Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Midlands Apiaries supplies bulk and wholesale Mānuka honey and supports private label, OEM and retail-ready programmes for commercial customers in New Zealand and international markets.

The best grade depends on the finished product, market positioning, target price and intended use. Midlands supplies multiple UMF™ grades and can discuss the most commercially appropriate specification for a particular product.

Yes. Honey is used in a variety of skincare and personal care formulations, including creams, masks and cleansers. Cosmetic manufacturers should assess formulation stability, preservation and applicable claims requirements.

It can replace some or all of the sweetener in certain formulations, but it is not always a direct one-for-one substitution. Honey adds moisture and affects flavour, browning and texture, so product trials and formulation adjustments may be required.

Mānuka honey can be used in food, beverages, confectionery, bakery products, dairy, skincare and selected wellness products. Suitability depends on the formulation, manufacturing process and destination-market requirements.

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Honey is usually harvested from removable honey supers that sit above the brood area where the queen lives. Beekeepers inspect hive structure before harvesting and avoid removing frames containing brood or the queen.

The colony can face food stress, weaken, or need supplementary feeding. In severe cases, not having enough in reserve can contribute to colony loss.

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Yes. Honey normally comes from areas kept separate from the queen and brood, and beekeepers check the hive structure and handle frames carefully.

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Responsible beekeepers will always check the colony first and leave suitable food stores based on season, climate, hive strength and expected forage.

Yes. Bees fall back on stored honey whenever nectar isn't available, including through poor weather and colder periods.

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Careful harvesting shouldn't deliberately harm bees, but hive work does cause some disturbance and accidental losses can happen. Skilled handling helps keep the risk to a minimum.

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Yes. Packaging material, weight, recyclability, manufacturing, transport efficiency and end-of-life handling can all contribute to environmental impact. Packaging claims should be specific and supported by evidence.

No. Traceability helps verify origin and handling, but it does not by itself prove good environmental or social performance. It is one part of a wider sustainability assessment.

Look for transparent sourcing, batch traceability, documented bee-health practices, emissions or environmental measurement, credible certification and evidence of progress against clear targets.

It can support native regeneration when it is appropriate to the site and part of a well-designed restoration plan. Planting Mānuka by itself is not automatic proof of biodiversity improvement.

No. New Zealand origin and a Mānuka floral source do not prove that a honey product has been produced sustainably. Look for evidence of responsible practices and current, verifiable environmental claims.

It can be produced in an environmentally responsible way, but no responsible assessment should rely on the floral source alone. Land management, hive practices, processing, packaging, transport, emissions and supplier conduct all matter.

Yes. Each finished batch is tested and reviewed as part of the product-release process.

The filters mainly remove visible beeswax and occasional bee parts or other visible hive-related material.

It passes through 100- to 150-micron nylon filter bags.

Warming reduces viscosity, making the honey easier to blend, transfer, filter and bottle.

It is typically warmed at approximately 45°C for up to two days. During filtration, it may briefly reach approximately 65°C for seconds before being rapidly cooled below 20°C.

No. Midlands’ raw honeydew honey is not pasteurised. Limited warming may be used to support handling, filtration and bottling.

No. Honeydew describes the source collected by bees. Raw describes how the honey has been handled after harvest.

Kāmahi honey's colour, aroma and flavour naturally vary batch to batch due to differences in harvest timing, location and nearby floral sources, so tasting notes and batch specs matter when consistency is important.

Some Kāmahi samples have shown antibacterial activity in laboratory research. That is not evidence that it treats illness or that all jars perform in the same way.

Kāmahi honey comes from Aotearoa New Zealand, where kāmahi is a native forest tree found across a wide range of regions.

Yes. Use it in marinades, sauces, roasted vegetable glazes, baking and dressings. Add it later in cooking when you want its flavour to stand out.

Cold storage helps preserve the quality and properties of flaxseed oil. After opening, Midlands recommends refrigerating the oil and keeping the container securely closed to limit exposure to heat, light and air. Unopened oil should be stored in a cool and dry conditions according to the supplier’s instructions and the requirements for the specific format purchased.

