Arataki Honey – Since 1944
There is no denying the heritage that this humble honey producing company from Hawkes Bay (on the East Coast of the North Island in New Zealand) has. The small beginnings started when Percy Berry purchased nine acres of land down Arataki Road in 1944 which over the years would become their central hub of pioneering manuka honey production.
A consistent performer
The years of experience in producing a variety of honey ensures this particular UMF 10+, 250g jar of manuka honey is a consistent performer. It has not lost Arataki’s distinctive creamy appearance so often found in their other products (and something I had personally become very accustomed to having grown up in Hawkes Bay and had their honey as a regular spread for our mornings toast). It also stacks up exceedingly well when you compare it to competing brands like Comvita or API Health but again does not loose that characteristic flavour and texture which it has become famous for.
The taste
The taste of this honey is full of flavour but has a great balance which can often be lost in some brands who tend to have a slightly more pungent caramel taste. This is potentially more personal preference but a good honey should not be overtly caramel in taste and deliver it’s on blend of smooth, rich flavours without going overboard. This Arataki manuka honey UMF 10+ achieves that effortlessly.
Texture of the manuka honey
This is where the honey has differed for us slightly with regards to texture. It has your typical smooth elements but also a bit more texture to it’s overall feel in the mouth when compared to similar products but quickly disperses. This is not a bad thing in any way shape or form, it is merely a characteristic of the honey which is something to note for personal preferences and is also good indication of it’s natural origins.
Price
This particular honey product is actually one of the most reasonably priced, yet high quality manuka honey’s produced in New Zealand. It’s obviously more expensive than your average table honey but it’s still within range to become a regular part of your diet to not only improve the taste of certain foods but to also enhance your health.
Favourite recipe
You cannot get more New Zealand than manuka honey. So what better way to celebrate a product like this from the land, by combining it with one of New Zealand’s iconic fish from the sea – Hapuka. This honey macadamia nut-crusted hapuka fillet recipe has been put together by the team at Arataki honey in conjunction with one of Hawkes Bay tops chefs, Paolo Pancotti.
If you really want to make this dish special then you could also wash it down with one of New Zealand’s top sauvignon blanc’s – Cloudy Bay.
Visitor Centre
If you are ever in the Hawkes bay region and want to learn even more about the history of Arataki Honey and even sample some of their products then head along to their visitor centre which can be seen in the below video:
