Steens Mānuka Honey UMF 15+ Review

Steens Honey is a New Zealand producer headquartered in Havelock North. Its UMF 15+ Mānuka honey sits in the mid-to-high tier with a 340 g jar size that is meaningfully larger than the 250 g standard, which brings the cost-per-gram down even at a higher per-jar price.

What this jar delivers

UMF 15+ corresponds to MGO 514+, the high tier of the standard UMF scale. Steens sources from remote New Zealand apiaries, runs a raw-and-unpasteurised processing line (no heating above 35 °C, no fine filtration), and is UMFHA-certified with a per-batch licence number on each jar.

The 340 g jar size is the differentiator. Most Mānuka brands in the US ship 250 g jars; the larger Steens jar provides 36% more honey at a price that is competitive on a per-gram basis. For daily wellness users who go through Mānuka regularly, this is structurally a better value than the smaller jars at the same UMF tier.

How does Steens compare to Manuka Health at the same tier?

Steens UMF 15+ and Manuka Health UMF 16+ are the closest direct comparisons at this tier. Both are UMFHA-licensed, both source from New Zealand, both target the same daily-wellness use case. Differences:

• Jar size: Steens 340 g vs Manuka Health 250 g.
• UMF tier: Steens 15+ vs Manuka Health 16+ (functionally identical for most uses).
• Processing: Steens emphasizes raw and unpasteurised; Manuka Health does not specifically lead with the raw label.
• Distribution: Both have broad US availability via Amazon and Whole Foods.

For the full comparison framework across all 10 brands we cover, see our tested-and-ranked roundup.

Taste and texture

Steens UMF 15+ is medium amber with a moderate Mānuka back-note. It is sweeter than premium-tier Mānuka (UMF 20+ and above) and more accessible to first-time Mānuka buyers. The raw processing means some natural variation between batches in colour and viscosity, which is normal and not a quality issue.

Authenticity and certification

Steens carries UMFHA certification, MPI Mānuka Honey Definition compliance, and Non-GMO Project verification. Per-batch UMF certificates are available on request. The brand has been operating since 1979, which is among the longest production records in the Mānuka category. See our authenticity verification guide for the full background.

Who is this jar for?

Steens UMF 15+ is the right jar for buyers who want a high-tier Mānuka for regular daily use and value the larger jar size. For occasional or first-time buyers, a UMF 10+ jar at lower cost is more than adequate. For specific antibacterial use cases studied in research, UMF 20+ is the more research-aligned tier.

Common questions

Is the 340 g jar a real value or just a marketing trick?

It is a real value. Per-gram cost on the Steens 340 g jar is meaningfully lower than the 250 g standard at the same UMF tier when both brands' actual retail prices are compared.

Does the raw label change the antibacterial activity?

Not significantly. UMFHA certification tests for MGO content directly, regardless of processing. The raw label primarily affects the broader nutritional profile (preserves trace enzymes and pollen content) and the texture.

Is Steens UMF 15+ enough for therapeutic use?

UMF 15+ provides verified antibacterial activity. For specific therapeutic applications studied in clinical literature (wound care, burn management), UMF 16+ to 20+ is the more research-aligned tier. See our wound-care research review.