We get a lot of questions about what active honey really is, what it's good for, and how it all stacks up between manuka and other active varieties. Find all the answers you need below!
What exactly is “active honey," and how is it different from regular honey?
Simply put, active honey possesses antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that create health benefits not found in regular table honeys. An active honey derives its potency from the unique floral sources that foraging bees have access to, with greater variety and purity playing a pivotal role. Unlike most inferior, store bought honeys, active honeys provide digestive and immune system support, as well as advanced wound healing and skin care capabilities, that are confirmed by lab analysis. There is a direct correlation between the amount and quality of floral resources and the nutritional benefits the resultant honey provides to both bee and human health.
How is a honey's level of activity measured, and what is "Total Activity?"
A honey's activity level is determined through specialized lab tests that measure the presence of compounds responsible for antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In the case of manuka honey, a compound called methylglyoxal determines its activity rating, or Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). This scale measures the Non-Peroxide (NPA) activity present in monofloral honeys containing nectar from the manuka plant, which is native only to New Zealand and Australia.
For other types of honey, a rating of Total Activity is used to determine its antibacterial potency. This scale measures the combined antibacterial strength of both Peroxide (PA) AND Non-Peroxide (NPA) activity resulting from the presence of plant-based compounds called flavonoids. In some cases, non-manuka honeys are capable of far exceeding the beneficial properties of the famed manuka variety. The Total Activity scale was developed to more accurately compare and contrast honeys worldwide, regardless of their floral sources.
What does the Total Activity scale reveal about manuka and other types of honey?
Most manuka honeys attain a rating of around TA10+ when properly measured on the Total Activity scale, corresponding to minimal beneficial health properties. By contrast, a number of non-manuka varieties are capable of reaching ratings of TA20+ or even exceeding TA30, indicating exceptional antibacterial potency and superior healing capabilities. In other words, the greater the TA number, the more potent (and often more expensive) the honey. Analytica Labs rated our Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey at a spectacular TA33.2, among the highest found anywhere in the world.
What are the health benefits of highly active honey?
In addition to antibacterial and antimicrobial capabilities, the flavonoids present in active honeys have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Some specific benefits include.
How rare is very High-TA honey?
Fewer than 1-2% of commercial or specialty honeys in the world achieve a TA rating greater than 30. Our Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey received an extraordinary TA rating of 33.2, marking it as the purest honey available from North America, and far surpassing even the most premium Manuka and Sidr honey varieties.
How do I know if the honey I'm buying is actually high activity?
Not all honeys are created equal; some varieties are marketed as active or "bioactive," and prominently labeled with numbers such as "10+" or "15+," but the fine print on how this was determined is important. In fact, honey is one of the most fraud-prone commodities in global trade, rampant with adulteration and false claims. If your preferred brand doesn't already publish information on their honey's lab analysis, contact them to verify its Total Activity rating. Killer Bees Honey is the only North American producer to prove our superior quality and ultra-high TA rating through specialized analysis by leading honey tester Analytica Labs.