How to Choose Mānuka Honey | MGO, KFactor & Strength Guide

Mānuka honey made simple

• Mānuka honey is a special type of honey produced in New Zealand
  
• Different strengths help show how the honey has been graded and tested
  
• MGO and KFactor are two different ways of describing Mānuka honey
  
• MGO is often the easiest place to start if you are new to Mānuka honey
  
• KFactor 16 and MGO 400 are two of the most popular jars in our range
  
• We also offer Organic 400 MGO and Snap Packs if you are looking for a certified organic or on-the-go option
  

How to choose Mānuka honey

Choosing Mānuka honey can feel confusing at first, especially when you see different strengths, terms like MGO and KFactor, and a wide range of prices. This guide is here to make things simpler.

We’ll explain what Mānuka honey is, why some jars cost more than others, what the different grading systems mean, and how to compare the options in our range. Whether you are completely new to Mānuka honey or just trying to decide between KFactor 16, MGO 400 or a more portable option like Snap Packs, this page will help you find the right place to start.

What is Mānuka honey?

Mānuka honey is a special type of honey produced in New Zealand. It is made by bees collecting nectar from the mānuka bush, which gives the honey its distinctive character and is one of the reasons it is graded differently from standard table honey.

When shopping for Mānuka honey, you will usually notice two things straight away: the strengths are shown differently, and the price can vary quite a lot from one jar to another. That is because genuine Mānuka honey is tested and graded, and higher strengths are generally rarer and graded at a higher level.

In our range, you will see Mānuka honey described using either MGO or KFactor. These are two different ways of helping customers understand and compare the honey, and we explain the difference in the next section.

Why are there different strengths of Mānuka honey?

When it comes to measuring the potency of Mānuka honey, there are two main rating systems: KFactor and MGO. Traditionally, Mānuka honey’s potency was measured using MGO levels. However, the New Zealand Government recognised the need for a more comprehensive rating system, leading to the development of the KFactor rating. Unlike MGO, KFactor considers multiple factors such as pollen count, purity, and live enzymes, providing a more accurate measure of effectiveness.

What is the difference between MGO and KFactor?

MGO and KFactor are both ways of describing Mānuka honey, but they do different jobs.

MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey. In simple terms, it gives you a fixed number showing how much methylglyoxal is present, which is one reason many customers find it easier to compare one jar with another.

KFactor is Wedderspoon’s own grading system. It was designed around a broader view of authentic Mānuka honey, in line with New Zealand’s scientific approach to defining it. It looks at four key chemical markers and the DNA of Mānuka pollen, rather than just one number. KFactor 12 means the honey meets or exceeds 65% Mānuka pollen, while KFactor 16 means it meets or exceeds 75% Mānuka pollen.

We still value that broader approach, but we also know that MGO has become a much more familiar comparison point for customers. That is why we increasingly use MGO to make the range easier to compare, while still maintaining the wider authenticity standards behind Wedderspoon honey.

Why is Mānuka honey more expensive?

One of the most common questions we hear is why Mānuka honey costs more than standard honey. The short answer is that genuine Mānuka honey is carefully sourced, tested, graded, and handled, rather than treated as a generic product.

Price differences usually come down to a few main factors. The first is strength, as higher graded Mānuka honey is rarer and more valuable. The second is size, with 500g jars naturally costing more than 250g jars. The third is the work involved in producing and bringing genuine Mānuka honey to market — from keeping hives in areas where Mānuka is the main flowering bush, to careful grading, independent testing, traceability, and shipping the honey from New Zealand to the UK.

How the honey is handled also matters. Wederspoon focuses on raw, unpasteurised honey that is gently processed to protect its natural character and consistency, rather than rushing it through heavier heat treatment. For us, authenticity matters, which is why we focus on Mānuka honey that is clearly graded, sourced and packed in New Zealand, and supported by traceability and certification paperwork.

How to tell if Mānuka honey is genuine

One of the biggest concerns people have when buying Mānuka honey is whether it is genuine. That concern is understandable, especially in a market where terms, strengths, and labels can feel confusing.

A good place to start is to look for clear grading, traceability, testing, and origin. Genuine New Zealand Mānuka honey for export must meet the New Zealand government’s scientific definition of Mānuka honey and be tested through recognised laboratory processes.

That is one reason we place so much value on trusted supply, clear certification, and full traceability. Our lead recommendation is Wedderspoon, which is sourced and packed in New Zealand, traceable from hive to home, raw and unpasteurised, free from antibiotics and glyphosate, Non-GMO Project Verified, FernMark certified, and independently lab tested.

