Frequently asked questions about mānuka honey from Bush and the Bee

Below you will find an overview of frequently asked questions. Do you have a question? We might already answer it below. Is your question not listed? Then contact us and we will help you as soon as possible.

For questions about shipping, please refer to Shipping.

For questions about returns or warranty, please refer to Returns & Warranty.

About mānuka honey

Manuka honey is a unique type of honey from New Zealand. The honey is made by bees that collect nectar from the flowers of the mānuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium). This bush grows almost exclusively in New Zealand and blooms for only a few weeks a year.

Manuka honey distinguishes itself from other types of honey because it naturally contains methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is formed during the ripening process of the honey from a substance naturally present in the nectar of the manuka flower.

Furthermore, authentic manuka honey is scarce. The manuka bush blooms for only a few weeks a year and primarily grows in remote natural areas of New Zealand. As a result, production is limited, and each harvest is carefully checked for authenticity and quality.

The combination of the limited flowering period and the unique properties of the nectar make manuka honey so special.

All honey is made by bees, but the nectar source differs. Mānuka honey is largely to almost entirely derived from the nectar of the mānuka bush.

As a result, mānuka honey has a characteristic rich, slightly spicy taste and naturally contains MGO. Furthermore, authentic mānuka honey is extensively tested for, among other things, origin, quality, and authenticity.

Manuka honey is one of the rarest honey varieties in the world. There are several reasons for this:

The manuka bush flowers for only a few weeks a year.
The bushes often grow in remote natural areas that are difficult to access.
The harvest is dependent on the weather during the short flowering period.
Every batch is extensively and independently tested for quality, authenticity, and MGO value.
The honey has to travel a long way from New Zealand to the Netherlands.

All these factors make production costly and mean that manuka honey is more expensive than most other honey varieties.

The mānuka shrub flowers during the New Zealand summer, usually between November and January. The exact flowering period varies by region and is highly dependent on the weather.

Because the flowering only lasts a few weeks, the bees have only a short period to collect the nectar.

No. The quality, composition, and MGO value can vary greatly. Also, not all mānuka honey is monofloral.

With honey from Bush and the Bee, you can be sure that you are buying honey that meets all quality requirements. We can promise this because all our honey is independently tested for authenticity, composition, and MGO value. This is the only way to be sure that you get what is stated on the label.

Monofloral manuka honey comes almost entirely from the nectar of the manuka bush. Multifloral manuka honey contains manuka nectar as well as nectar from other flowers.

To be sold as monofloral manuka honey, the honey must meet strict requirements set by the New Zealand government. These include examining specific natural substances and DNA from the manuka plant.

Our honey is monofloral manuka honey.

MGO stands for methylglyoxal. This is a substance that occurs naturally in mānuka honey and develops during the ripening process of the honey.

The MGO number indicates the minimum amount of milligrams of methylglyoxal present per kilogram of honey. The higher the MGO number, the higher the measured concentration.

Example: our MGO 263+ mānuka honey contains at least 263 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram of honey.

The plus sign means 'at least'.

For MGO 263+, the honey is guaranteed to contain at least 263 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram. The actual value may therefore be higher, but never lower than what is indicated on the label.

Each batch is independently tested for this before the honey is packaged.

UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) is a private certification program managed by the UMF Honey Association in New Zealand. Producers pay for a license to use this seal of approval.

We choose to have our honey independently tested by an accredited laboratory and transparently communicate the measurement results. Each batch is checked for authenticity, quality, and MGO content according to the requirements of the New Zealand government.

This allows us to guarantee the quality of our honey, even without a UMF license. Because a UMF license is a paid license and the honey is not tested more extensively or better than it already is, we consciously chose not to use this commercial quality mark (yet) in our start-up phase.

Bush and the Bee

Bush and the Bee is a Dutch brand, founded by Matthias and Lidewij van der Meer.

