#GetSticky Brunch with Comvita Manuka Honey at Tibits
I have been fascinated all things honey and beekeeping and am always trying to learn more. Manuka Honey is one of those things which I know in passing to have some powerful healing properties, but I have never understood the biology or science behind that. At a recent brunch hosted by Comvita, we got to learn more about Manuka Honey and how to identify the real thing and tasted some delicious recipes, like the Berry Smoothie and the Manuka Honey and peanut butter mousse in chocolate cups.
At a recent brunch hosted by Comvita, we got to learn more about Manuka Honey and how to identify the real thing and tasted some delicious recipes, like the Berry Smoothie and the Manuka Honey and peanut butter mousse in chocolate cups.
Identifying Real Manuka Honey
Manuka is different from normal honey as it is supposed to have many healing properties not found in other honeys.
Comvita has over 40 years experience in sourcing health products that prevent illness and promote health. Their UMF Manuka Honey range is all traceable to the source. They work closely with their beekeepers to ensure they get the best quality. All the beekeepers know and work to Comvita’s quality system. They have thousands of hives which follow the blooming season of the Manuka plant. Over the 2-6 weeks that these plants flower, the hives are placed where the plants flower.
As the flowering season of this plant varies from North to South Island, the hives are moved as the plants flower. As the flowering season is very short, this limits the production of this honey, hence the scarcity and the higher price.
Comvita’s honey come in 5 strengths, +5, +10, +15, +18 and +20 which are the measure of strength in the honey. The UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) grading system appraised natural markers found in Manuka honey and is compliant with recent guidelines from the New Zealand government. A UMF grade is given is the honey contains Manuka and DHA (dihydroxyacetone), Leptosperin and methylglyoxal. The UMF rating tests the antibacterial performance of a honey and compares it to phenol, so a UMF rating of 20+ is equivalent in strength to a 20% solution of phenol. Any rating above 10 is considered highly active and is sometimes called Active Manuka Honey.
Manuka honey is great for digestive issues, indigestions and can help soothe sore throats and fight infection. The highly Active Manuka honey is used in some hospitals for treating resistant bugs like MRSA.

Manuka Honey and wild flower muesli
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds and raising
- Comvita Manuka Honey UMF 5+
For the topping
- 2 tbsp of edible lavender buds or other edible flowers
- 2 fresh figs
- Natural yoghurt
- sliced almonds
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 160°C. Spread out the nuts and rolled oats on a baking tray and toast for 10-15 minutes, or until they are crunchy.
- Add pumpkin seeds, honey and raisins, mix on tray and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Ensure ingredients are combined well before pouring into serving bowl.
- Top up with your favourite ingredients like edible flowers, figs, natural yoghurt and almonds.
Notes


Healthy Vegetarian Brunch at Tibits
Tibits is an award winning Swiss import that has made an impact in this quite neglected niche in London’s food offerings, decent Vegetarian fare. Nestled in Heddon Street just off Regent Street, it is a great location for a stop off for lunch or a pre theatre meal in the West End.
It is a buffet style restaurant where you pay by the weight of your dish. The main restaurant is dominated by their “boat” on which all the dishes are served. There is a variety of starters, salads, cold mains, hot mains and puddings. Some of the dishes are vegan and this is clearly marked. There is so much choice that even a carnivore will be sated.
There are European dishes like the salads, soups and vegetarian shepherds pie and Asian dishes like vegetable curries and fried rice. All the food is freshly prepared and the buffet is refreshed frequently. It’s a great concept and as you can eat as much as you like and your portion size is not dictated by the standard size dish that the restaurant offers. If you are on any sort of restricted diet, this is a great place for eating out.

Tibits
12-14 Heddon Street
London W1B 4DA
020 7758 4110
Comvita make a range of other health supplements and skin care using Manuka Honey and other healthy ingredients like Olive Leaf Extract. All these products are available from leading health food shops and from Comvita online shop.
EatCookExplore was a guest of Comvita and Tibits