Inside the World’s Highest UMF™ Manuka Honey

A Look at MGO 2190 (2025)

Manuka honey is well known for its quality, but not all manuka honey is the same. One of the rarest and highest-graded types available is the UMF 35+ Manuka Honey from Manuka South. This honey contains MGO 2190, which is currently the highest level in the world.

This honey is part of Manuka South’s Limited Reserve collection. It is only achievable during seasons when conditions are perfect, which makes it difficult to produce. The honey is often gathered from remote parts of New Zealand where the mānuka bush flourishes in dense forests.

People are drawn to this honey for different reasons. Some are interested in it for its strength and quality. Others see it as a special and thoughtful gift. Its rarity, careful packaging, and connection to untouched landscapes in New Zealand make it a standout choice for anyone looking for something unique.

What is UMF and Why Does it Matter?

UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor. It is a grading system used to measure the strength and quality of manuka honey. This system looks at four key compounds that are only found in manuka honey. These are methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and leptosperin.

The UMF number ranks the batch based on the balance of these compounds. A higher UMF rating means the honey is stronger. The key compounds determine whether the honey is actually manukā or another type of honey. 

Manuka South uses the UMF system to show the quality and authenticity of its honey. The honey is independently tested and certified to make sure it meets the standards. This gives customers confidence that they are getting real mānuka honey with clearly measured strength.

The Science Behind MGO 2190

One of the most important parts of manuka honey is a compound called methylglyoxal, often shortened to MGO. This natural compound is a key factor used to measure the strength of manuka honey. Manuka South’s UMF 35+ honey contains MGO 2190, which is currently the highest level available in the brand’s Limited Reserve range.

What is MGO?

MGO is a naturally occurring compound found in manuka honey. It comes from another compound called DHA, which is present in the nectar of the mānuka flower. 

Over time, DHA converts into MGO during the honey’s natural ageing process. The higher the concentration of DHA in the honey, the longer and more carefully it is matured, the more complete this conversion becomes.

Why MGO 2190 is Significant

The number 2190 shows the milligrams of methylglyoxal per kilogram of honey. This is a very high level, and it currently places Manuka South’s UMF 35+ honey at the top of the UMF scale. 

The honey has been allowed to mature under the right conditions to reach this level, and every batch is tested to confirm its rating.

Such high MGO levels are not easy to achieve. They depend on several factors, including:

• The location of the mānuka bushes
• Weather conditions during the flowering season
• How the honey is collected and matured

Because of these factors, honey with MGO 2190 is extremely rare and cannot be made every year.

How MGO is Measured and Verified

All Manuka South manuka honey is independently tested. The results must match the standards set by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association. The MGO content is one of the most important numbers used to confirm a honey’s UMF rating. In the case of UMF 35+, MGO 2190 is the required amount.

Every jar of Manuka South Limited Reserve honey includes this information on the label. This gives customers a clear idea of the honey’s strength and confirms its authenticity.

A Rare Harvest Where Nature Sets the Pace

It’s not every year that nature gives the green light. The chance to produce UMF 35+ manuka honey, like the one we offer, depends entirely on a season that ticks every box. The chances of this can be once every 3-5 years. 

The climate must remain steady. And the bees must be placed in a location untouched by outside interference. When all of these line up, the result is one of the rarest honeys in the world.

This is not an overstatement. According to Manuka South, honey with a UMF rating of 26+ or more is only possible during exceptional vintage years. 

The brand’s Limited Reserve range is a product of these rare conditions, meaning that each jar reflects a very specific time and place that may not happen again soon.

New Zealand's Hidden Landscapes

What makes this honey even more remarkable is where it comes from. The manuka bush grows in the remote hills and valleys of New Zealand, far from cities and farming zones. The beehives used for this honey are only reachable by helicopter, nestled deep within mānuka-rich forests.

This level of care is not just about logistics. It protects the purity of the nectar. In these remote spots, bees are more likely to forage only from manuka flowers, which is key to achieving the right levels of DHA, the compound that eventually turns into methylglyoxal (MGO) during the honey’s natural ageing process.

No Guarantees, Only Nature Decides

The unpredictability of each season means there’s no fixed schedule for harvesting UMF 35+ honey. When conditions are not ideal, production doesn’t happen. This is what makes every release from the Limited Reserve collection a one-of-a-kind batch.

Each jar is more than just a container of honey. It is a time capsule and sealed proof of a rare alignment between weather, environment, and expertise. And once it’s gone, it’s not easily replaced.

Did You Know?

• The helicopter-only access is not just a fun detail. It’s part of what allows Manuka South to protect the untouched environments where the mānuka bush thrives.
• The company only releases Limited Reserve honey when harvests meet extremely high standards. These are not scaled productions. They are rare and intentional.

Why It’s a Gift That Stands Out

In a world filled with quick purchases and standard gifts, it can be hard to find something that truly feels special. Manuka South’s UMF 35+ Limited Reserve mānuka honey offers a different kind of experience. It is not just rare because of its strength. It is rare because of how it is made, where it comes from, and how it is presented.

That’s what makes it a thoughtful gift.

A Thoughtful Choice for Any Occasion

Whether you are thanking someone, marking a milestone, or simply showing care, this honey offers something meaningful. It is a gift that reflects time, patience, and quality. Each jar is part of a limited harvest, hand-finished in a wooden case, and numbered to show its authenticity.

It suits a wide range of moments:

• Anniversaries and birthdays
• Corporate gifts and business recognition
• Health-focused gift boxes or wellness hampers
• Personal tokens of care or appreciation

Unlike many high-end items, this one also holds natural value. It comes from wild New Zealand landscapes, is carefully matured, and is independently certified for strength. It is a gift that shows care on several levels.