Brand: Melora
Type: Monofloral
Grades Available: UMF 5+ (MGO 100+), UMF 8+ (MGO 185+), UMF 10+ (MGO 265+), UMF 15+ (MGO 525+) and UMF 20+ (MGO 850+)
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Dietary Compliance: Kosher, Non-GMO
Certifications: UMF, Glyphosate Residue Free, MPI Registered Exporter
Price: An 8.8-ounce jar of UMF 15+ rated Manuka Honey is priced at approximately $45.40.
Rating: 7.1/10
As a longtime fan of Manuka honey and all its incredible benefits, I’m always on the lookout for new brands to try. Known for being a true superfood, Manuka honey is loaded with nutritional goodness—think flavonoids, polyphenols, enzymes, and antioxidants. It’s no wonder it has earned such a stellar reputation! On a recent Costco run, I came across Melora Manuka Honey, specifically their UMF 15+ variety, and couldn’t resist giving it a go. Today, I’m excited to share my honest thoughts about this promising find!
Taste and Appearance
It’s housed in a small, plastic container that’s simple to open and easy to scoop from. I was immediately struck by its deep, yellowish-brown color, and semi-opaque appearance—it looked dense, rich, and inviting. Upon opening the jar, I discovered a thick, heavily crystallized honey—nothing to worry about as honey, even when crystallized, doesn’t spoil.
Be prepared for a robust honey experience; this is not your run-of-the-mill, thin, and runny syrup. It has a strong, medicinal taste with a slightly grainy texture thanks to blended honeycomb. It’s incredibly delicious, with a unique herbal flavor and a thick consistency that takes a bit of time to dissolve in tea or water. There’s a hint of bitterness afterwards, making it less sweet than your average clover or wildflower honeys—great for those who prefer a less sugary option.
Grades Available
The cool thing about Melora’s honey is the spectrum of UMF grades they offer, ranging from UMF 5+ to UMF 20+, effectively accommodating every consumer’s unique needs.
Whether you need a gentle immune health support or are seeking a potent remedy for cold sores or flu symptoms, their UMF 15+ rated honey is a worthy contender. But bear in mind that they have not launched higher grades like UMF 24+ at the time of my latest check.
Purity and Authenticity
In my research, I found that their honey is sourced directly from New Zealand, Manuka’s native land. This fact alone testifies to its authenticity. The package prominently features the UMF seal, affirming its quality. Upon further verification with the official UMF website, I discovered that the company also possesses a license number (#2015).
Personally, after two weeks of using two spoons a day, I noted a significant improvement in a persisting stomach issue. The honey also worked wonders for my husband’s sore throat, soothing it after just a few spoonfuls. Following family tradition, we’ve blended the honey with lemon juice for a comfortable cough or sore throat remedy. I also enjoy this honey in my various blends of herbal tea and consistent morning black tea, serving as a potent anti-inflammatory aid.
Brand Reputation
Melora Limited is comparatively a new player in the UMF Manuka honey market, but they’ve already garnered decent reviews online. A visit to their official website (melora.co.nz) will provide more details about their product line-up and brand vision.
Besides manuka honey, they also produce body lotions, moisturizers, face washes, mānuka oil, and mouthwash infused with manuka honey. I noticed that their Mānuka oil even comes with an MßTK quality mark, indicating that Melora is keen on maintaining high standards across their product lines.
Packaging and Size
When it comes to Melora Manuka Honey, the packaging is quite straightforward and practical. The honey is sold either in a 250g (8.8oz) or a 500g (17.6oz) jar. The jars come in a dark plastic material; not only does this safely house the honey, but it also shields it from damaging light exposure. The twist-off lids are easy to handle and are securely sealed to maintain freshness. You can even find the batch number printed on the jar, ensuring traceability – a detail I particularly appreciate.
In addition to these standard jars, Melora provides plastic squeeze bottles for the UMF 8+ and 10+ versions. These 12-ounce bottles have a flip-top on the bottom, making it quick and comfortable to dispense the honey. The thoughtful design minimizes mess and allows precise control of portion sizes – something I found quite advantageous. With the ‘Best By’ date extending over three years from the receipt date, this honey promises extended freshness and potency.
Price and Value
The UMF 15+ grade I tried costs $45.40 online, a little pricier if bought directly from their website. It’s a bit of a splurge, but the pricing is competitive compared to other brands offering similar UMF ratings.
The following chart provides a comparative analysis of the price of Melora UMF 15+ Manuka honey and other leading brands in the market.
What’s crucial to take note is Manuka honey is expensive, simply because there’s strict quality control in place. Unfortunately, unlike other brands, Melora does not offer a “Subscribe & Save” option yet, but they have free shipping for orders above $20.
Pros & Cons
Overall Rating
On the whole, I was pleased with my experience with Melora Manuka honey.
After considering all aspects, I rate Melora Manuka honey with a solid 7.1 out of 10. The product lives up to its reputation as a dependable and high-quality Manuka honey brand.
Despite the minor limitations like the strong flavor and absence of some premium UMF grades, its wide variety, potential health benefits, attractive pricing, and user-friendly packaging establish this honey as highly recommendable. As a regular user of Manuka honey, I found Melora worth experimenting with, and I’m certain other enthusiasts will feel the same.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Carb: 17g
- Total Sugars: 17g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Protein: 0g
*Serving size: 1 tbsp (21g)
