First Manuka Honey production and discovery of its health properties

Honey production began in New Zealand with the arrival in the early 1800s of Europeans, who brought with them the Italian honey bee. However, honey from Manuka bushes was regarded as a low-quality product and given away.

In the 1930's bee-keepers were still giving away Manuka honey to dairy farmers to feed to their cows. The farmers noticed cows fed this honey did not suffer from diseases affecting other animals. This was probably the first sign there was something special about Manuka honey.

For more information about what makes Manuka honey special, see Methyglyoxal - the science behind anti-bacterial Manuka honey.