Jarrah honey has become increasingly popular for its medicinal properties, low glucose levels, and a high antimicrobial activity. And from now it becomes a new rival for a New Zealand’s famous Manuka honey

A process to certify West Australian honey with medicinal and antimicrobial properties is developed by industry and food testing laboratory ChemCentre and funded by a $500,000 grant from State Government. Yes, now will be able to authenticate WA honey with medicinal properties.

Jarrah Honey is only found in West Australia

A native tree unique only to Western Australia, Eucalyptus marginata or more famous as the Jarrah tree. It grows in native forests from Perth to WA’s South West. In late spring and early summer, the trees produce a profusion of flowers; the bees start to collect pollen and the precious nectar to make Jarrah honey.

Jarrah honey is considered as a prized honey amongst beekeepers as the forests that it comes from dwindling in size from dieback and clearing. Besides the price, Jarrah is an amber colored honey with a full-bodied, nutty malt flavor that has amazing healing abilities.

Jarrah honey is antibacterial

The antimicrobial activity of Jarrah honey is derived via natural enzymes in the honey. While the antimicrobial and healing effects of honey have been known for thousands of years, Jarrah honey has become increasingly popular for its medicinal properties, low glucose levels, and a high antimicrobial activity.

Water molecules strongly react with the sugars in Jarrah honey leaving little water available for microorganisms to grow. Bacteria that can cause infections are unable to survive in Jarrah honey because they become dehydrated. That makes Jarrah an incredible healing honey!

Jarrah honey has potential to market all over the world

WA honey industry had not been able to market Jarrah honey with these medicinal properties effectively because it had no official certification process. ChemCentre principal food scientist Ken Dods said the certification would be able to test for and confirm the presence of antimicrobial activity in honey.

"This certification process will protect and grow the WA honey industry," he said.

Sources:
Abc News
The house of honey