How Biosota produces the highest MGO Manuka honey in the world

Biosota Organics combines three generations of beekeeping expertise with the unique Australian environment to create some of the rarest, most potent Manuka honey on earth -  including the highest MGO Manuka honey available.

Medicinal Manuka honey is defined as high-grade MGO Manuka honey that is scientifically tested for its curative compounds such as antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and immune-boosting enzymes.

Why high MGO means higher medicinal value

Our Manuka honey presents exceptional levels of MGO (Methylglyoxal) compared to table-grade honey and is naturally bio-active with anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

These qualities make it a natural choice for supporting the prevention and healing of various health concerns, including burns, wounds and ulcers, antibiotic-resistant infections, gut health, colds, sore throats and coughs, as well as building immunity and supporting general wellbeing.

The higher the MGO number of Manuka honey, the stronger its antimicrobial bioactivity - and the more potent the natural medicinal benefits.

What makes the highest MGO Manuka honey possible?

Achieving such naturally high levels of MGO in our medicinal-grade Manuka honey depends on the perfect alignment of three factors:

1. Manuka flower species and plant maturity
   

2. Optimal climate and growing conditions

3. Careful production and storage methods

The floral source behind our exceptional MGO levels

Manuka trees in rural Queensland and New South Wales are chemically distinct from their New Zealand and other Australian counterparts. Independent testing has shown they produce nectar with higher levels of MGO, making Biosota Manuka honey exceptionally rare.

The ancient Australian Manuka trees started as bushes or shrubs and grew quickly together covering hillsides, often in a very thick pattern. As the Manuka tree matures - reaching heights of 5–6 metres - it attains its peak potential for honey strength, a milestone typically reached after around seven years.

In accordance with The Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA), to qualify as Australian monofloral Manuka, at least 50% of the nectar must come from the Manuka flower itself. Flowering occurs at a time of year when few other Australian plants are in bloom, meaning our bees enjoy an abundant, uninterrupted supply of Manuka nectar with minimal competition from other floral sources.

In our region, we are fortunate to experience up to three flowering seasons each year (September, December, and February) thanks to the subtropical climate. During these times, three high-bioactivity species - Leptospermum whitei, Leptospermum polygalifolium, and Leptospermum liversidgei - flower simultaneously, providing a rich and uncontested nectar source for our bees.

We carefully select hive placement and timing to maximise the short 2–6 week flowering windows of these rare Manuka species, ensuring the production of the highest MGO Manuka honey in the world.

Australia’s pristine eastern coast: The perfect climate

The subtropical microclimate in which our apiary sites are located provides the ideal conditions for Manuka production. Bees are most active in warm, sunny, calm weather and will only forage within a 5 km radius in favourable conditions.

Much like wine or whiskey, honey carries the flavour profile of its environment - a concept known as terroir. Seasonal shifts in rainfall, temperature, and flora all contribute to subtle variations in taste and aroma, meaning no two harvests are exactly alike.

The art and science of MGO maturation

After harvest, the natural compounds in Manuka honey continue to react and mature, steadily increasing its bioactivity. To allow this process to reach its peak, we carefully mature our honey for 12 months before bottling, storing it at temperatures below 25°C (75°F) to preserve its natural enzymes, potency, and quality.

This maturation period is essential because MGO develops as DHA (dihydroxyacetone), found naturally in Manuka nectar, gradually converts over time. When the DHA-to-MGO ratio reaches 1:1, the honey has achieved maximum maturity and optimal bioactivity.

Each batch of our pure Australian Manuka is tested at independent laboratories before packaging to guarantee it contains high levels of MGO activity and to prove its genuine authenticity.

Glyphosate-free, with certified organic range

From bush to table, our honey is 100% natural, non-GMO, and produced in pristine environments far from agricultural chemicals, pesticides, or pollutants. Many of our products are proudly Australian Certified Organic, and our entire range is glyphosate-free - reflecting our commitment to purity and quality.

Our hives are located deep within the bush, state forests, and national parks - far from roads, farms, and urban areas - allowing our antibiotic-free bees to forage undisturbed. Guided by ethical and sustainable beekeeping practices, we keep human intervention to a minimum, safeguarding both the health of our bees and the integrity of the land.

The result: Rare, potent, and naturally powerful Manuka honey

Since 1999, Biosota has been handcrafting some of the rarest and most potent Manuka honey in the world. Our highest MGO Manuka honey is a perfect synergy of nature’s conditions, precise craftsmanship, and scientific validation - making it an unmatched natural wellness ally.

If you’re looking for the strongest, most medicinally active honey available, explore our high MGO Medicinal Manuka Honey range and experience the difference for yourself.