The unique island of New Zealand
Manuka honey, a rare variety of honey that is spreadable, with a delicately tangy flavour and unique properties, originates from faraway New Zealand.
The country is situated in the south-western Pacific and consists of a northern and a southern island, as well as countless small islands.
The North Island was also known as ‘Te Ika-a-Māui’ by the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, because of its fish-like shape; this translates as ‘Māui’s Fish’. The South Island had two names: ‘Te Wai-pounamu’ (Jade Water) or ‘Te Waka-a-Māui’ (Māui’s Canoe).
New Zealand is renowned for its diverse and extraordinary natural landscape: volcanoes, glaciers, rolling hills, rugged beaches, hot springs and subtropical rainforests.
The flora and fauna found there are as diverse as the country itself. One plant we would like to focus on in particular in this article is the South Sea myrtle, for it is to this plant – and, of course, to the hard-working honeybees – that we owe the speciality honey known as Manuka honey.
The New Zealand South Sea myrtle
The New Zealand myrtle (Leptospermum scoparium) belongs to the myrtle family and can grow as a shrub or a tree up to 8 metres tall.
The plant, also known as the ‘Manuka plant’, is predominantly native to New Zealand’s North Island. This is because the mountainous regions there offer ideal growing conditions for this weather-resistant plant. Its countless tiny red and white flowers are a welcome source of food for bees. However, the honeybees must be quick, as the flowering season lasts only about 4–6 weeks. Back in the hive, the collected nectar and pollen are then transformed into the unique Manuka honey.
The myrtle family of plants was also very popular amongst the Māori and was used in a variety of ways: the bark was used to make roofs and containers; the leaves were drunk as tea or pressed into oil; and the wood was used to make weapons and boats, amongst other things.
Genuine Manuka honey comes exclusively from New Zealand. The honey owes its name, ‘Manuka’, to the Māori, who called the South Sea myrtle ‘Manuka’.
Our Manuka honey partner: SuperLifeTM
Here at our family-run business, everything has revolved around honey for decades. Working closely and in a spirit of trust with dedicated beekeepers is very important to us. We offer speciality honeys in their original packaging. With SuperLife™, we have a partner with many years’ expertise in Manuka honey at our side, who can supply the original product from New Zealand in accordance with our high Breitsamer quality standards. SuperLife™ owns over 15,000 beehives and is one of New Zealand’s largest independent Manuka beekeeping operations. The hives are spread out across the most remote areas of the North Island’s hinterland: in Wairarapa in the south, Taranaki in the east, and Hawkes Bay.
High quality at SuperLife
Our New Zealand Manuka honey partner places great importance on careful and gentle bottling by specialist beekeepers. Every single jar of honey is produced entirely in New Zealand and tested in accordance with various government requirements, such as the New Zealand UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) certification. This is the only way to guarantee the high quality of the Manuka honey.
The careful bottling process carried out on site by trained Manuka honey experts, together with official certification, guarantees the authenticity and MGO content of our SuperLife Manuka honey.
Further information
Would you like to find out more about the special properties of Manuka honey? Then read the article Special Properties of Manuka Honey.