Reading the rating
UMF & MGO, made legible
Two competing rating systems mark NZ mānuka honey: UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor — a four-component industry rating) and MGO (methylglyoxal in parts per million — a raw chemical reading). They measure related things, and a rough conversion runs throughout the scale.
The scale
What each band means in practice
UMF 5+ to 9+
Table-grade mānuka
Daily breakfast eating, baking, drizzling on yoghurt. Mild therapeutic action — won't beat a flat white in punch.
UMF 10+ to 14+
Mid-range therapeutic
General immune-support eating; useful for early sore throats; the most common everyday mānuka tier.
UMF 15+ to 19+
Therapeutic mānuka
Sore throats, cold-and-flu support, gut-health regimes. The tier most clinical research has used.
UMF 20+ and above
Premium therapeutic
High-MGO use cases — wound dressing (under medical supervision), severe throat infections, extended courses. Premium pricing.
UMF 5+ to 9+ · MGO 83–262
Table-grade mānuka
Daily breakfast eating, baking, drizzling on yoghurt. Mild therapeutic action — won't beat a flat white in punch.
Price tier: $
UMF 10+ to 14+ · MGO 263–513
Mid-range therapeutic
General immune-support eating; useful for early sore throats; the most common everyday mānuka tier.
Price tier: $$
UMF 15+ to 19+ · MGO 514–828
Therapeutic mānuka
Sore throats, cold-and-flu support, gut-health regimes. The tier most clinical research has used.
Price tier: $$$
UMF 20+ and above · MGO 829–+
Premium therapeutic
High-MGO use cases — wound dressing (under medical supervision), severe throat infections, extended courses. Premium pricing.
Price tier: $$$$