During a trip around the world, we discovered mānuka honey in New Zealand. We were impressed by this special natural product with its unique properties. We also found the taste remarkable; a rich, spicy taste, unlike anything we had ever tasted before. Sweet, but not too sweet. Delicious! That inspired us to bring authentic mānuka honey to the Netherlands.

We work with an apiary in New Zealand that places the same high demands on quality, sustainability, and respect for nature as we do. Every batch is independently tested for authenticity, quality, and MGO value, so you can be sure that you are choosing 100% pure, authentic mānuka honey.

The name Bush and the Bee refers to the origin of our honey. The mānuka shrub grows in the pristine nature of New Zealand, also known as the 'bush'. There, bees collect the nectar from which this special honey originates.

Our name stands for the collaboration between the bush and the bee: the foundation of every jar of Bush and the Bee mānuka honey.

Our mānuka honey comes directly from New Zealand. The honey is harvested there by experienced beekeepers, carefully processed, and independently tested for quality, authenticity, and MGO value, before being shipped to the Netherlands.

This way, you can be sure you're enjoying 100% authentic New Zealand mānuka honey.

Our Mānuka honey is bottled in glass jars in New Zealand. This keeps the entire chain – from harvest to packaging – close to the source and ensures optimal quality.

Bush and the Bee is more than just a honey brand. We believe that enjoying a unique natural product can go hand in hand with caring for nature.

That's why we make conscious choices. We offset emissions from production to delivery, opt for sustainable, glass packaging, and invest in more habitats for bees and nature projects. This is how we try to give something back to the bees and nature.

Naturally, we do not compromise on quality. Our manuka honey is 100% pure, without additives or unnecessary processing, and each batch is independently tested for authenticity, quality, and MGO value.

This way, you not only enjoy authentic manuka honey but also contribute to a greener world.

Authenticity & quality

Before our mānuka honey comes to the Netherlands, each batch is independently tested by an accredited laboratory (Hill Labs) in New Zealand.

Among other things, it is checked whether the honey meets the official requirements for New Zealand monofloral mānuka honey. In addition, the honey is tested for authenticity, MGO value, quality and purity. It is also checked whether there are any indications of added sugars or other undesirable substances.

This way you can be sure that you receive 100% authentic mānuka honey.

Yes. Every batch of our mānuka honey is independently tested before being packaged and shipped to the Netherlands.

This includes checking the authenticity, MGO content, and overall quality of the honey. Only when the batch meets all requirements is it released for sale.

Yes. We believe transparency is important. That's why we make the lab reports for every batch available.

You can easily download the lab report for your honey on this page. Enter the batch number found on the label of your jar and download the corresponding lab report instantly.

This way, you can see for yourself which analyses have been performed and what results were measured. That way, you know exactly what's in your jar of Mānuka honey.

It may be stating the obvious; but of course, we don't want to grade our own honey. That's why we choose an independent, accredited laboratory.

Independent tests provide an objective picture of the authenticity, quality and MGO value of the honey. That way, you don't just have to take our word for it, you can see the results for yourself. Because trust is good, checking is better!

That fits our vision: maximum transparency and honesty about what we sell.

Properties of the honey

Our Mānuka honey is 100% pure. We do not add any sugars, syrups, flavourings, colourings, or other ingredients. The honey is also not diluted or unnecessarily processed.

After harvesting, the honey is slowly and unheatedly stirred (creamed). This gives the honey a creamy texture and prevents rapid, coarse crystallisation. Crystallisation is a natural process that occurs in pure honey. Creaming allows the honey to remain pleasant to use for longer, without compromising its purity or quality.

Yes. Honey naturally contains sugars, primarily fructose and glucose. These sugars are completely natural and are formed by bees from the nectar of flowers.

Absolutely NO additional sugars or syrups are added to our honey.

Honey is a natural product. Therefore, the color can vary per batch. This is partly due to natural variations in the nectar and pollen that bees collect during the flowering season. As a result, one batch may be slightly lighter and another darker.

