The country's Ministry for Primary Industries has developed a government standard called the Mānuka Honey Science Definition test to identify that all mānuka honey is pure when it leaves the country. Mānuka honey for export from New Zealand must be independently tested. Some apiarists cannot readily differentiate these species, as both flowers have similar morphology and pollen differentiation between the two species is difficult. The mānuka tree flowers at the same time as Kunzea ericoides, another Myrtaceae species also called kānuka, which often shares the same growing areas. This property is due to the presence of a protein or colloid and is its main visually defining character, along with its typical dark cream to dark brown colour.

It grows uncultivated throughout both southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Mānuka honey is produced by European honey bees ( Apis mellifera) foraging on the mānuka ( Leptospermum scoparium), which evidence suggests originated in Australia before the onset of the Miocene aridity. The word mānuka is the Māori name of the tree however, as with many Māori words, the older spelling manuka (without a macron) remains relatively common in English. Used as a sugar substitute, it has a strong, earthy aroma and flavour.

The mānuka tree is indigenous to New Zealand and some parts of coastal Australia, but is today produced globally. Mānuka honey ( Māori pronunciation: ) is a monofloral honey produced from the nectar of the mānuka tree, Leptospermum scoparium.

Honung med smultron in english