Not on its own. Buyers should also check batch records, certification, origin details and traceability. New Zealand export Mānuka honey must meet separate MPI authenticity-testing requirements.

No. MGO measures methylglyoxal, while UMF is a wider quality-assurance system that assesses MGO alongside other factors, including DHA, leptosperin and HMF.

UMF 15+ is a higher grade, but it is not always the better choice. UMF 10+ may offer better value, while UMF 15+ can suit premium retail or gifting.

Yes. UMF 10+ is a recognised mid-range Mānuka honey grade. It can suit everyday premium buyers and commercial ranges needing broad customer appeal.

For many buyers, UMF 10+ is a good all-round option. It suits core retail, gifting and private-label ranges, balancing a recognised grade with accessible premium positioning.

It can be suitable for selected applications, especially where a richer flavour and darker colour add value. Buyers should complete sensory, processing and shelf-life trials before full-scale production.

Honeydew honey can crystallise, but it often remains liquid for longer than many floral honeys. Storage conditions and batch composition will affect the result.

Honeydew honey is typically darker because of its distinctive source and composition. Colour can vary by harvest, origin and batch.

Yes. Honeydew honey is often richer and more malty, woody or earthy than floral honey. Floral honey is usually more recognisably sweet and may have floral or fruity notes.

Rātā honey pairs well with toast, pastries, yoghurt, mild cheeses, tea and light desserts such as baked fruit or panna cotta. Its gentle flavour adds sweetness without overpowering other ingredients.

Rātā is often positioned as a premium New Zealand varietal honey because of its limited availability, native origin and refined flavour. It is well suited to speciality retail, gifting and food-focused customers.

Rātā honey is made from the nectar of Southern Rātā, a native New Zealand tree. It is associated with high-rainfall native forest areas, including parts of the South Island’s West Coast.

Rātā honey is valued for its smooth texture, delicate flavour and seasonal availability. Southern Rātā does not flower heavily every year, so honey volumes can vary from one season to the next. 

Not necessarily. Rātā is often perceived as clean and gently sweet, while Mānuka usually has a stronger, earthier flavour. Sweetness and flavour can vary between harvests, floral conditions and product formats.

Bulk buyers should check UMF™ or MGO certification, MPI compliance, lab test results, traceability and food safety certification.

Mānuka honey costs more because it has a short flowering season, high global demand and strict testing requirements.

UMF™ and MGO are grading systems for Mānuka honey. They measure authenticity, quality and methylglyoxal strength.

Mānuka honey is better for wellness, export and private label products. Kāmahi honey is better for everyday use and affordability.

Kāmahi honey is a mild everyday honey. Mānuka honey is a certified New Zealand honey known for its MGO content and antibacterial properties.

Only in small amounts and with medical advice.

Generally yes, but consult a healthcare professional first.

No. Infants under 12 months should never have it, and some people should use caution.

Buyers should look for quality systems, traceability, testing, scalable supply, commercial experience, and the ability to support bulk, private label, or retail-ready formats.

Yes. Retail buyers looking to stock a premium Mānuka honey brand can enquire about PURITI as a retail-ready option.

Yes. Midlands can support private label Mānuka honey programmes for businesses looking to launch or extend their own honey brand.

Yes. Midlands supports business buyers looking for bulk and wholesale Mānuka honey supply, including opportunities for large-volume purchasing and export supply.

Award-winning Mānuka honey suggests that a supplier can produce premium honey with consistent quality, strong presentation, and repeatable product performance across batches or grades.

Honey awards help business buyers identify products with strong quality and market appeal. They are especially valuable when supported by a manufacturer with reliable quality systems, consistent production, and the ability to supply at commercial scale.

Midlands-produced Mānuka honey products achieved multiple awards in 2026, including PURITI winning Gold for UMF 10+ and Gold for UMF 20+. Additional products produced within the wider Midlands operation also achieved Platinum, Gold, and Silver results across multiple UMF grades.

It pairs well with cheeses, roasted vegetables, meats, yoghurt, and herbal teas.