Generally, mānuka honey with a higher MGO value often has a somewhat darker, caramel-like color. However, color differences can also occur within the same MGO class.

These natural variations do not affect the quality or authenticity of the honey.

Due to its high natural sugar content and low moisture content, honey naturally has a long shelf life. Over time, its color, taste, and texture may slowly change, but that doesn't mean the honey has spoiled.

Because of its long shelf life, a best-before date is stated on the label. If you store the honey properly, its quality generally remains good for a long time even after this date.

As with all food: trust your senses. Look, smell, taste!

After harvesting, our honey is slowly and unheatedly stirred, also known as creaming. This creates fine crystals that give it a creamy, smooth texture. At the same time, it prevents rapid, coarse crystallization, ensuring the honey remains pleasantly spreadable.

Just like wine or olive oil, honey is a natural product. The weather, bloom, and nectar can vary slightly each season. As a result, the taste can also vary slightly per batch. This is precisely a sign that the honey is pure and unprocessed.

Every jar is a limited edition!

The structure of honey is influenced by its natural composition and temperature. At lower temperatures, honey becomes thicker, while at warmer temperatures it becomes slightly thinner. Small differences between batches are very normal.

If your honey has become significantly thicker, it is likely that it has crystallized. Don't worry! This is completely natural and easy to remedy. Read more about it below.

Crystallization is a natural process in which the glucose in honey forms small crystals. This occurs in many pure honey varieties and is a normal characteristic of natural honey. The quality, taste, and nutritional value are preserved.

The crystallization process is faster at lower temperatures. Therefore, we recommend storing honey in a cool, dry place at room temperature and not in the refrigerator.

Place the closed jar in a bowl of lukewarm water (maximum 40°C) and let the honey slowly come to temperature. This will thin the honey again without losing its natural properties.

It is best not to heat honey in the microwave or with boiling water, as higher temperatures have a negative effect on the MGO's efficacy.

No. Mānuka honey is naturally gluten-free.

Yes. Mānuka honey is naturally lactose-free and therefore does not contain lactose.

Mānuka honey is a natural product and consists solely of honey. Whether the product meets specific halal or kosher requirements depends on the certification. Our honey is not currently halal or kosher certified.

Yes. Our manuka honey is suitable for vegetarians.

Most vegans do not eat honey, as it is produced by bees.

Therefore, our mānuka honey is not suitable for a vegan diet. However, the honey is harvested with respect for the bees, and our beekeepers always leave enough honey for the bee colony to live on.

Use

Manuka honey is versatile in its use. You can eat it pure from the spoon, spread it on bread, or add it to, for example, yogurt, oatmeal, or a (cooled) cup of tea. Thanks to its rich, slightly spicy taste, it is also delicious in dressings, marinades, or as a natural sweetener.

There is no official recommended daily allowance for Mānuka honey. How much you use is primarily a personal choice. However, keep in mind that honey naturally contains sugars. As with all sweeteners, it is wise to use it in moderation as part of a varied diet.

Yes. Many people enjoy eating manuka honey straight from the spoon to fully appreciate its taste and creamy texture.

Yes. We do recommend letting the tea cool down slightly to a maximum of 40°C before adding the honey. This way, the natural properties of the honey are best preserved.

Yes, you can. Please note, however, that at higher temperatures, the natural properties of the honey, including its MGO content, may decrease. If you primarily use manuka honey for these natural properties, it is best to add it after preparation or incorporate it into cold or lukewarm dishes.

Certainly. Thanks to its creamy texture, mānuka honey is delicious on bread, crackers, rusks, or toast.

Yes. Mānuka honey is a delicious natural sweetener for yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, muesli, or a smoothie.

We advise against heating manuka honey above 40°C. Although the taste remains virtually unchanged, active compounds such as MGO gradually lose their efficacy at higher temperatures. If you primarily use manuka honey for these natural properties, it is best to add it after cooking or incorporate it into cold or lukewarm dishes. This way, you can fully enjoy both the taste and the natural properties of the honey.

