master-cooks | Why It Pays To Buy Manuka Honey At Costco

Manuka honey, renowned for its unique medicinal properties and rich flavor, is often sought after by health enthusiasts and culinary aficionados alike. Buying Manuka honey at Costco offers several advantages that make the purchase worthwhile. Firstly, Costco is known for its bulk purchasing power, which allows it to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. This means you can obtain premium-grade Manuka honey without breaking the bank. Additionally, Costco often carries reputable brands that ensure authenticity, an important factor given the prevalence of counterfeit Manuka honey in the market. The rigorous quality standards upheld by Costco provide consumers with confidence in their purchase. Moreover, purchasing from Costco offers the convenience of bulk buying, which is ideal for those who consume Manuka honey regularly. This not only ensures you have a steady supply but also reduces the frequency of shopping trips, saving time and effort. Furthermore, Costco's generous return policy provides peace of mind, allowing customers to return the product if it does not meet their expectations. Overall, the combination of affordability, authenticity, convenience, and a reliable return policy makes Costco an excellent choice for purchasing Manuka honey.

What is manuka honey?

Manuka honey is derived from the leptospermum scoparium plant, commonly referred to as the manuka tree or the New Zealand tea tree. This plant, which is native to New Zealand and Australia despite its name, plays a vital role in the production of manuka honey. When Western honeybees are within reach of these fragrant shrubs, they collect pollen and nectar to create manuka honey. While this type of honey can serve many of the same medicinal purposes as clover honey or other varieties produced globally, some scientific research highlights manuka honey's superior ability to promote wound healing, combat infections, and provide antioxidants.

The unique compounds that distinguish manuka honey from other types are methylglyoxal (MGO), known for its antibacterial properties, and leptosperin, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Researchers believe these compounds are key to manuka honey's healing effects on the human body.

Although manuka honey can offer significant benefits to adults, it is essential to remember that most manuka honeys are raw and unpasteurized, making them unsuitable for infants.

What's so great about UMF certification?

UMF, which stands for "Unique Manuka Factor," serves as a standard for assessing the concentration of medicinal compounds in a batch of honey. When you encounter UMF-certified honey, you'll typically find a rating ranging from 5 to 25. This rating indicates the amount of MGO (methylglyoxal) and leptosperin present in each batch. Lower UMF ratings suggest that the honey is suitable for cooking or snacking, while higher ratings categorize manuka honey as more medicinal. Currently, Costco offers manuka honey with UMF ratings from 5 to 20.

To achieve UMF certification, honey undergoes a comprehensive series of tests, including a four-factor quality assurance assessment that evaluates its potency, authenticity, freshness, and shelf life. Honey that lacks UMF certification has not been subjected to this rigorous testing and may therefore be deficient in the beneficial compounds that characterize manuka honey.

Additionally, shoppers will notice an MGO rating on their manuka honey. While this indicates a high level of antibacterial methylglyoxal, it is not equivalent to UMF certification. Notably, Costco stands out among retailers as both of its manuka honey brands—Manuka Health and Comvita—are UMF-certified.

Why It Pays To Buy Manuka Honey At Costco

What is manuka honey?

What's so great about UMF certification?

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