For every batch of Wedderspoon Mānuka honey, we can provide traceability and certification paperwork on request. In a confusing market, those details matter. They help give customers more confidence that they are choosing genuine Mānuka honey, rather than relying only on front-of-pack wording.

How to choose the right Mānuka honey for you

The best Mānuka honey for you depends on what matters most to you — whether that is a familiar grading system, a specific strength, an organic option, a more portable format, or a glass jar.

If you are new to Mānuka honey, a good place to start is often MGO 400 or KFactor 16, as these are two of the most popular options in our range and give a clear introduction to higher-quality Mānuka honey.

If you prefer to compare by a fixed number, MGO is usually the easiest system to shop by. In our current range, MGO 400 is a popular everyday choice, while MGO 850 is a higher-grade option for customers looking for a stronger MGO level.

If you prefer Wedderspoon’s traditional grading system, KFactor 12 and KFactor 16 remain important parts of the range. They reflect Wedderspoon’s broader approach to authentic Mānuka honey and are still a good choice for customers who value that wider grading method.

If certified organic matters to you, Organic 400 MGO is our certified organic raw Mānuka option and a very rare find in the UK market.

If you want Mānuka honey on the go, Snap Packs offer 5g sachets in packs of 24, making them an easy option for travel, work, or keeping in your bag.

If you prefer a glass jar or a more accessible starting point, Queen Bee 115+ can be a good alternative, although Wedderspoon remains our main recommendation for customers looking for the strongest all-round quality, traceability, and testing standards.

Our bestselling Mānuka honey options

If you would like a simple place to start, two of the most popular jars in our range are Wedderspoon KFactor 16 500g and Wedderspoon MGO 400 500g.

KFactor 16 500g is a strong choice for customers who like Wedderspoon’s traditional grading system and want a larger jar from one of the most established parts of the range.

MGO 400 500g is one of the clearest starting points for customers who prefer the simplicity of MGO and want an easy way to compare strength at a glance.

Both are good examples of the kind of premium, traceable New Zealand Mānuka honey we focus on, and they are often where customers start when they want a jar that feels like a confident step up from the basics.

Why we recommend Wedderspoon

Wedderspoon remains our main recommendation for customers looking for the strongest all-round combination of authenticity, traceability, and quality standards.

Its KFactor system was designed with the New Zealand government’s scientific approach to Mānuka honey in mind, while its MGO range now makes comparison easier for customers who prefer a fixed number.

We also value the wider trust signals behind the range. Wedderspoon honey is sourced and packed in New Zealand, traceable from hive to home, raw and unpasteurised, free from antibiotics and glyphosate, Non-GMO Project Verified, FernMark certified, and independently lab tested. That is why it remains the range we recommend most often.

Frequently asked questions about Mānuka honey

Is Mānuka honey a type of honey or a brand?

Mānuka honey is a type of honey, not a brand. It comes from New Zealand and is made by bees collecting nectar from the Mānuka bush. Brands such as Wedderspoon and Queen Bee are different producers or ranges of Mānuka honey.

What does MGO mean in Mānuka honey?

MGO refers to methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound measured in the honey. The MGO number gives customers a fixed figure to compare, which is why many people find it the simplest grading system to shop by.

What does KFactor mean?

KFactor is Wedderspoon’s own grading system. It was designed around a broader way of assessing authentic Mānuka honey, including chemical markers and the DNA of Mānuka pollen, rather than relying on one number alone. KFactor 12 means the honey meets or exceeds 65% Mānuka pollen, while KFactor 16 means it meets or exceeds 75% Mānuka pollen.

Why is Mānuka honey more expensive than standard honey?

Genuine Mānuka honey is tested, graded, and sourced from New Zealand, which already makes it very different from standard table honey. Price is also affected by strength, jar size, traceability, certification, shipping, and the careful way the honey is processed and handled.

How can I tell if Mānuka honey is genuine?

A good starting point is to look for clear grading, New Zealand origin, independent testing, and traceability. Exported New Zealand Mānuka honey must meet the New Zealand government’s scientific definition and be tested through recognised laboratory processes.

Which Mānuka honey should I start with?

If you are new to the category, Wedderspoon KFactor 16 and Wedderspoon MGO 400 are two of the most popular starting points in our range. They give customers a clear way into premium Mānuka honey, whether they prefer the traditional Wedderspoon system or the simplicity of MGO.

Is higher MGO always better?

Not necessarily — it depends on what matters to you. Some customers prefer the simplicity of a higher MGO number, while others prefer Wedderspoon’s broader KFactor approach. The best choice is usually the one that gives you the clearest and most confident way to compare the options in front of you.

Do you offer an organic Mānuka honey?

Yes. Organic 400 MGO is our certified organic raw Mānuka option and a very rare find in the UK market.