Best Manuka Honey: The 6 Tastiest You Can Buy

The best manuka honey is sweet, not too bitter, and can replace regular honey in your morning tea. We tried some of the biggest brands to find out which manuka honey is the best manuka honey—thanks, bees! You’re too good to us.

Despite being a proud resident of Los Angeles, land of a thousand health food stores and posh organic groceries, I had to do a lot of reading up on manuka honey prior to this taste test. I’ll do my best to break it down concisely: Manuka honey is a monofloral honey produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush, a plant that’s native to New Zealand. Because the manuka plant’s nectar contains an antiviral, antibacterial compound called methylglyoxal (aka MGO), manuka honey also contains MGO and has antiviral and antibacterial properties as a result. (Apparently, “most” honey contains MGO; manuka honey just has a lot more of it.) Our designer, Sarah, says her family uses it topically for minor skin irritations.

Alas, I didn’t slather myself in honey for this taste test—I just ate different varieties off of a spoon to figure out which tastes the best. Whether you’re a manuka devotee or a regular honey user looking to see what all the fuss is about, this is the best manuka honey you can buy.

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Best of the Best

Manukora Raw Manuka Honey 50+ MGO

Amazon

As we started tasting manuka honey, I noticed that the higher the MGO, the more bitter the taste. For that reason (and since I was judging this solely on flavor), my favorites ended up being on the lower to middle end of the MGO spectrum. I didn’t detect any bitterness at all in this lovely, honey from Manukora. It has a really interesting, complex aroma; a thick, almost caramel-like consistency; and a nice, rich flavor. This is special-occasion honey (I’m picturing a fancy tea party, naturally), but it’s good for every day too. Bonus points (but not really) for the attractive packaging.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Floral

Airborne Manuka Multifloral 25+ MGO

Amazon

Super floral-tasting honey is generally delicious, but some of the manuka honey we tried straight-up smelled like grandma perfume. This manuka honey from Airborne manages to smell and taste so wonderfully floral without smelling or tasting like bath products. If you really want to lean into its flavor, stir a spoonful of this into an earthy-tasting tea like Earl Grey. In my notes, I commented that this manuka honey tastes like it was produced by “nice, healthy bees who consumed good nectar.” If you like floral, this is the best manuka honey you can buy.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Thick

New Zealand Honey Co. 83+ MGO

Amazon

This was by far the thickest honey we tried. It comes almost crystalized, which I think could turn some people off, but I actually learned it is a good thing: The thicker the honey, the lower the water content. Raw honey in general tends to be thicker and contains more antioxidants, according to Real Simple. If you’re using manuka for its health properties, this one certainly comes off as more concentrated. Oh, and, yes, this also tastes very good. Even at 83+ MGO, it’s not bitter in the least. This would be great smeared on toast with a thin layer of peanut butter.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Convenient

Manuka Doctor Multifloral 30+ MGO

Amazon

Most manuka honey seems to come in a small brown jar that’s nearly identical to other small brown jars of manuka honey. Manuka Doctor is mixing things up with this squeeze bottle of honey, which earned high marks by virtue of being super convenient to eat and use. I know, I know. Squeeze bottles of honey that stand on their caps can leak and their caps can get all sticky, but I’m a squeezer, baby. Live with it! This honey has a little bit of that signature manuka bitterness, but it’s thick and delicious. If you want a convenient honey, this is the best manuka honey.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best High MGO

New Zealand Honey Co. 263+ MGO

Amazon

This honey has a higher MGO content than the other New Zealand Honey Co. honey we tried (higher than any of the honeys we tasted in our taste test, in fact). It’s quite different from the 83 MGO honey—darker and smoother. What it has in common with its lower MGO counterpart? High quality, subtle floral notes, and a rich, wonderful aroma. If you’re looking for a product that packs a lot of methylglyoxal, this is the best manuka honey for you.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Floral (Runner Up)

Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey Kfactor 16

Instacart

I grew up in Florida and the smell of orange blossoms is extremely nostalgic for me. This honey from Wedderspoon has an excellent orange blossom-esque aroma and a strong floral flavor. If you like floral honey, you’ll like this, but I imagine it would turn some people off, particularly if you’re using honey as a sweetener and want a more neutral flavor. Still, worthy of our best manuka honey list.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks