Organic Manuka Honey

Claridges honeys are collected from hives in remote areas of New Zealand's rainforest and bush covered hills and mountains. Names of indigenous trees such as Manuka, Kanuka, Rata, and Kamahi supply the nectar flow for Claridges honey.

 

Types of honey for sale

Claridges stocks the following New Zealand organic honeys and conventional honeys: Manuka honey (active), Manuka blends, Rata, Kamahi, Rainforest, Wild bush, Raw, Honey dew, Blue Borage, Clover.

 

Size of honey containers for sale

  • Bulk drums (300-330kg)
  • Plastic drums 30kg, 15kg, 5kg (other sizes if required)
  • Plastic pots 1kg, 500g, 250g
  • Glass jars (hexagonal, round, square) 1kg, 460g, 340g, 250g, 120g, 70g, 50g (other sizes if available)
  

 

Labelling honey for sale

  • unlabelled retail pots
  • retail ready with the clients own label (restrictions on organic)
  • retail ready with Claridges label

 

New Zealand's unique Manuka Honey

This honey is by far the most famous of New Zealand honeys. Not only is it delightful to eat but it has medicinal properties that have captivated the Natural Products and Health food Industries around the world. Even conventional medical people view it with respect after a number of studies have suggested it have strong antiseptic activity.

 

Anti bacterial activity of Manuka

Most honeys are antibacterial in some respect. This antibacterial ability is mostly derived from Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), which comes from an enzyme, added by the bee. In the honey industry this is called "Peroxide Activity". Peroxide activity is delicate and unstable and can be easily destroyed by heat, light and water. In Manuka honey there is another antiseptic agent that is much more robust than hydrogen peroxide and which can remain active against certain bacteria after being exposed to heat light and water. It makes New Zealand manuka honey extremely unusual and unique. This anti bacterial ability can be equally called "Manuka Activity", "Activity" or "UMF" (unique manuka factor).

 

How is Manuka activity measured?

Manuka Activity is measured scientifically by registered laboratories using a prescribed method developed by Prof. Molan of the University of Waikato. The strength of the antibacterial activity is shown in a numerical scale using low numbers for low "activity" and graduating to higher numbers for high "activity".

  • High "Activity" - above 15
  • Medium "Activity" - 10 - 15
  • Low "Activity" - 8.2 - 10
  • Not Detectable - below 8.2

South Island NZ bee keepers with hives working manuka

 

Powdered Manuka Honey

Claridges Organic honeys have been dehydrated into powders using "state of the art" vacuum drying techniques. As the method of drying does not use temperatures over 40 degree C the honeys loss none of their qualities. This is especially so with Manuka honey which retains its 'anti bacterial activity'.

Another major benefit of this unique drying method is that the powdered honey requires no additives. The powders are 100% pure dried honey.

Claridges Organic uses this unique honey powder to make lozenges (Soothies) that can be used for throat and mouth care.

Other plant extracts can be added to the lozenges such as propolis, echinacea and kiwifruit.

Organic active Manuka lozenges

For "Active Manuka" honey to work against bacteria it must be in contact with the infected area for a reasonable amount of time. It has been suggested by Dr Molan that 5 minutes of contact time is required for active manuka honey to have a chance to work.

With these facts in mind, Claridges Organic has produced an Organic lozenge pressed out of 100% dried manuka honey powder. As the manuka honey has been dried in heat no more than 40 degrees C, all the goodness of the raw honey is retained as well as its "manuka activity" factor. Soothies are totally unique to Claridges Organic.

Soothies are unique in the world of honey lozenges as they are:

  • Certified organic
  • 100% manuka honey
  • 15+ active in the lozenge form
  • manufactured in temperatures no greater than 40 degrees centigrade

Most other honey lozenges are made of:

  • Less than 10% manuka honey
  • Are predominatly sugar and corn syrup
  • Have been boiled over 100 degrees C