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 the rarest and highest MGO-rated, certified organic Manuka honey produced in the world.
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.
This honey presents higher levels of MGO (Methylglyoxal) when compared to table-grade Manuka honey and is naturally bio-active with anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties for the holistic prevention and healing of various health ailments.
Commonly known uses include burns, wounds, antibiotic-resistant infections, ulcers, gut health, colds & flu, sore throats, and coughs, to build immunity, and for general wellbeing.
The higher the MGO number of the Manuka Honey, the stronger its antimicrobial bioactivity levels and the more potent the natural medicinal benefits.
Achieving such naturally high activity levels of MGO in our limited edition, rare, and medicinal Manuka honey grades depends on the perfect alignment of three independent factors:
- Manuka flower species and plant maturity;
- Optimal climate and growing conditions;
- Production methods and storage process.
High MGO Manuka Honey Species
Manuka trees in this part of rural QLD and NSW are chemically distinct from their counterparts in New Zealand and other regions in Australia. They have been proven to produce manuka honey with higher amounts of MGO, the naturally occurring compound that makes Biosota Manuka honey so 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, it will grow to about 5 to 6 meters, with the maximum potential of Manuka honey strength usually only achieved after seven years.
Australian monofloral Manuka requires over 50% of the nectar to be derived from a single floral source (Manuka)! The Manuka plant flowers at a time of year when few other Australian species do, which means there isn’t much competition for the bees' attention. Thanks to the temperate Australian subtropical climate, we can have up to 3 flowering seasons in a year - in September, December, and February - with 3 species of high bioactivity Manuka flowering at the same time (Leptospermum Whitei, Leptospermum Polygalifolium, and Leptospermum Liversidgei), providing a rich and abundant food source for the bees.
We carefully select the placement of our hives and the exact time of year they’re positioned to ensure they take full advantage of the short 2-6 week flowering seasons of the rare Manuka species that produce the highest medicinal grade honey in the world.
Australia's Pristine Eastern Coast Climate
Biosota’s organic sites are concentrated throughout rural QLD and NSW, taking full advantage of the unique microclimate of Australia's subtropical Eastern Coast.
The weather plays a leading role as Manuka trees only produce flowers in warm weather. Bees are most active when it's cloudless and sunny as they use the sun for navigation. Free-range honey bees travel within a 5km radius to wild-forage nectar for honey and do not fly in rain or wind stronger than 20 kph.
Our raw Australian honey is harvested from hives sited in various pristine Eastern Australian forests capturing the unique flavours of that area. Like fine wine, wild Manuka honey has a distinct taste and delicious flavour.
As with wine or whiskey, even small changes in climate, time of year, rainfall, and temperature can produce differences in the honey at the end of the process. In wine, this is known as ‘terroir’ and we can think of honey in much the same way. Different ‘terroir’ produces different honey and because the season and weather are always changing, no two jars of honey will ever be quite the same.
Manuka Honey Production & Storage
The rich fullness of Biosota Manuka is created through the careful cold extraction of our honey from the hive. Biosota avoids heat in our honey-making process as it may kill natural enzymes and bioactive compounds that make Manuka honey so special.
Manuka honey has a high proclivity to increase in bioactivity post-harvest, so we mature our Manuka honey for 12 months following harvest before bottling. It is essential to do so at temperatures below 25⁰C (75⁰F) to maintain optimal bioactivity levels and ensure its high grade and quality stay entirely intact.
MGO occurs during the process of converting nectar into honey. Maximum maturity of Manuka honey is accomplished when DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a chemical compound present in the nectar of Manuka flowers to varying degrees, converts to MGO (Methylglyoxal). When the ratio becomes 1:1 the MGO has completed developing.
Each batch of our pure Australian Manuka is tested at independent laboratories before packaging to guarantee it contains high levels of MGO/NPA activity and to prove its genuine authenticity.
Australian Certified Organic Manuka Honey
From bush to table, Biosota's honey is 100% natural and non-GMO with most of our products proudly Australian Certified Organic.
The rural locations of our unspoiled bee sites, nestled deep in the Australian bush, state rainforests, and national parks, means Biosota is able to produce Manuka honey away from the influence of pesticides, chemicals, or pollutants.
Scattered amoung ancient Manuka trees, hidden far away from highways, towns, or polluting farms is what allows us to achieve our Australian Certified Organic and glyphosate-free certifications. It also ensures our antibiotic-free bees are unbothered by noise or distraction and can go about their harvest efficiently, and calmly; safe from any pesticide-sprayed crops.
Our rich family history as third-generation beekeepers is something we're very proud of. We are fully committed to organic, sustainable, and ethical beekeeping best practices with as little human intervention as possible.
Our results speak for themselves. Since 1999, we have been proudly handcrafting some of the rarest, strongest and highest MGO-rated Australian Certified Organic Manuka honey found anywhere in the world today!
Biosota’s high MGO Manuka honey is cultivated by nature with science, love, and generations of beekeeping expertise. Shop our High MGO Medicinal Manuka Honey range now.