Thick. Raw. Real. What "Raw" Means on a Mānuka Honey Label

Tip a jar of most supermarket honey and it pours like syrup. Tip a jar of Wedderspoon Mānuka Honey and it takes its time.

It's also raw. Here's what that word means on a label.

Quick answer: Raw honey is honey that hasn't been pasteurized. Wedderspoon Mānuka Honey is raw and never pasteurized, 100% sourced and packed in New Zealand, and graded by MGO (methylglyoxal), with every batch independently lab tested.

What does "raw" actually mean on a honey label?

In everyday use, "raw" means the honey hasn't been pasteurized, so it hasn't been heated to high temperatures the way most shelf honey is. It's honey kept as close as possible to how it left the hive.

Here's the catch: "raw" isn't a tightly defined label term for honey in the US. That's why it pays to know what a brand means when it says raw.

Why most honey on the shelf isn't raw

Most honey on the shelves is heated and processed until it runs thin like syrup. Heat keeps honey liquid longer and makes it easier to bottle.

The result pours nicely. It also isn't raw and loses its benefits when heated.

What raw means for Wedderspoon

Wedderspoon Mānuka Honey is never pasteurized, retaining all of its benefits, 100% sourced and packed in New Zealand.

What you'll notice in a jar of raw Mānuka Honey

It's thick. Wedderspoon Mānuka Honey is dense and slow-pouring.

It can change texture over time. Raw honey can crystallize. That's not a flaw. More on that below.

Crystallization isn't a problem. It's a sign.

If your honey turns firmer or grainy, nothing has gone wrong. Crystallization is a natural process in honey, driven by its natural sugars.

Raw tells you how it's handled. MGO tells you how strong it is.

Raw is one half of the story. The other half is potency. Every Wedderspoon jar is labeled with its MGO rating: the level of methylglyoxal, the naturally occurring compound Mānuka Honey is graded on. Every batch is independently lab tested by a New Zealand government-approved lab.

The Wedderspoon range runs from MGO 50+ to MGO 1100+.

1. MGO 50+: Best for everyday enjoyment
2. MGO 100+: Incorporate into your meals & recipes
3. MGO 150: A step-up for everyday use
4. MGO 400+: Solid strength for consistent routines
5. MGO 850+: Higher potency for extra wellness support
6. MGO 1100+: Wedderspoon's highest potency, the ideal addition to your wellness and immunity routine.

How to spot raw Mānuka Honey on the shelf

1. Read the label. Look for "raw" or "unpasteurized."
2. Check what the brand means by raw. Because "raw" isn't tightly defined, look for a plain statement of how the honey is handled.
3. Look for an MGO number. Raw and tested is the combination you want.
4. Check the origin. Sourced and packed in New Zealand.

Quick answers

Is Wedderspoon Mānuka Honey raw? Yes. It's raw and never pasteurized.

Is raw Mānuka Honey the same as high-MGO Mānuka Honey? No. Raw describes how honey is handled. MGO describes how potent it is. Wedderspoon labels every jar with its MGO grade, from MGO 50+ up to MGO 850+ and MGO 1100+.

Why did my Mānuka Honey crystallize? Crystallization is a natural process in raw honey. It doesn't mean the honey has gone bad.

Is raw honey safe for babies? Honey should be given to children under 1 year old.

Thick. Raw. Real. Reach for Wedderspoon.

Buy Raw Manuka Honey | Wedderspoon® New Zealand Honey – Wedderspoon Organic