Happy Anniversary to Manuka Honey! Well, Sort of …

2016 Marks 10 Year Anniversary for Manuka Honey Science

2016 is an exciting milestone year for Manuka honey, marking the 10 years since methylglyoxal was first discovered in the sticky, sweet substance. While Manuka honey has been recorded to have been used for thousands of years by native and ancient peoples, this discovery was one that revolutionized the Manuka honey market and helped to make it the popular commodity that it is today. According to Scoop.co.nz, Manuka Health New Zealand is planning to honor the occasion by hosting one of the leading scientists and Manuka honey experts of the world - Professor Thomas Henle.

Manuka Health New Zealand will be hosting a VIP event in the town of Auckland, New Zealand that is scheduled to take place at the end of the month of February. Professor Henle is being honored at Manuka Health’s event for the work he and his team completed at the Technical University of Dresden located in Dresden, Germany – it was this team that first discovered methylglyoxal in Manuka honey. In addition to discovering this compound, the team also determined that it could be used to help distinguish Manuka honey from other types and varieties of honey currently on the market.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this important milestone. The discovery of methylglyoxal in Manuka honey was a game-changer for the New Zealand Manuka honey industry. The research meant honey producers could identify and grade their Manuka honey based on a credible, scientifically based system,” explains Kerry Paul, Chief Executive at Manuka Health. “We are grateful and excited that Professor Henle has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to join us, and to share some of his impressive knowledge on the science behind Manuka honey.”

Paul goes on to praise Professor Henle as a “master in his field” and is sure that everyone who attends the event will “learn things about Manuka honey that they didn’t know beforehand.” The event being hosted by Manuka Health New Zealand is an invitation only event and Professor Henle is slated to share some details of the recent work he has been doing surrounding Manuka honey and some of its more specific properties.