Manuka honey is made when worker bees collect nectar from the flowers of the Manuka tree and bring it back to the hive, where much of it  becomes stored as winter honey. Perhaps due to the bees’ instinct, they continuously gather nectar until it is full, never satisfied with what they  have. This behavior is likely driven by their survival instinct. In Japan, it is commonly stated online that “Manuka flowers bloom from spring to summer.” However, this is not consistent, as it varies greatly  depending on the natural environment, the type of Manuka tree, and its age. While spring is typically the main blooming period, some trees bloom  before spring even begins, making it quite unpredictable. Forecasting the bloom period is always challenging, and this makes planning difficult for beekeepers.

There is a tree called “Kanuka” that closely resembles the Manuka tree (the photo shows a Kanuka tree in my woodland). Both Manuka and  Kanuka are terms from the Māori language, but they can be distinguished by a few characteristics. Kanuka tends to grow taller,  and its leaves are not as stiff as those of Manuka. The flowering period of Kanuka is slightly later than that of Manuka. Unlike Manuka,  Kanuka doesn’t have any distinct medicinal properties. The Māori people have historically utilized various parts of the Manuka tree, such as its seeds, bark, roots, and leaf stems, benefiting from its  medicinal properties. However, Kanuka has not been noted for such uses. There were reports in the past suggesting that Kanuka honey might  have some level of activity, but this is not certain.