Honey is often thought of simply as a natural sweetener, something added to tea, spread on toast, or drizzled over breakfast. But some varieties have a character that goes beyond sweetness. Manuka honey is one of them, known for its distinctive flavour and connection to the manuka plant native to New Zealand.
Egmont Manuka Honey MGO 355+ is made from 100% pure New Zealand honey, offering a rich and naturally sweet ingredient that can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into everyday recipes. Its MGO rating also gives the honey a distinctive point of interest, making it a product worth understanding beyond its role as a sweetener.
What Makes Manuka Honey Different?
Manuka honey comes from bees that collect nectar from the flowers of the manuka plant. The resulting honey is known for its characteristic rich flavour, which can be deeper and more distinctive than that of everyday blended honey.
One feature commonly associated with Manuka honey is its MGO rating. MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound used as one of the markers for describing the potency of Manuka honey. The number attached to an MGO rating indicates the measured level of MGO in the honey.
For Egmont Manuka Honey, the MGO 355+ designation is therefore part of the product's identity, alongside its New Zealand origin and honey character. It is important to remember that an MGO rating is not the same thing as a general health rating. Manuka honey is still a food, and its MGO level should be understood as a product characteristic rather than a reason to make medical claims about it.
A Honey With Many Uses
The beauty of honey is its simplicity. You can take a spoonful straight from the jar, but its possibilities extend much further.
A little Manuka honey can add sweetness to natural yoghurt, oatmeal, smoothies, or fruit. It can also be stirred into warm drinks or drizzled over pancakes and toast. Because of its distinctive flavour, you do not necessarily need a large amount to make its presence noticeable.
It also pairs naturally with ingredients that offer contrasting flavours. Lemon can bring brightness, Greek yoghurt provides creaminess and mild acidity, while nuts and seeds add texture. This makes Egmont Manuka Honey an interesting ingredient for both simple breakfasts and more creative recipes.
A Simple Recipe: Manuka Honey, Yoghurt & Berry Parfait
A parfait is an easy way to let the flavour of Manuka honey stand out without complicated cooking. This version combines creamy Greek yoghurt, fresh berries, crunchy granola, and a gentle drizzle of honey.
Ingredients
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200g Greek yoghurt
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1–2 tablespoons Egmont Manuka Honey MGO 355+
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80g mixed berries
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1 tablespoon chopped almonds or walnuts
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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A few fresh mint leaves, optional
Method
1. Prepare the yoghurt: Add the Greek yoghurt to a bowl and stir in the vanilla extract. For a sweeter parfait, mix in half a tablespoon of Manuka honey.
2. Start layering: Spoon a layer of yoghurt into the bottom of a glass or dessert bowl.
3. Add the fruit: Place a layer of fresh berries over the yoghurt. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work well.
4. Add some crunch: Sprinkle over a layer of granola and chopped nuts.
5. Repeat: Add another layer of yoghurt followed by more berries and granola.
6. Finish with honey: Drizzle Egmont Manuka Honey over the top. Add a few mint leaves if desired and serve immediately.
The creamy yoghurt provides a mild, tangy base that allows the honey's rich sweetness to stand out. Fresh berries introduce natural fruitiness and acidity, while granola and nuts provide a satisfying crunch.
For another variation, you could add sliced banana or Dried Cranberries for a different combination of sweetness and texture.
Nutritional Value of Manuka Honey
According to the nutritional information provided for Egmont Manuka Honey, a 10g serving provides approximately 145kJ of energy, equivalent to around 35 calories. It contains approximately 8.4g of carbohydrates per 10g serving, of which 7.1g are sugars. Per 100g, the honey provides approximately 83.6g of carbohydrates, including 71.3g of sugars. It contains very little protein and fat, with the label listing 0.1g protein and 0.6g total fat per 100g.
These figures refer specifically to the honey. When it is added to yoghurt, drinks, desserts, or other recipes, the nutritional value of the finished dish will naturally depend on the other ingredients and their quantities.
How to Enjoy Manuka Honey
There is no complicated preparation required to appreciate Manuka honey. A small amount can be drizzled over warm porridge, spread onto toast, stirred into yoghurt, or used to sweeten a homemade drink.
For a simple combination, try Greek yoghurt with berries and a drizzle of Egmont Manuka Honey MGO 355+. The mild acidity of the yoghurt and fruit creates a pleasant contrast with the honey's rich sweetness. It can also be used in baking and homemade dressings, where its distinctive flavour can add another layer to a recipe.
More Than Just a Sweetener
Manuka honey demonstrates how a familiar ingredient can have its own character, origin, and story. Its New Zealand heritage, distinctive flavour, and MGO designation make it particularly interesting for those who enjoy exploring different types of honey.
Egmont Manuka Honey MGO 355+ can be enjoyed simply by the spoonful or used to add depth and sweetness to everyday recipes such as the yoghurt and berry parfait.
If you're looking to explore a honey with a distinctive New Zealand character, discover Egmont Manuka Honey MGO at FakhriShop.com and find a delicious new way to enjoy the art of natural sweetness.