Fakes

     fake rolex, fake hermes, fake gucci-we've all heard about these and others but how about fake manuka. manuka? yes, manuka-manuka honey that is. maybe you have tried this very expensive honey that is so popular that fake manuka honey  is being sold.
     why all the fuss? manuka honey or as some like to call it-tea tree honey-is made by bees (of course) collecting nectar from the manuka plant that grows primarily in new zealand. the fuss is because it is said to have greater health benefits and anti-bacterial action than other honeys. other claims are that it helps with digestion, heals burns and improves our immune systems. the maoris have used and believed in its properties for many years before the scientific communities became interested.
     but so far, as much as i have been able to discover, many of these claims have not been tested and in at least one clinical trial the honey did not aid in digestion. ok but honey is a good thing overall.  the larger concern is the "fake" aspect. people are paying a lot more for this honey and may not be getting the real thing. the problem is in the amounts of this honey that is being sold-this number is much higher than the actual amount of manuka honey that is being produced. remember we are talking about honey bees here.
     it is a miracle to me that bees can produce honey and i can appreciate why certain honeys are more expensive than others. i like to buy local honey and it is more expensive than store brands. but i also feel that it is what it says it is. as it has  been said for a long, long time caveat emptor -buyer beware.