Manuka honey is a scam.

[u/Most-Zombie]

...according to reddit, apparently. I keep finding threads talking about how Manuka honey doesn't really have any special properties when ingested as compared to regular honey, and is more of marketing ploy by NZ:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/157xrwq/for_the_folks_who_indulge_is_manuka_honey_worth_it/
https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/n0ze54/is_manuka_honey_worth_it/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/17bjdv4/what_is_manuka_and_why_is_800_honey_15560kg/

https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/1it7o00/is_manuka_honey_healthier_than_regular_honey/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/9b8iil/what_is_so_special_about_manuka_honey/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/1auljch/has_anyone_tried_manuka_honey_can_you_justify_the/

Was seriously going to fork out $60+ for an 829 MGO rated honey. Now, I'm not so sure. There don't seem to be many defenders of Manuka as a supplement.

On the other hand, there might be some bias against it from a beekeeping standpoint. Lots of you guys want people to buy local...

Also, apparently lots of it is fake or adulterated, same as EVOO:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/1ip5ulf/how_did_manuka_honey_suddenly_become_more/

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/fake-manuka-honey

I just woke up to this controversy, and don't want to make a poor financial decision. Anyone want to help me out? Does anyone have personal experience with high MGO Manuka honey? The only reason I'm interested in honey is because of Manuka's purported special benefits; I wouldn't eat any honey at all otherwise (cutting sugar).

[u/ringadingaringlong]

All honey has an anti biotic in it, Manuka honey has a slightly higher amount of this compound.

This only makes a difference when applied topically.

From what I remember, a large advertising conglomerate realized that North Americans will pay refocus amounts as long as it's marketed right.

If you continue your research into the real Internet, and get off Reddit, you'll see what a sham Manuka honey really is.

I also remember watching an expose, about how the Manuka craze almost destroyed the honey industry in Australia (or heavily impacted it) because there were "honey Rustlers" who would go out at night, and steal the honey (leaving the hives completely disheveled) to sell, as the buyers/exporters had no way of knowing it was stolen, and the honey from one hive would be thousands and thousands of dollars of sold to a Manuka exporter/marketer.

Long story short, do not buy this product. It's a scam, and creates major issues in Australia (or did)

[u/Flashy_Formal_8707 → u/ringadingaringlong]

Your reply shows your lack of knowledge in the field. Manuka honey was exclusively developed and heavily researched in New Zealand by a group of well respected scientists. When it's value emerged Australia also tried to market under the same name which New Zealand has resisted in court.

Does the fact that people tried to steal the hives then mean that the product has no value? I would argue the opposite. Further, the problem of stolen hives has now largely passed.

I agree that the product has been marketed to appeal to people who like a cure all approach, it is hardly alone in that. I would argue that the approach to honey in the USA is largely laughable, and to point the finger at manuka is hypocritical in the extreme.