UMF is the comprehensive, independently certified and internationally recognised quality assurance system for New Zealand mānuka honey.

All UMF graded honey will display a UMF number, as well as minimum MGO content. For the UMF mark to be applied to a jar, minimum quantities of DHA, HMF, leptosperin and MGO must be present in the honey.

The honey must also be produced AND packed in New Zealand. UMF Manuka honey will also display a Best Before date, because even though the honey doesn’t expire, the unique compounds in the honey will reduce over time.

The most popular UMF grades are 5+, 10+, 15+ and 20+ though any grade in between may exist.

The ’+’ denotes that the grading could be higher, but never lower. It is important to note that the use of a ‘+’ symbol is used by some brands next to an MGO rating, and on very low MGO manuka honey this can be very deceptive.

The UMF mark is an honest gauge of quality, and why we have chosen to be part of the program with our brand, Lyon Station. Licence number 3038.