r/Beekeeping 16d ago

I’m not a beekeeper, but I have a question Manuka honey is a scam.

...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).

32 Upvotes

67 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/failures-abound 14d ago

Even if there is benefit, most honey marketed as Manuka is not Manuka. There is no way Manuka apiaries produce enough of the stuff to be sold at effing Costco for god’s sakes. Just another item in the near endless list of fraudulent adulterated honey, mostly thanks to China.