Total: $0.00
Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout
Manuka Honey and Jarrah Honey are two popular honey varieties, particularly across Australia and New Zealand.
Both honeys have some similarities, however they’re very different, each with their own set of sensory and nutritional characteristics.Plant source
Manuka
Manuka Honey is derived from the Leptospermum Tree, which is found in Australia and New Zealand. This honey is produced in both countries. To officially be categorised as Manuka Honey, more than 70% of pollen content in honey must be derived from the Manuka Tree.
Jarrah
Jarrah Honey is derived from the Jarrah tree — a variety of Eucalyptus tree unique to Western Australia. This honey is exclusively produced in WA. The tree only blooms every two years briefly from late spring to early summer.
Jarrah Honey’s local origin, limited flowering season and sought-after healing abilities (we’ll talk about that later) are the main reasons Jarrah Honey is so valuable.
Sensory Profile
Manuka
Manuka has a very high viscosity (meaning it’s very thick and sticky) compared to Jarrah Honey.
Dark cream to dark brown in colour, this honey has a “damp earth” aroma and is strong on the palette. It has a rich and slightly bitter flavour.
Jarrah
This honey has a weaker viscosity — still sticky but runnier than its Manuka counterpart.
Jarrah Honey delivers a beautiful, subtle, smooth nutty-malt flavour and is amber in colour. With a low glucose and highest fructose level of any honey, Jarrah is wonderfully, naturally sweet.
Health Benefits
Manuka
Manuka Honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and is used in medicinal applications as a natural remedy. Being antiviral and anti-inflammatory, manuka honey can be used to treat wounds and prevent infection, help with oral health, soothe a sore throat, soothe ulcers, and even fight acne.
Jarrah
Jarrah Honey is antimicrobial and antibacterial but also has antifungal properties. With a high hydrogen peroxide level, the honey can inhibit the growth of Golden Staph Bacteria. With a low glycemic index, Jarrah Honey helps prevent ulcers and sore throats. Jarrah Honey has an ability to naturally and efficiently heal wounds, skin infections, and minor burns.
Science-y insights
Manuka
Manuka Honey’s antimicrobial effects are caused by a substance called methylglyoxal. This also means that Manuka Honey doesn’t contain hydrogen peroxide is classed as a “non-peroxide” honey variety.
As such, Manuka Honey is up to 50% less antimicrobial than Jarrah honey. However, it’s still effective for wound-healing.
Jarrah
Jarrah Honey gets its antimicrobial properties from an enzyme (glucose oxidase) that’s added by bees as they make the honey. Since Jarrah Honey naturally contains glucose and water, the glucose oxidase reacts with the glucose and the oxygen in the water to produce hydrogen peroxide.
It’s this hydrogen peroxide that bolsters Jarrah Honey with active, healing, antimicrobial properties. Jarrah also contains three times more antioxidants than Manuka that help to support a healthy immune system.
Come on down!
New We invite you to visit The House of Honey in the Swan Valley for a tasting experience in our honey shop. We have a huge selection of locally-crafted honey varieties available — some are common, some are unique (like our amazing Watermelon Honey!). Our WA Jarrah Honey is even lab-tested to show antimicrobial activity TA (Total Activity) readings.
If you can’t make it in person, why not buy some online? Otherwise, we hope to see you soon! We’re open 10:00am – 5:00pm every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
