Mānuka is a tree which is unique to New Zealand, Aotearoa. It’s fancy scientific name is Leptospermum Scoparium.

Honeybees collect the nectar from the small white flowers of the indigenous Mānuka tree and through their natural process of adding enzymes and dehydration - dark and aromatic Mānuka honey is created. The beekeepers pay particular attention to the flowering of the trees where their hives are located in remote parts of New Zealand-they know honey which is removed after the short flowering period (only a few weeks per year) will be primarily honey derived from the nectar of Mānuka flowers. 

The beekeepers then test their honey at laboratories to ensure it meets New Zealand's legal requirements.

The strength or grade of Mānuka honey (sometimes known as activity) is dependent on the tree itself and the climate of where the tree is located, (rainfall, humidity, temperature etc.) Beekeepers often don’t know what grading their Mānuka will achieve!