Jarrah Honey vs Manuka Honey: What’s the Difference?

Jarrah honey and Manuka honey are often mentioned in the same breath, especially once you start looking beyond regular supermarket honey. 

Manuka is usually the first name people recognise — it’s been talked about for years, shows up in pharmacies and gift shops, and is often associated with wellness and medicinal use.

So when Jarrah honey appears alongside it, the questions start to come up. 

Is it similar to Manuka? 

Is it meant to be used the same way? 

Why does it taste different? 

And why do some people choose it for everyday use rather than keeping it aside?

While both honeys are known for their natural antimicrobial properties, they serve slightly different roles.

Understanding how they differ — in flavour, use, and even mindset — makes it much easier to choose the one that fits your daily habits, not just what you’ve heard of before.

Where Jarrah Honey and Manuka Honey Come From

The story of these two honeys really begins with the landscapes they come from.

Jarrah Honey: From Ancient Forests in Western Australia

Jarrah honey is made from the nectar of the Jarrah tree, a tall eucalyptus species native almost entirely to Western Australia. These trees grow in ancient forests that are carefully protected and slow to change. 

Jarrah trees don’t flower on demand — they bloom only when rainfall, temperature, and seasonal conditions align. Some years are generous. Others are quiet.

Because of this, Jarrah honey is never rushed or guaranteed. 

Beekeepers wait for the forest to offer nectar, not the other way around. When conditions aren’t right, harvests simply don’t happen, which is why Jarrah honey tends to be produced in small, seasonal batches.

Manuka Honey: Harvested From the Manuka Bush

Manuka honey comes from the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which grows across parts of New Zealand and Australia. 

Over time, Manuka has become widely known for its antimicrobial properties, and production is often centred around these medicinal qualities. While flowering remains seasonal, harvesting is more intentionally planned to meet global demand.

This has shaped how Manuka honey is perceived and used — often as a targeted wellness product rather than a daily staple.

Same Category, Different Journeys

Both honeys are considered monofloral, meaning they come primarily from the nectar of a single plant. But beyond that shared definition, their journeys are quite different.

Jarrah honey reflects the slow rhythm of an ancient forest, while Manuka honey reflects a plant that has become closely tied to focused medicinal use. Where they come from matters — because it shapes not just how they’re produced, but how they’re experienced.

Taste and Texture: What to Expect

One of the most immediate differences between Jarrah honey and Manuka honey is how they taste — and this often ends up being the deciding factor.

Jarrah Honey: Deep, Balanced, and Easy to Return To

Jarrah honey is noticeably less sweet than most honeys. 

Its colour is darker, and its flavour tends to unfold slowly — malty, caramel-like, with a gentle bitterness that keeps it from tasting sugary or heavy. Because of its naturally low glucose content, it also stays smooth and liquid for longer, without quickly crystallising.

This flavour profile makes Jarrah honey easy to enjoy regularly. 

It blends well into tea, warm water, yoghurt, or breakfast dishes without overpowering them. People who enjoy coffee, dark chocolate, or less-sweet desserts often find themselves drawn to Jarrah honey because of that familiar depth and restraint.

If you’re looking for a honey you can reach for daily — something that enhances rather than dominates — Jarrah honey tends to feel more intuitive.

Manuka Honey: Intense, Purposeful, and Distinct

Manuka honey has a strong, unmistakable flavour. 

It’s thicker, more intense, and often described as earthy or medicinal. Some people enjoy this boldness; others find it challenging. Either way, it’s a honey you’re very aware of when you taste it.

Because of this intensity, Manuka honey is often used in smaller amounts — taken by the spoon or mixed into something else rather than drizzled freely. It’s commonly chosen with a specific purpose in mind rather than as an everyday sweetener.

How Taste Can Help You Choose

If you enjoy honey as part of your daily routine — in drinks, meals, or quiet rituals — a smoother, less-sweet honey like Jarrah may feel more natural.

If you’re comfortable with stronger flavours and are looking for something more targeted and occasional, Manuka’s intensity may suit you better.

In the end, taste isn’t just about preference — it’s about how you plan to use the honey. The more often you reach for it, the more that balance and versatility start to matter.

Activity Ratings: TA vs UMF and MGO

This is often the point where people start to feel unsure — especially if they’re used to seeing Manuka honey jars labelled with bold numbers and acronyms.

Activity ratings exist to help communicate a honey’s naturally occurring antimicrobial properties, but different honeys use different systems.

TA (Total Activity) for Jarrah Honey

Jarrah honey is commonly measured using TA (Total Activity) ratings. 

This rating reflects the overall antimicrobial activity present in the honey, coming from naturally occurring compounds within the nectar itself.

TA is measured through laboratory testing and gives an indication of how active the honey is as a whole — rather than focusing on one single compound. For many people, TA ratings help signal quality and strength without turning honey into something that feels overly clinical.

In simple terms, TA gives you confidence that the honey has retained its natural properties, especially when sourced and handled carefully.

UMF and MGO for Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is typically graded using UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) or MGO (methylglyoxal) ratings. These focus on specific compounds found in Manuka honey that are linked to its antimicrobial activity.

Because Manuka has been widely studied, these systems have become well-known and are often used to position Manuka honey for medicinal or targeted use.

Why the Numbers Aren’t Directly Comparable

It’s tempting to compare the numbers on the jar and assume that higher always means better — but TA, UMF, and MGO measure different things.

A higher rating doesn’t automatically mean a honey is superior.

