Our flagship product, “Strong Manuka Honey,” is a fully matured raw honey (*1) that bees have naturally concentrated within the hive. TCN’s
Strong Manuka Honey is a 100% natural, fully matured raw honey, harvested directly from beehives as close to the production site as possible and
packed straight into pots. It embodies the essence of New Zealand’s pristine wilderness.
For over 25 years, I have been engaged in beekeeping here in New Zealand, even before the name “Manuka Honey” was known in Japan. From
the valuable feedback of our customers and my experiences as a beekeeper, I am convinced that offering products with minimal human
intervention is the most natural approach and holds the greatest promise for promoting health.

Reference: Customer Feedback

(*1) What is fully matured raw honey?

Fully matured raw honey is the result of a natural process that occurs within the beehive. Nectar collected from Manuka flowers is placed in the hive,
where worker bees (those that work inside the hive) remove the moisture using their body heat and the wind generated by their wings.
This airflow, combined with their body heat, raises the sugar concentration to over 80%. Then, enzymes present in the saliva of honeybees are added,
breaking down disaccharides (sucrose = sugar) into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose, resulting in fully matured honey.
To obtain high-quality honey, this time-consuming production method that relies entirely on the bees is the most important.
The warm air generated by the bees’ body heat is powered entirely by the high-energy glucose derived from the nectar.

Bees increase the sugar concentration in honey to suppress the activity of microorganisms such as yeast, prevent fermentation and the conversion
of sugars into alcohol, and ensure it can serve as a long-term food source for winter survival.
Fully matured honey has the characteristic of not undergoing any quality changes permanently, as evidenced by honey found in ancient gyptian
tombs that showed no signs of deterioration even after thousands of years.
Unlike many mass-produced Manuka honey products that undergo heat processing, our 100% natural, fully matured raw honey—
Strong Manuka Honey—does not have an expiration date. However, due to consumer agency regulations that require expiration dates on all
honey products, we have included this information on our new labels. We kindly ask for your understanding regarding this matter.

The analysis results included with this product, focusing on the unique substance methylglyoxal (MGO), have been reliably measured by a testing
institution designated by the New Zealand government.
To ensure high accuracy in analysis, each production batch is sent to one of New Zealand’s most trusted testing laboratories, accredited by
the Ministry for Primary Industries (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), for inspection.
At this facility, tests are conducted to measure the MGO content, which determines the honey’s potency, as well as various other component
analyses. Only the products that meet our specific standards are exported to Japan in their raw form.

Additionally, during transportation through high-temperature regions near the equator, specialized sterilized food containers with temperature
control are used to ensure safe transit while maintaining a constant internal temperature. Upon arrival in Japan, the product must also pass
food import inspections.
The imported raw materials are then processed and packed at a JAS-certified organic facility in Japan. Even after packaging (*2), random
samples are extracted from the finished products and sent back to a New Zealand government-designated testing institution for further analysis.
Only after these confirmation tests are completed is the product released for sale.

(*2) The containers are not the conventional plastic ones but rather UV-blocking, light-shielding glass jars. These jars eliminate the risk
of degradation from ultraviolet rays and contamination from harmful chemicals often associated with plastic containers. We are the first company that
adopt light-shielding glass jars for Manuka honey packaging.
Even after the product is finished, additional quality confirmation tests are conducted. The analysis report included with the product serves
as a direct guarantee of its quality. This level of assurance is not available with any other commercial products on the market. Products that do not
meet our standards are distributed within New Zealand, but the items delivered to you are accompanied by an analysis report as proof of their quality.
Our honey is exceptionally flavorful, so please enjoy its exquisite taste.

The antimicrobial and antiviral active compounds derived from the Manuka tree have long been recognized by the indigenous Maori people, who
have passed down knowledge of its medicinal properties for generations. In recent years, academic research has advanced, and numerous
findings have been reported. However, many aspects of the mechanisms behind the antibacterial, bacteriostatic, and antiviral activities of
Manuka-derived substances remain unclear.
While Manuka honey have been used as traditional remedies passed from parent to child, until their mechanisms of action are fully
understood, any processing based on superficial knowledge is not only meaningless but in some cases, potentially
transform the substance into harmful compounds.

Mass-produced products are often made by blending multiple types of honey, and I am concerned that blending with other kinds of honey might
weaken the unique characteristics of Manuka honey.
Nowadays, buyers from emerging countries are willing to pay for any product labeled as “Manuka honey.” As a result, the
volume of distribution has far exceeded the actual production volume. This situation makes me feel uneasy, as the product seems to be facing a crisis.

By the way, obtaining pure and highly activating Manuka honey requires delicate pre-research including bee-keeping and Manuka flower nectar,
and careful selection of hive placement. (It is highly unlikely that the same level of high-activity honey can be harvested
from the same location just because it yielded good results the previous year.) As a dedicated beekeeper, I cannot imagine mixing the lower-grade honey
for the purpose of increasing volume, like mass-production manufacturers might do.
Through working in harmony with New Zealand’s pristine nature and dedicating time and care to beekeeping, our
products have been awarded the Grand Gold and Gold prizes consecutively at Monde Selection, known as the “Olympics of Food,” since 2019.
We sincerely hope you will use our internationally recognized products to support your health and well-being.

Here in New Zealand, the land area is equivalent to Japan without Hokkaido, and the total population is just 5 million—only slightly more than the
population of Yokohama City. While there are still vast native forests of Manuka trees and the climate is relatively stable, the quality of the honey
varies significantly due to annual weather conditions and the surrounding environment. Since it is a natural product, there are limits to what human effort can achieve.
Nevertheless, we, the producers, are committed to providing the highest-quality products possible, offering hope for supporting health and well-being.

In today’s society, stress is an inevitable part of life, no matter where you go. We sincerely hope that you can make good use of the natural  active substances brought to you by New Zealand’s pristine nature and incorporate them into your daily health routine.  We kindly ask for your continued guidance and support of our company in the future.