For the first time in three years, hello to the Jarrah bloom!

As spring turns to early summer in Western Australia, our Manuka season naturally draws to a close. Manuka trees flower in a relatively short, intense burst - usually peaking through late winter into early spring - and once those blooms fade, the nectar flow tapers off quickly. Bees are extremely efficient foragers, so when the Manuka blossoms drop and nectar availability drops with them, the hives instinctively know the season is “done.” This isn’t a sign of poor conditions; it’s simply a reflection of mother nature at work. It’s now time for the beekeepers to shift the bees to somewhere new and somewhere abundant.

Hello Jarrah!

This is where the next chapter begins. As Manuka slows, the Jarrah forests of WA begin to wake up. Jarrah only flowers every two to three years - sometimes longer  - but when the season hits, it’s extraordinary. December and January are typically when the buds begin to open and release a fresh, rich nectar flow. 

Relocating hives is a carefully planned operation. Our head of beekeeping moves the hives at night, when all foragers have returned home and the colony is calm. Each hive is then secured, loaded onto trucks, and gently transported to new apiary sites deep within our pristine Jarrah forests. 

The specific locations are chosen well in advance to ensure strong flowering prospects, water access and minimal human disturbance. Once the hives are placed into the forests, the bees will spend a few days orienting themselves and familiarising themselves with their new landscape, before the foraging begins in earnest.

By mid-summer, the bees will be settled into their Jarrah groove. The forest floor hums, the tall canopies start dripping with nectar and the bees get to work collecting one of WA’s rarest and highest-activity honey varietals - see more about the range here. 

This seasonal shift - from Manuka to Jarrah - is essential not only for honey production but for the wellbeing of the bees themselves. Following the bloom cycles ensures they always have a rich, natural food source and allows us to harvest honey that is sustainably produced, true to place and in step with the rhythms of Western Australian country.

For those of you wanting to learn a little more about the honey itself - see below.

What’s the actual difference between Manuka and Jarrah?

Manuka and Jarrah are two of WA’s superstar bioactive honeys but they’re powerful in different ways - and the science behind their ratings explains why they each shine in their own lane.

Manuka - Measured by MGO

Manuka honey is graded by its MGO (methylglyoxal) level - the compound responsible for Manuka’s strong antimicrobial properties.

• MGO forms inside the honey as DHA (found naturally in the Manuka flower nectar) converts during the honey’s maturation.
  
  

• A higher MGO rating means stronger antibacterial activity.
  
  

• MGO is stable, meaning it stays potent even after it passes through the stomach, which is why Manuka is often used for gut health, immunity, skin healing and wound care.

Jarrah - Measured by TA

Jarrah honey doesn’t rely on MGO. Instead, its potency is measured by TA (Total Activity) - a broader, more holistic rating.

• TA measures both peroxide activity and non-peroxide activity, giving a full picture of the honey’s overall antimicrobial strength.
  
  

• Jarrah often tests exceptionally high in TA due to its unique natural composition and WA’s pristine flowering cycles.
  
  

• High-TA Jarrah is known for slow energy release, low GI, and strong antibacterial properties - making it popular for fitness, everyday wellness and natural sweetening.

Flavour, texture & experience

• Manuka - thicker, creamier, medicinal in taste, strong and earthy.
• Jarrah - darker, smoother, caramel-like, naturally low GI and easier for daily eating.