Manuka Honey

[Tilly2]

I've just had a bowl of porridge with half a teaspoon of Manuka honey stirred in. I don't enjoy it because I don't have a sweet tooth. I have the honey because it's 'good for me'.
Is Manuka honey all it's cracked up to be? Is it worth the extra money that you pay for a jar?

[gingejbee]

Lots of different views on this...but, if it does have any therapeutic effects, I suspect it needs to be used over a long period - not just the odd spoonful now and again.

[Tilly2]

I've been having it every day for the last fortnight. I bought the honey with a +5 rating. The ratings go up to + twenty, I believe but the cost is a bit prohibitive.

[jno]

it's used in treating burns; I don't know that its other health-boosting effects have been proved.

You can get a local version

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&;objectid=11134305

[grasscarp]

Just read that Scottish honey as good as Manuka. Daily Mail website in health section

[Tilly2]

Thanks for the link, jno. That's interesting.

[Tilly2]

Well that's a co-incidence, grasscarp. The Daily Mail, you say. O.K. I'll have a quick look.

[murraymints]

Manuka has antiseptic qualities....I always take it with lemon for colds...

[atalanta]

Apparently manuka honey is open to fraud. In most cases, customers simply can't tell if it really is what it says on the jar.
Anyway, I can't see half a teaspoonful making much difference, one way or the other.

[ClaryS]

You can get +5 manuka honey in Aldi for £4.99. It has proven (in vitro) anti-bacterial properties. I like it on Greek yoghurt for breakfast and also use it to dress minor wounds, insect bites and find it very helpful for wounds that won't heal. I had a nasty insect bite that did not respond to normal antibacterial creams so I used the honey and within three days it had improved significantly. it tastes nice too x

[Tilly2]

Thank you all for your answers. I'll carry on and finish the Manuka and then I'll have a look for some Scottish Heather honey. It's bound to go better with Scotch Porridge oats, methinks.

[murraymints]

Tilly I don't know if it is all Scottish honey that has the same properties as Manuka....there is a set of hives in Portobello Edinburgh that has been discovered to be as good....that honey is sold at the Portobello farmers market monthly....don't know if it is available elsewhere....but honey ..any honey must be better than refined sugar !

[Tilly2]

Thank you, minty. Perhaps I'll stick to the Manuka then. It's on offer in Sainsbury's at the moment. I'll get some more.

[murraymints]

I get mine in Costco...2 jars 20+ for £11 ......I buy in bulk when on offer ....

[mccfluff]

you could drink mead instead

[Tilly2]

Wow, minty it's £20.00 in Sainsbury's.

[Tilly2]

I don't think I'd like mead, mcfluff. It would be too sweet for me.

[murraymints]

Costco is the cheapest I've seen anywhere,!

[Tilly2]

We don't have a Costco in Bedford, I don't think. I'll have a Google.

[woofgang]

murraymints, why "must" honey be better than refined sugar?

[Tilly2]

How do you get to be a cash and carry member? Can you just turn up at a cash and carry and ask to join?