Store

Store Manuka honey in a cool, dry, dark place. Close the jar tightly after use to prevent moisture or dirt from getting into the honey.

Avoid direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations. This will optimally preserve the taste, texture, and natural properties of the honey.

No. We do not recommend storing honey in the refrigerator.

At lower temperatures, honey crystallizes faster, making it harder. Storing it at room temperature ensures that the honey remains creamy and pleasant to use for longer.

Due to its high natural sugar content and low moisture content, honey naturally has a long shelf life. Over time, its color, taste, and texture may slowly change, but that doesn't mean the honey has spoiled.

Because of its long shelf life, a best-before date is stated on the label. If you store the honey properly, its quality will generally remain good for a long time even after this date.

As with all food: trust your senses. Look, smell, taste!

Health & nutrition

Yes. Manuka honey can fit perfectly into a healthy and varied diet when used in moderation. It is a natural, unrefined sweetener and, in addition to sugars, naturally contains small amounts of enzymes, antioxidants, and other natural components.

Like other sweeteners, honey does contain calories and natural sugars. Therefore, we advise using honey in moderation.

Per 100 grams, our mānuka honey contains approximately 329 kcal (1,375 kJ).

A teaspoon (about 7 grams) contains approximately 23 kcal, and a tablespoon (about 21 grams) approximately 69 kcal.

Yes, manuka honey is suitable for children from 12 months.

Never give honey to babies younger than 12 months.

Honey can naturally contain traces of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. For older children and adults, this is usually not a problem, but babies younger than one year have an underdeveloped digestive system. Therefore, it is globally advised not to give honey to children under 12 months.

For healthy pregnant women, eating honey is generally considered safe. The bacteria that can pose a risk to babies are neutralized in the adult digestive tract.

Do you have questions about your diet during pregnancy or a specific medical situation? Consult your midwife or doctor.

Yes. For healthy women, the use of honey during breastfeeding is generally not a problem.

If you have any doubts about this or have a specific medical situation, please contact your doctor or the health clinic.

Manuka honey, like other types of honey, naturally contains sugars and affects blood sugar levels.

If you have diabetes or other medical dietary advice, please consult your doctor or dietitian to determine if and how much honey fits into your diet.

Sustainability

Our mānuka honey travels a long way: from the green hills of New Zealand to your kitchen table. Unfortunately, such a long journey also entails CO2 emissions, and that doesn't suit such a beautiful natural product.

CO2 emissions are unavoidable throughout the entire process, from production and packaging to international transport and delivery. We try to prevent this as much as possible and compensate where necessary.

The apiary in New Zealand is Toitū net carbonzero certified.

The beekeeping operation in New Zealand is Toitū net carbonzero certified. This means that CO2 emissions are independently measured, verified, and reduced annually wherever possible. Emissions that cannot be avoided are offset through certified carbon offsetting projects that contribute to nature restoration.

This certification demonstrates that the beekeeping operation is actively working to reduce its climate impact and is annually audited for progress.

As our Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, international transport inevitably leads to CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent these emissions.

Therefore, we compensate for the CO2 emissions from transport through Trees for All. For each delivery, we calculate how much CO2 is released during transport. Based on these emissions, we determine the amount needed to offset them.

We donate this amount to Trees for All. This organization invests our contribution in certified projects that plant trees, restore forests, and enhance biodiversity. These projects absorb CO2 from the atmosphere over the years and simultaneously contribute to healthier nature.

In this way, we not only contribute to offsetting transport emissions but also to a greener world with more biodiversity.

For every jar sold, we invest in a minimum of 2 m² of additional habitat for bees and other pollinators.

We do this in two ways. With every order, you receive a packet of flower seeds, enough for 1 m² of floral splendor in your own garden, planter, or another suitable spot. This way, you can easily contribute to more food and habitat for pollinators yourself.

