FAQ
Q1: What do the terms “Raw”, “Pure”, “Organic”, “Unpasteurised”, “Unadulterated” and “Ultrafiltered” mean in regards to honey?
Raw honey is pure honey. Raw Honey is never heated to the point of pasteurisation meaning it retains all the key nutrients naturally found in honey.
Pure honey means that there are no additional ingredients added such as sugar, corn syrup or artificial flavouring.
Organic honey is produced from the pollen of organically grown plants where there are never any chemicals sprayed on the plants and flowers that the bees gather their nectar from.
Unadulterated honey is pure honey. Adulterated honey is when ingredients such as glucose, dextrose, molasses, sugar, sugar syrup, invert sugar and similar products are added to honey which diminishes taste and quality.
Ultrafiltration is a treatment used to transform raw honey into a product suitable for food processing by removing microscopic particles, pollen grains and air bubbles. Ultrafiltration involves adding water and filtering under high pressure at the molecular level, then removing the water. We never ultrafilter our honey.
Q2: What are the benefits of Manuka honey compared to regular honey?
Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties are what set it apart from traditional/regular honey. Manuka honey is said to be effective for treating everything from a sore throat to clearing up blemishes on your skin.
MGO, or Methylglyoxal plays a big role in these antibacterial effects.
Some of the science-based benefits include:
- Soothing a sore throat
- Healing wounds
- Helps to prevent gastric ulcers
- Improves the digestive system
- It can be applied topically to the skin to keep it free from bacteria and treat acne
Q3: What is MGO and the different grading systems?
At HONEY OF NOOSA our honey is MGO rated.
MGO stands for Methylglyoxal and is a naturally occurring antibacterial component of Manuka honey. Currently the MGO activity rating starts at MGO 30+ and works its way up to MGO 1500+
Beginning at MGO 30+ we usually find honey that is perfect for everyday use. As we work our way up the MGO chart to MGO 550+ and MG0 850+ we find honey that is perfectly suited for its medicinal benefits such as aiding digestive health and improving oral care. At the top of the chart, we discover MGO 1500+ the most potent and strong honey.
Currently at HONEY OF NOOSA our products are rated MGO 30+, 100+ and 250+ and in the near future we will have higher rated MGO honey available for purchase.
Q4: Is your honey raw and organic?
Yes, our honey is both raw and organic.
Our Manuka honey is completely raw, organic, unprocessed, unheated, and unpasteurised retaining all the incredible health benefits that occur naturally in raw honey.
It is straight from the hives, as the bees intended it.
Q5: Do you have your own hives?
Yes, at HONEY OF NOOSA we have six hives.
We source our honey from our own apiary located in the heart of Noosa. We also source from, and encourage expert beekeepers, to participate in our supply chain. This has allowed our family to play a role in providing jobs for the community.
Our experience, which spans three generations, means we have intimate and expert knowledge of the best beekeeping practices.
One of our core values is to ensure we play our part in maintaining the delicate balance of the local ecosystem and ensuring that our Australian native bees and our honey bees all have access to plenty of pollen.
To achieve this, we intend to retain our small batch production.
Q6: How should I store my honey?
Liquid/runny honey should be stored in a cupboard at room temperature. Cooler temperature can speed up the crystallization of liquid honey. Even if stored perfectly, it’s possible that honey might crystalise. This is normal and safe. In fact, this is a sign of pure honey and when you know you have the real deal.
Q7: Why has my honey crystallised/candied and how do I make it runny again?
Crystallisation is a sign that honey is maturing and is a completely natural process that does not alter the taste or nutrition of the honey in any way.
Over time the glucose and fructose react to each other and bind together which creates that crystallised texture. Sometimes it might separate where the bottom crystallises and the top is runny, this is normal. It is what good, raw, organic honey should do.
Want to make it runny again?
Just pop it in the sun or into warm water until it turns runny. Keep the temp under 35 degrees to retain all the wonderful nutrients and benefits that pure, raw Manuka honey is so well known for.
Q8: How long will my honey last?
In Australia our consumer law does not require honey to have an expiry or best before date and with adequate storage, the good news is, honey will last indefinitely.
It may change colour and become crystallised, but it will stay safe to eat. If your honey does crystallise, just follow our tips in question 7 and enjoy.
Q9: What is the difference between your honey and supermarket honey?
At HONEY OF NOOSA our honey is 100% pure, raw, and organic. We will never compromise on this.
Natural honey or raw unpasteurized honey is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals once its heated it loses most of its true beneficial properties.
Supermarket honey is typically pasteurised, ultrafiltered and processed. This is done so that honey can be shelved for long periods of time without crystallizing.
You will never find additives such as sugar or syrup in our product’s. The benefits of Manuka honey are incredible, and we want to be able to pass these on to every one of our customers.
Q10: Why are certain types of honey not available all year round?
As we are a small batch production honey business, we are limited by harvesting on our honey.
We rely on certain flowers to bloom, and, like most things, timing is crucial.
The weather and climate also play a role in what we can harvest.
From year to year, we relish in the anticipation and excitement of what flavours, colours, and characteristics our honey will take on.
Our customers enjoy the best-tasting, pure flavours, that vary with each season.
Q11: Does your honey vary in colour and taste?
Yes, it does.
Our honey comes straight from nature and is influenced by the flowers that are in season. Taste, colour, and texture are determined by the nectar source the bees gather.
Depending on the season and the combination of flowers blooming at that time, our honey is different every single season.
Our honey is also multi-floral so the wonderful diversity of colours and tastes that we end up with very much depend on the flowers that bloom.
Each season is a new experience and different adventure.