Highest MGO Manuka Honey: Our Strongest Jars and Grades

The short answer

The highest MGO Manuka honey we stock is Egmont Honey MGO 1200+ (UMF™ 25+), with at least 1200 mg of MGO in every kilogram of honey. MGO is the main driver of Manuka honey's antibacterial activity, and the higher the number, the stronger the honey. Every jar we sell is Manuka honey from New Zealand.

If you're after the strongest Manuka honey, here's what the top grades mean, which of our jars sit at the top, and how to check a high-grade jar before you buy.

MGO (methylglyoxal) is the natural compound that sets Manuka honey apart. The number on the jar is milligrams of MGO per kilogram of honey, so MGO 1200+ means at least 1200 mg/kg.

The UMF™ scale runs from UMF 5+ (about MGO 83+) all the way up to UMF 30+ (about MGO 1620+). Jars above MGO 1200+ (UMF 25+) are very rarely sold. The Manuka bush flowers for only a few weeks each year, and very little of each harvest reaches the top grades. That is why the strongest jars are rare, and one of the reasons Manuka honey costs more than other honey.

We call MGO 800 and up our Superior tier. Every jar in this article sits there.

Here are our strongest jars, from the highest MGO down. All are 250g jars from New Zealand.

1. Egmont Honey MGO 1200+ (UMF 25+): our highest grade, and one of the rarest New Zealand produces. Bold and bittersweet, with a deep dark toffee character.
2. Egmont Honey MGO 1046+ (UMF 23+): a monofloral Manuka honey, rich and earthy with caramel notes.
3. Manuka Health MGO 1000+ (UMF 22+) Reserve: the highest grade in Manuka Health's permanent range. Monofloral, velvet smooth with deep, earthy tones.
4. Manuka Health MGO 850+ (UMF 20+) Limited Edition: monofloral, thick, velvety and intensely flavoured.
5. Egmont Honey MGO 830+ (UMF 20+): monofloral and thick, with a dark toffee depth.
6. Comvita MGO 829+ (UMF 20+): from UMF™ licence holder #1019. Smooth, creamy and deeply rich.
7. Manuka Health Ultra MGO 800+ (UMF 19+): monofloral, rich and intense, with a bittersweet dark chocolate finish.

Stocking up? The MGO 1200+ also comes in a 2 pack and 3 pack, and the MGO 1046+ in a 2 pack and 3 pack.

Our four strongest jars

UMF™ is a quality mark run by the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) in New Zealand. As well as MGO, it tests leptosperin, DHA and HMF, and every UMF™ jar shows a licence number. The two scales line up on a fixed table. At the top end:

• UMF 20+ is about MGO 829+
• UMF 22+ is about MGO 971+
• UMF 23+ is about MGO 1042+
• UMF 24+ is about MGO 1122+
• UMF 25+ is about MGO 1200+
• UMF 30+ is about MGO 1620+, the top of the scale

A jar's own MGO rating can sit a little above the table figure. Egmont's UMF 23+ jar, for example, is rated MGO 1046+. Manuka Health's MGO 1000+ Reserve falls between UMF 22+ and UMF 23+, so it carries UMF 22+.

Convert any grade here:

A higher number does mean a stronger honey, but higher isn't automatically better for everyone. Choose the strength that fits how you'll use it and your budget.

• After a daily spoonful, or honey for tea and toast? An Everyday or Premium grade is the easier choice on the budget.
• Want the strongest we have? Superior (MGO 800 and up) is our highest tier. It's rarer, and priced to match.
• Looking for a gift? A rare grade like MGO 1046+ or MGO 1200+ makes a special present.

Higher grades also tend to taste more intense, with a bolder, more bittersweet finish. Still not sure? Our quiz suggests a jar in a few questions, or see our 10 best Manuka honey jars.

Where Superior starts

The highest quality Manuka honey is genuine New Zealand honey that has been tested, labelled and can be traced. Strength is a separate choice. The rarer the grade, the more it pays to check the label for these five things:

1. From New Zealand, clearly stated.
2. Packed in New Zealand, not repackaged overseas.
3. A UMF™ grade with a licence number, or a clearly stated MGO rating.
4. Monofloral or multifloral on the jar.
5. A batch or lot number, so the testing can be traced.

Words like "Active", "Bio Active" or "TA" on their own are not a UMF™ or MGO rating. To check a jar step by step, try our Manuka honey jar checker.

Every jar we sell is New Zealand Manuka honey from Egmont Honey, Manuka Health and Comvita.

The top grades are thick and rich, and most people savour them slowly, a teaspoon at a time.

• Straight off the spoon, so you taste it at its fullest.
• Stirred into tea, or warm water with lemon.
• Drizzled over yoghurt or porridge, or paired with cheese.

Thinking of a daily habit? Here's how to take a teaspoon of Manuka honey a day.

Store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. It doesn't need the fridge and keeps for a long time.