Because of its isolation at the bottom of the South Pacific, New Zealand has many trees not naturally found elsewhere. Three of these trees produce uniquely distinctive and delicious honey. The trees are very different in form and have different habitats.
Mānuka
Mānuka trees are hardy and generally small and shrubby. They grow throughout New Zealand, except in the wetlands. They sometimes grow in association with other flowering plants, from which bees collect nectar at the same time as collecting Mānuka nectar.
The resulting honey is a mixture of Mānuka and other varieties and becomes ‘Mānuka Blend’. It has a taste similar to Manuka. It is not assessed for UMF™.
Pohutukawa
Pohutukawa is an extremely hardy tree that thrives in difficult and exposed coastal conditions. Because it flowers for a short time over the Christmas period, it is also referred to as the ‘New Zealand Christmas Tree’.
Pohutukawa Honey has a delicate, subtle flavour and creamy texture. It is possibly the rarest honey from New Zealand.
Rewarewa
Rewarewa was named “New Zealand Honeysuckle” by early settlers from Great Britian, possibly because it is a wonderful source of honey. It is not a vine like the honey suckles of the Northern Hemisphere, but a tall slender tree, native to New Zealand. It grows in the bush covered parts of the North Island.
Rewarewa honey is liquid, has a beautiful deep amber colour and a rich malty flavour. It has high levels of antioxidants, phenols and flavonoids.
