What it is, why it matters and how to choose the right strength

Manuka honey is known worldwide for its unique potency, but many people are still unsure what the numbers on the label actually mean. MGO100, MGO600, MGO1200, MGO2200 — these figures shape the honey’s value, its strength and its therapeutic potential. To understand Manuka honey properly, you need to understand MGO.

This guide explains what MGO is, how it forms, why Australian Manuka has some of the highest levels in the world and how to choose the right MGO strength for your health and wellness needs.

What Is MGO?

The key to Manuka honey’s unique power

MGO stands for methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound found in genuine Manuka honey. It is the primary reason Manuka honey is so prized.

Unlike most honeys, Manuka contains non-peroxide activity (NPA), which gives it strong antimicrobial properties. MGO is the chemical marker that correlates directly to that activity. In simple terms:

Higher MGO means stronger antibacterial and therapeutic potential.

For example:

MGO100 = entry-level natural support
MGO600 = restorative antibacterial strength
MGO1200+ = premium potency
MGO2000+ = rare, ultra-high activity
MGO2200+ = among the strongest Manuka honeys in the world

MGO is measured in milligrams per kilogram of honey (mg/kg). If you see a jar labelled MGO1200, it contains at least 1200 mg of methylglyoxal per kg.

Where Does MGO Come From?

The miraculous conversion from flower to hive

Manuka honey is created through a remarkable natural process involving the plant, the bees and time.

The nectar begins with DHA
Manuka flowers contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in their nectar. DHA is the precursor to MGO. Different Leptospermum species have different DHA levels. Australia’s native Manuka species include some of the highest known DHA concentrations in the world.
Bees gather the nectar
Bees visit Manuka flowers, collect DHA-rich nectar and bring it back to the hive.
Enzymes convert DHA into MGO
Inside the hive, bees reduce moisture, add enzymes and transform the nectar. Over time, DHA naturally converts into methylglyoxal.
MGO continues to increase as the honey matures
Unlike most honeys, Manuka keeps strengthening in the jar. The DHA-to-MGO conversion continues for 12 to 18 months after harvesting.

This is why testing and batch tracking are essential. Not all Manuka honeys reach high, stable levels, and reputable producers ensure they only label the honey with the MGO it has already achieved — not future predictions.

Gather By independently tests each batch and displays verified MGO on every jar, backed by secure QR-code traceability.

Why Australian Manuka Has Exceptional MGO Levels

Diverse species, unique climates and stronger biology

Australia is home to eighty-seven Leptospermum species. Fourteen are proven DHA-active. This diversity gives Australia a natural advantage.

Higher DHA potential
Some Australian species produce nectar with DHA levels up to ten times higher than New Zealand’s scoparium. Higher DHA means higher MGO.
Multiple flowering windows
Different species bloom at different times, allowing more opportunities for strong harvests and higher conversion rates.
Superior growing conditions
Australian soils, rainfall patterns and regional climates contribute to higher nectar activity in certain bioregions.
The Medicinal Honey Forest advantage
Gather By’s regenerative planting model enhances MGO potential by:

growing multiple high-DHA species together
supporting bees with diverse fodder plants
placing forests in bio-matched regions
protecting bees from stress, heat and disease
reducing monoculture weakness

This creates stronger, healthier honey with more consistent MGO across seasons.

How MGO Levels Are Tested and Certified

What honest producers do differently

Every batch of Gather By Manuka honey undergoes independent laboratory testing for:

MGO concentration
DHA (the precursor)
HMF (heat damage indicator)
Purity and non-adulteration
Leptospermum markers
Glyphosate, antibiotics and contaminants

This guarantees authenticity and ensures every jar contains what the label claims. With our QR-code security system, customers can check batch data instantly.

Lower-integrity producers may test early and predict future MGO, inflating numbers. Gather By never does this. We label only the MGO that has already developed.

What Do MGO Numbers Mean?

A practical breakdown of strengths and uses

Manuka honey is not “strong or weak.” It ranges from gentle daily nourishment to ultra-potent therapeutic strength.

MGO100 to MGO300 — Everyday Wellness

daily immunity
general gut support
energy and vitality
family-friendly use
smoothies, teas and everyday nourishment

MGO600 to MGO900 — Restorative Support

stronger antibacterial activity
digestive repair
sports recovery
moderate skin concerns
seasonal immune stress
more targeted wellbeing

MGO1200 to MGO2000 — Premium Platinum Range

high-intensity antibacterial support
advanced immune care
recovery during periods of stress
occasional skin or topical use
premium wellness routines

MGO2200+ — The Heirloom Collection

Ultra-rare honeys collected only under exceptional conditions from high-activity trees in optimised Medicinal Honey Forest sites.

among the strongest Manuka honeys produced globally
limited release, highly prized
exceptional therapeutic and nutritional value
deep, rich flavour unique to Australian high-MGO harvests

How to Choose the Right MGO for You

Choosing by intention, not by trend

Start by asking: What do I want this honey to support?

For daily health:
MGO100–300

For deeper wellness support:
MGO600–900

For intensive support and premium benefits:
MGO1200–2000

For rare, powerful, exceptional potency:
MGO2200+

Because Manuka honey strengthens over time, higher grades offer more stable therapeutic activity for longer.

Why the Highest MGO Matters

Australia’s rare ultra-high MGO honeys

Manuka honey above MGO2000 is extremely rare. It requires:

exceptional nectar chemistry
perfect weather conditions
healthy, well-fed bees
careful post-harvest handling
slow maturation without overheating

These conditions rarely align, which is why The Heirloom Collection (MGO2200+) is so limited.

But when they do, the result is incomparable: thick, dark, mineral-rich, deeply aromatic honey with extraordinary natural power.

Why Understanding MGO Matters

Clarity leads to confidence

When you understand MGO, you understand:

how Manuka works
why some honeys are worth more
how Australian Manuka is different
what makes your honey authentic
why Gather By can produce ultra-high MGO grades
how to choose the right strength for your needs

MGO is more than a number. It is a marker of nature’s complexity, the bees’ incredible work and the strength of the ecosystem behind every jar.

With Gather By, you get authentic, traceable, regenerative Australian Manuka honey supported by science and produced with integrity.

Understanding MGO in Manuka Honey