It may support gut health by acting as a prebiotic and feeding beneficial bacteria.

 It may help soothe irritation due to its coating effect and natural properties.

Thyme honey can be enjoyed as a natural sweetener in food and drinks, while also being valued for its antioxidant properties, distinct herbal flavour, and use in wellness and skincare applications.

Because it is natural. High-quality Manuka honey contains sugars and particles that encourage crystallisation over time.

Not always, but it is a good sign. Raw, minimally processed honey is more likely to crystallise due to natural particles.

Yes. Crystallisation does not affect its activity or beneficial compounds. It only changes the texture.

Not recommended. High heat damages flavour and nutrients.

Usually, 20–30 minutes using a warm water bath.

Usually, 20–30 minutes using a warm water bath.

No. It is completely safe and still high quality.

Yes. Midlands Apiaries is a New Zealand Manuka honey manufacturer and supplier, supporting wholesale, bulk, private label, and branded supply for distributors, retailers, and importers in the US and other global markets.

Yes. Honey should never be given to infants under 12 months old due to the risk of botulism. Additionally, while honey is a natural sweetener with fewer calories than cane sugar, it should still be consumed in moderation.

For maximum benefits, pair honey with probiotic-rich foods like plain yogurt or kefir. To protect its natural enzymes and prebiotic properties, avoid adding honey to boiling liquids; rather, use it with cold or room-temperature foods instead.

Honey contains complex sugars called oligosaccharides that resist digestion in the upper intestinal tract. They reach the colon intact, where they are fermented by helpful bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria to strengthen the gut barrier.

Honey is a prebiotic. It does not contain live bacteria (or, probiotics), but it acts as a fuel source for the helpful microbes that already live in your gut, helping them grow and flourish.

New Zealand origin matters because it guarantees the honey has passed the world’s strictest legal purity tests, under New Zealand government oversight, before it can be exported.

Mānuka honey originating from New Zealand is the only product in the world that’s governed by the Ministry of Primary Industries for its strict scientific definition, so every batch for export needs to pass a rigorous laboratory test, identifying four chemical markers and a DNA marker. 

The risk arises when honey is exported in bulk drums to be “re-packaged” in other countries. Once the honey leaves New Zealand shores in bulk, it’s no longer under the protection of national law. In many overseas countries, labelling laws are more relaxed and allows suppliers to blend the authentic Mānuka honey with cheaper clover honey, or corn syrups while retaining the “Mānuka” name on the jar. 

To ensure you’re getting genuine Mānuka honey, always look for the “Packed in New Zealand” statement and a valid UMF certification number. 

To be classified as a genuine Monofloral Mānuka honey product, the industry generally recognises a baseline of MGO 83+, which correlates to a UMF 5+ rating. 

Under New Zealand’s strict regulatory framework, ‘genuine’ Mānuka honey is categorised by its nectar purity rather than just potency. To be classified as monofloral Mānuka, the honey must meet specific MPI-set chemical markers that typically correlate with a baseline of MGO 83+ (UMF™ 5+).

Honey that falls below this threshold is classified as multifloral Mānuka. This remains a genuine, trusted Mānuka product, but it indicates that the bees have gathered nectar from a variety of floral sources alongside the Mānuka bush. While multifloral honey is authentic, it does not carry the same concentrated potency or "monofloral" status as higher-rated batches.

No. MGO measures antibacterial potency, not floral origin. While it is a legitimate strength indicator, it does not confirm that the honey was produced from Mānuka nectar.

To perform a reliable Mānuka honey authenticity check, buyers should also look for Leptosperin, a naturally occurring compound found only in Mānuka nectar and widely recognised as a strong indicator of origin.

Leptosperin is measured as part of the UMF certification process, which assesses multiple chemical markers together. For this reason, Midlands Apiaries recommends choosing MGO‑graded honey that is supported by UMF certification or batch‑specific laboratory testing.

Many consider monofloral Manuka honey with high MGO or UMF ratings the best due to its potency and rarity. Other favourites include Rātā, Rewarewa, and Honeydew. These premium varieties are widely used by top private label honey brands in the USA and international retailers.