It simply reflects the presence and strength of different natural compounds. This is why a Jarrah honey with a TA rating can’t be directly compared to a Manuka honey with a UMF or MGO rating.

Why This Should Matter to You

Understanding these ratings helps you choose honey with intention.

If you’re looking for:

• A honey to enjoy daily
  
  

• Something versatile and easy to incorporate into food and drinks
  
  

• A balance between strength and flavour
  
  

TA ratings can help guide you without overcomplicating the choice.

If you’re choosing honey for more targeted or short-term purposes, UMF or MGO ratings may feel more relevant.

At the end of the day, ratings are tools — not the whole story.

They’re there to offer transparency and reassurance, not to replace taste, trust in sourcing, or how you plan to use the honey.

How People Usually Use Each Honey

This is where the practical difference between Jarrah honey and Manuka honey becomes most clear. While both are valued for their natural properties, they tend to show up in people’s routines in very different ways.

Jarrah Honey: Built for Everyday Use

Jarrah honey is often enjoyed as part of simple, daily habits. Its balanced, less-sweet flavour makes it easy to reach for without feeling like too much.

People commonly use Jarrah honey:

• Stirred into tea or warm water in the morning
  
  

• Drizzled over toast, oats, or yoghurt
  
  

• Paired with light meals or desserts
  
  

• As a gentle, consistent wellness habit
  
  

Because it doesn’t overwhelm the palate, Jarrah honey blends naturally into food and drinks. It feels more like an everyday ingredient than something you need to measure or limit.

Manuka Honey: More Intentional and Targeted

Manuka honey, on the other hand, is usually approached with a specific purpose in mind. Its strong, distinctive flavour and thicker texture make it less suited for casual drizzling or frequent use.

Many people use Manuka honey:

• By the spoon, in small amounts
  
  

• Mixed into something else rather than on its own
  
  

• For short periods rather than daily routines
  
  

It’s often treated more like a supplement than a pantry staple — something you turn to intentionally, then set aside.

Choosing Based on Your Routine

Neither approach is better or worse — they simply reflect different needs and preferences.

If you enjoy building small rituals into your day, Jarrah honey often fits more naturally. If you prefer something purposeful and occasional, Manuka honey may feel more aligned.

Understanding how people actually use each honey can make the choice feel less confusing — and more connected to how you live.

Price and Availability

Price is often one of the first things people notice when comparing Jarrah honey and Manuka honey, and it helps to understand what’s shaping those numbers.

Manuka honey is generally more widely available.

Over time, global demand has led to more structured production and distribution, which means jars at different price points are easier to find throughout the year. Availability is relatively consistent, even though quality and ratings can vary.

Jarrah honey, by contrast, is often released in much smaller batches.

Because flowering depends heavily on natural conditions, supply can change significantly from season to season. Some years produce enough honey for limited releases; others produce very little. When a harvest does happen, quantities are finite.

What Typically Influences the Price

Several factors come into play when you see differences in price:

• Harvest size:  Smaller harvests mean fewer jars. When supply is naturally limited, prices tend to reflect that scarcity.
  
  

• Activity rating: Higher activity honeys require stronger natural properties and careful handling, which adds to their value.
  
  

• Rarity and sourcing transparency: Honeys that clearly state their origin, harvesting practices, and testing tend to sit at a higher price point. This transparency often reflects the extra care taken throughout the process.
  
  

Understanding these factors helps set expectations.

You’re not just paying for honey in a jar — you’re paying for a particular season, location, and level of care.

That said, Manuka honey is generally more expensive, especially at higher activity ratings, while Jarrah honey tends to offer a more balanced price for those looking to enjoy high-quality honey on a daily basis.

Nonetheless, when you know why a honey costs what it does, choosing between options becomes less about comparison and more about finding what feels right for how you plan to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Jarrah honey as strong as Manuka honey?

Jarrah honey and Manuka honey are strong in different ways. Jarrah honey is measured using TA (Total Activity), while Manuka uses UMF or MGO. Because they measure different natural compounds, the ratings aren’t directly comparable.

2. Can I use Jarrah honey every day?

Yes. Many people choose Jarrah honey specifically for daily use because it’s less sweet, easy to digest, and blends well into drinks and meals without overpowering flavour.

3. Why does Jarrah honey cost less than Manuka honey sometimes?

Manuka honey is usually more expensive due to global demand and widespread recognition. Jarrah honey pricing reflects seasonal harvests and smaller batches rather than mass production, which can make it feel more balanced for everyday use.

4. Does Jarrah honey crystallise like other honeys?

Jarrah honey crystallises much more slowly than most honeys because of its naturally low glucose content. Many jars stay smooth and liquid for long periods without heating or processing.

5. Which honey should I choose if I’m new to premium honeys?

If you’re new to premium honeys, Jarrah honey is often a good place to start. Its balanced flavour

So, Which Should You Choose?

The choice between Jarrah honey and Manuka honey isn’t about which one is superior — it’s about what fits your lifestyle.

If you value:

• A less sweet, more complex flavour
  
  

• A honey you can enjoy daily
  
  

• A naturally rare, small-batch product
  
  

Jarrah honey may be the better fit.

If your focus is:

• Strong medicinal use
  
  

• Occasional, targeted support
  
  

• Intensity over versatility
  
  

Manuka honey may suit you better.

You can also explore jarrah honey in more depth, learn about its natural properties in jarrah honey benefits, or browse our Super Honey Collection if you’re curious to experience different high-quality honeys side by side.

Sometimes, the difference isn’t about choosing one over the other — it’s about understanding how each fits into your everyday life.