Manuka Honey vs. Jordanian Honey
Recently, Manuka honey has gained significant popularity in the global honey market, especially in the Arab world. This honey is often sold at high prices in the markets. At Droub Al-Nahl, we believe that consumers have the right to accurate information. Therefore, this article aims to provide a detailed scientific comparison between Manuka honey and Jordanian honey.
45% Nectar Requirement for Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is produced in countries like Australia and New Zealand from the flowers of the Manuka tree, which thrive in those regions due to favorable climatic conditions. In contrast, local honey varieties are made from various nectar sources available in the Jordanian environment, depending on the blooming season.
It’s important to note that honey is classified by the specific type of flower from which the bees gather nectar. If the nectar from the Manuka flower exceeds 45%, the honey can be labeled as Manuka honey, even if other nectar sources are present. Conversely, if the nectar does not exceed this percentage, it is classified as multi-flower honey (herbal), commonly known as mountain honey in Jordan.
Medicinal Value of Manuka Honey
The popularity of Manuka honey stems from its content of MGO (Methylglyoxal), a natural antibiotic that has been extensively studied in New Zealand and Australia. It received medical approval in 2004 in the UK for wound healing and disinfection in creams containing Manuka honey.
A crucial question arises: Is MGO only present in Manuka honey, or can it be found in other types of honey, particularly Jordanian honey?
Dr. Amal Al-Abadi, an entomology professor at Al-Balqa Applied University, conducted laboratory tests on Jordanian honey to detect MGO and compared it with various samples of imported Manuka honey. The tests revealed that most Jordanian honey types contain this substance, whether it be citrus, eucalyptus, prickly pear, or herbal honey. Moreover, Jordanian honey showed the presence of other beneficial chemical compounds that significantly boost the immune system and combat bacteria and fungi, thanks to the diverse flora in Jordan, which has a rich medicinal history. However, this variety has not received adequate research attention compared to Manuka honey, which has garnered extensive scientific interest from Australia and New Zealand.
Interestingly, some samples of Manuka honey imported for testing contained MGO, but it was not sourced from flowers; instead, it was added during processing. This does not imply that all Manuka honey lacks MGO.
Manuka Honey in the Global Market
A study commissioned by The Sunday Times in the UK found that most premium honey types sold at more than five times the price of regular honey are often not what they claim to be. The study showed that much of the honey labeled as “Manuka” in stores does not contain the unique properties associated with this New Zealand or Australian honey. New Zealand produces only about 1,700 tons of Manuka honey annually, while over 10,000 tons are sold globally each year.
This situation is similar to reports about the adulteration of Sidr honey due to its commercial fame. Honey fraudsters exploit the popularity and demand for Sidr honey, causing prices to soar. At Droub Al-Nahl, we received an offer from a Chinese company to purchase Sidr-flavored honey that was manufactured in China, and aimed at selling it in Jordan, which unfortunately is a common occurrence.
Manuka Honey: The Best in the World?
According to international standards from the best honey competition held in Canada in 2019, Arab honey from Saudi Arabia won this award, while neither New Zealand nor Australian Manuka honey took the title. One of the main criteria for this competition was the medicinal properties of honey, and it was awarded to the mobile bee company owned by the well-known beekeeper Faiz Al-Quthami.
Healing from One’s Environment
Numerous scientific studies have shown that healing from one’s native environment is more beneficial than treatments sourced from different areas. The immunity acquired plays a significant role in this process. For instance, consuming Egyptian honey from local flowers is more advantageous for Egyptians than consuming Jordanian honey, and vice versa.
In conclusion, this article is an effort to analyze and convey insights aimed at enhancing consumer confidence in national products, particularly honey, which can match or even surpass imported varieties in quality. We urge the government and research centers to provide full support for studies focused on local honey and national products to advance them in all aspects.