New Zealand is famous for Manuka honey, known globally for its natural antibacterial activity. It’s considered one of the world’s most premium honeys. This makes New Zealand a leading source for private label Manuka honey and high-quality retail-ready honey products.

Real honey should list only “honey” as the ingredient, have natural aroma and flavour variations, and may crystallise over time. Certified lab testing is the most reliable method. Reputable private label honey manufacturers and wholesale suppliers test every batch for authenticity.

Yes, formulated for daily use, they are suitable for adults and children over one year old, where consumption is not a choking risk. Their trusted formulation also appeals to private label manufacturers and retail-ready honey brands.

These lozenges contain certified Manuka honey with verified MGO levels, offering genuine antibacterial effects compared to standard sugar lozenges. This makes them attractive for private label wellness products.

Manuka honey lozenges soothe sore throats, support immunity, and provide antibacterial benefits in a convenient format. They are ideal for wellness-focused retail ranges and private label honey brands.

Perfect on toast, in tea, or as a culinary ingredient, it suits both everyday use and gourmet applications. Its versatility is attractive for retail-ready honey products.

Mount Somers honey is a pure New Zealand honey with rich, robust floral notes. Its authenticity and flavour make it ideal for private label honey brands and wholesale honey suppliers.

They provide convenient antibacterial and immunity-supporting honey doses, making them appealing for premium private label honey and specialty retail packs.

To open, snap in half and consume directly, drizzle over food, or add to drinks. Their portioned packaging is perfect for private label honey brands offering on-the-go wellness solutions.

Snap packs are single-serve portions of certified Manuka honey, perfect for travel, school, or work. Their portability makes them ideal for retail-ready products and private label honey suppliers.

Manuka honey in a glass jar is often preferred because glass is non-reactive, preserves flavour and aroma, and protects the honey from heat and light that can degrade quality. Glass jars also enhance shelf appeal, making them a popular choice for retail-ready and private label Manuka honey brands.

Primal By Nature offers premium, naturally sourced New Zealand honey with bold, distinctive floral flavours. Its high quality and provenance appeal to both health-conscious consumers and private label honey brands.

Puriti honey offers consistent quality, certified purity, and traceable origin — making it a trusted choice for retail-ready honey products and private label collaborations.

Puriti is a premium New Zealand honey brand offering pure, high-quality honey with distinctive floral flavours. Its clean taste and premium provenance make it appealing for private label honey partnerships and international retail distribution.

Vanilla honey retains honey’s natural antioxidants and soothing properties while adding aromatic flavour. Its gourmet and wellness appeal suits both consumer-facing products and private label honey lines.

Yes, vanilla honey enhances cakes, ice cream, and pastries with natural sweetness and flavour depth. Its indulgent profile makes it a strong choice for private label honey brands targeting dessert enthusiasts.

Vanilla honey blends rich, creamy vanilla notes with natural honey sweetness, offering a smooth, dessert-friendly flavour. It’s ideal for teas, pancakes, and baking, and adds premium appeal for private label honey products and retail-ready gourmet ranges.

Ginger honey is excellent in marinades, dressings, and baking. Its unique flavour also makes it appealing for specialty private label honey ranges and gourmet retail offerings.

Ginger honey combines sweet honey with warm, spicy ginger notes, creating a zesty and soothing flavour. It’s popular for teas, desserts, and wellness remedies, and is a sought-after option for private label honey brands and retail-ready wellness collections.

Lime honey adds a fresh twist to teas, cocktails, and smoothies. Its distinctive taste makes it ideal for private label honey brands seeking variety beyond traditional honey flavours.

Lime honey is bright, tangy, and subtly sweet, with a refreshing citrus aroma. It’s perfect for beverages, desserts, and marinades. Its unique flavour profile works well for premium private label honey brands and retail-ready honey products targeting gourmet audiences.

Use lemon honey to glaze chicken, drizzle over fruit, or sweeten herbal teas. Its versatile flavour makes it a strong candidate for gourmet private label honey collections.