In addition, we invest in our own flower fields in Drenthe, where we also create a minimum of 1 m² of new bee habitat per jar sold.

Together, this means that every jar of Bush and the Bee mānuka honey sold contributes to a minimum of 2 m² of additional habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Bees are indispensable to nature. They pollinate wild flowers and a large part of our vegetable, fruit, and seed crops. Without bees and other pollinators, biodiversity would decline sharply, and many plants would no longer be able to reproduce.

With Bush and the Bee, we therefore not only want to enjoy the unique mānuka honey that bees produce but also give back to the insects that make this possible. That's why we actively invest in more habitat for bees and other pollinators.

Firstly, because we believe that a special product deserves packaging that matches it. Glass has a timeless, high-quality appearance and allows the honey to be fully appreciated. You see exactly what you're buying. And let's be honest: you don't drink wine from a plastic bottle either.

Glass also has advantages for the quality of our mānuka honey. Glass is an inert and non-porous material. It does not release any odor, taste, or other substances into the contents, so the honey retains its natural taste, quality, and stability throughout its shelf life.

In addition, a glass jar can be easily reused or recycled, making it a more sustainable choice than many other packaging materials. See our full explanation on this on this page.

Yes. Not only our glass jar and metal lid are fully recyclable, our shipping packaging is also designed to be as recyclable as possible.

We deliberately use recyclable materials, such as cardboard boxes and paper protective material, and avoid unnecessary plastic where possible. By disposing of all components in the correct waste stream after use, the materials can be reused.

This way, we try to keep our environmental impact as small as possible, from the jar on your kitchen table to the packaging in which it is delivered to you.

Order

Yes. You don't need an account to place an order. You can easily check out as a guest.

If you'd like to easily find past orders or save your details later, you can always create an account.

You can pay securely with various payment methods, including:

iDEAL
Bancontact
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Klarna (pay afterwards)
Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express)

During checkout, you will automatically see which payment methods are available for your country.

Yes. You can choose to pay afterwards via Klarna, provided Klarna approves the payment.

Yes. Do you have a valid discount code? You can enter it during checkout. The discount will be applied automatically if the code meets the conditions.

No. Usually, only one discount code can be used per order unless we explicitly state otherwise.

You can do so as long as your order has not yet been processed or shipped. Therefore, please contact us as soon as possible via info@bushandthebee.nl. We will do our best to implement changes or cancellations, but cannot guarantee this once the order has been processed.

Yes. After your order, you will receive a digital invoice via email.

Yes. Immediately after your order is placed, you will automatically receive an order confirmation via email. As soon as your order has been dispatched, we will also send a shipping confirmation with a Track & Trace code.

First, check your junk or spam folder. If you can't find the email there either, please contact us at info@bushandthebee.nl. We are happy to help you.

Yes, absolutely! Are you looking for a unique business gift, Christmas hamper, do you want to sell this beautiful honey or collaborate in another way? We'd love to think along with you! Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.

Yes. Are you interested in larger quantities, for example for a company, shop, gift package or event? Feel free to contact us. We would be happy to discuss the possibilities and, if desired, provide a suitable quotation.

Contact

Do you have a question about our mānuka honey, your order, or anything else? Feel free to contact us. You can reach us by email, phone, WhatsApp, or the contact form on our website. We are happy to help you.

Our webshop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our customer service is available on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

We aim to answer all questions within one business day. During busy periods, it may take a little longer, but we always do our best to help you as quickly as possible.

Bush and the Bee is located in Drenthe, Netherlands. From here, we handle the sales and shipping of our authentic mānuka honey from New Zealand.

Yes. You can follow us on social media for a behind-the-scenes look, interesting facts about mānuka honey, updates on our mission and, of course, to be the first to know about new products and promotions.

The best way to stay informed is by following us on social media. That way, you won't miss out on new products, exclusive offers, or updates about Bush and the Bee.