Does Costco Sell Manuka Honey?: Your Guide to Sourcing This Superfood for a Nutrition Diet

Manuka honey is prized for its unique antibacterial properties and potent health benefits, attracting a wide following among wellness-minded consumers. For those building a balanced nutrition diet, a common query is: Does Costco sell Manuka honey? The good news is that this popular wholesale retailer does offer a selection of authentic Manuka honey, though the options and availability can vary significantly between online and in-warehouse inventory.

Quick Summary

Yes, Costco sells Manuka honey, featuring brands like Comvita and Manuka Health, with higher UMF/MGO grades often available online. Understand the grading systems and authenticity checks to ensure you select the best Manuka honey for your health.

Key Points

• Availability at Costco: Yes, Manuka honey is sold at Costco, both in physical warehouses and online.

• Online vs. In-Store Grades: Higher UMF/MGO-rated Manuka is often an online-exclusive item at Costco, while lower-grade options may be found in-store.

• Key Brands: Reputable brands like Comvita and Manuka Health are frequently offered at Costco.

• Authenticity and Certification: Look for the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) or MGO rating on labels to verify the honey's potency and New Zealand origin.

• Pricing Strategy: High-grade Manuka can be expensive, but Costco offers competitive prices and occasional member-only sales.

Sourcing Manuka Honey at Costco: A Detailed Look

Manuka honey, a monofloral honey from New Zealand, stands out from other honeys due to its unique compound profile, particularly the high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO). This compound is primarily responsible for its potent non-peroxide antibacterial activity. Because of its scarcity and unique properties, Manuka honey commands a higher price point than conventional honey, making Costco's value-driven model an attractive option for many consumers. However, successfully purchasing Manuka at Costco requires knowing where to look, what brands to trust, and how to interpret the quality ratings.

Availability: Shopping Online vs. In-Warehouse

Costco's Manuka honey selection differs depending on whether you are shopping online or at a physical warehouse location. This distinction is crucial for getting the right product for your needs.

• Online Exclusives: The Costco website typically features higher-grade Manuka honey from reputable brands like Comvita and Manuka Health. These are often sold in smaller, higher-potency jars, reflecting their premium quality and targeted uses. Online shopping provides a broader range of options for those seeking potent, therapeutic-grade Manuka. For example, specific UMF 18+ or UMF 20+ varieties are frequently found in the online marketplace.

• In-Warehouse Selection: In-store inventory is usually more limited. Shoppers have reported finding cheaper, lower-grade Manuka honey, such as UMF 10+, in physical stores. This is suitable for general dietary wellness and daily use rather than specialized applications. The in-store stock can also fluctuate with seasonal sales or special promotions, so relying solely on the warehouse for a specific grade of Manuka can be unreliable.

Understanding Manuka Honey Ratings: UMF and MGO

To select a quality product, it is essential to understand the different grading systems used for Manuka honey. Costco's offerings prominently feature these metrics.

• UMF (Unique Manuka Factor): The UMF trademark, backed by the UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) in New Zealand, is one of the most reliable indicators of authenticity and quality. A certified UMF product is independently tested to guarantee it contains the three key signature compounds: Leptosperin, DHA, and MGO. The UMF number reflects the potency, with a higher number indicating greater antibacterial activity.

• MGO (Methylglyoxal): The MGO rating measures the concentration of the active compound, methylglyoxal, in the honey. It is often displayed alongside the UMF rating, providing a clearer picture of the honey's strength. For instance, a UMF 20+ product corresponds to a high MGO rating, such as 850+.

When buying Manuka honey from Costco, or anywhere else, a UMF certification ensures you are getting a genuine product that meets stringent standards. The absence of a UMF or MGO rating suggests a lower-potency, or potentially fake, Manuka honey.

Comparing Manuka Honey at Costco

To help you decide, here is a comparison of typical Manuka honey products you might find at Costco, based on past and current offerings. Always check the latest availability and ratings before purchasing.

Feature	Manuka Health UMF 20+	Comvita UMF 18+	Comvita UMF 10+ (In-Store)
Rating System	UMF 20+, MGO 850+	UMF 18+, MGO 696+	UMF 10+, MGO 263+
Availability	Online Only	Online Only	Often In-Warehouse
Size	8.8 oz jar	17.6 oz jar	17.6 oz jar
Potency Level	Very High	High	Medium
Best for	Therapeutic/Targeted Use	Higher Wellness Needs	Everyday Use/General Health
Traceability	Protected and Traceable	Sustainably Sourced	Certified & Traceable

Tips for incorporating Manuka Honey into Your Nutrition Diet

Beyond therapeutic uses, Manuka honey can be a delicious and beneficial addition to your daily diet. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate it:

• In Your Tea: Add a teaspoon to warm tea, but avoid boiling water, which can degrade the beneficial enzymes.
• Over Oatmeal or Cereal: Drizzle over breakfast for a natural, antibacterial sweetener.
• In Smoothies: Blend a spoonful into your morning smoothie for an immunity boost.
• Taken by the Spoonful: Many users simply take a spoonful of high-grade Manuka honey directly, especially during allergy season or at the first sign of a sore throat.
• As a Topping: Use it as a topping for yogurt, fruit, or toast.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you ask, does Costco sell Manuka honey? the answer is a definitive yes, offering a reliable source for this premium product. For a dedicated nutrition diet, Costco provides excellent value, especially with online exclusives and occasional in-store deals on high-rated varieties like Manuka Health and Comvita. However, careful shopping is required to distinguish between different grades (UMF/MGO) and to ensure authenticity, with higher-potency Manuka typically found online and standard wellness grades available in warehouses. By understanding the ratings and shopping strategies, you can confidently purchase authentic Manuka honey at Costco and integrate its benefits into your healthy lifestyle.

One authoritative outbound link: How to Select Manuka Honey and What It's Used For (Healthline)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brands of Manuka honey does Costco typically carry?

Costco regularly stocks well-known brands such as Comvita and Manuka Health. Availability of specific brands and grades can change over time, so it is best to check the online store and local warehouse for current offerings.

Is the Manuka honey from Costco authentic?

Yes, the Manuka honey sold by Costco is authentic, especially the products from reputable brands like Comvita and Manuka Health that carry the UMF certification. This ensures independent testing for purity and potency.

What is the difference between Manuka honey at a Costco warehouse versus online?

The primary difference lies in the grade and potency. Higher-grade Manuka honey (e.g., UMF 20+) is typically found on Costco's website, whereas lower-grade options (e.g., UMF 10+) are more commonly stocked in physical warehouses.

How do I choose the right Manuka honey for my dietary needs?

For general daily wellness and a balanced nutrition diet, a lower-grade Manuka (UMF 5-10) is often sufficient. If you are seeking targeted therapeutic benefits, a higher UMF/MGO rating (15+) may be more appropriate.

Is the Kirkland Signature brand of honey Manuka honey?

No, Kirkland Signature honey is typically a raw organic honey sourced from Brazil or other regions and should not be confused with Manuka honey, which is specifically from New Zealand.

Can I get a refund on Manuka honey purchased from Costco if I am not satisfied?

Yes, Costco's return policy generally applies to all products, including Manuka honey. If you are not completely satisfied with a Kirkland Signature product, your money will be refunded. For other brands, the standard return policy applies.

How can I verify the UMF license of a Manuka honey brand sold at Costco?

Genuine UMF Manuka honey will have the UMF trademark and a license number on the label. You can cross-reference this information with the official UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) website to verify its authenticity.