hua o Papatūānuku, nā tēnā ka ora te tangata. Heoi anō, ka tū whakaiti mātou ki te tuku mihi mākoakoa ki ngā mātua, ki ngā whānau e tautoko ana i a mātou e whai ana ki tēnei huarahi o te pī, o te miere. Tēnā koutou katoa.

Hoea rā!

Ka Noa was established in 2016, and is based in the Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa New Zealand. We are locally owned and operated.

The indigenous and official language of Aotearoa New Zealand is Te Reo Māori. The translation of our Te Reo namesake Ka Noa is ‘in its natural state’ - and that’s the ethos we adhere to.

Our team takes great pride in our process. This ensures the best quality product and experience is delivered – along with due care and respect for our local environment.

Nga mihi,

KA NOA

UMF™ CERTIFICATE

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About Mānuka

Mānuka Honey

Understanding The Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF™)