A customer recently asked us about Jarrah honey. We like hearing which honeys people are curious about, and when someone suggests one, Jeff and I enjoy looking into where it comes from, what makes it different, and whether it would be a good addition to Bee-Licious Honey.
That question led us to Western Australia and a honey made from the nectar of the Jarrah tree. As we looked into its origin, laboratory testing, and the research on its natural antibacterial activity, we decided to bring Koora Jarrah TA35+ into our range of specialty honeys.
If you have been hearing about Jarrah honey and wondering what makes it special, here is a closer look.
Jarrah honey at a glance
- Origin: Southwestern Western Australia.
- Floral source: The Jarrah tree, Eucalyptus marginata.
- Flavor: Caramel-like notes with a smooth, velvety texture.
- Activity rating: Koora Jarrah is independently tested and labeled TA35+.
- Ingredients: 100% raw Western Australian honey.
- Jar size: 250 g (8.8 oz), approximately 35 teaspoons.
What is Jarrah honey?
Jarrah honey is a monofloral honey made by bees gathering nectar primarily from the Jarrah tree, Eucalyptus marginata, native to southwestern Western Australia. Like our Oregon Meadowfoam or Tasmanian Leatherwood, its name connects the honey to the flowers the bees visit.
Jarrah is a eucalyptus tree, and its nectar produces a honey with a smooth, velvety texture and caramel-like notes. Those flavors are naturally part of the honey. Koora’s ingredient label lists just one ingredient: 100% raw Western Australian honey.
Why is Jarrah honey getting attention?
Much of the conversation around Jarrah centers on its antibacterial activity. People familiar with Manuka are discovering another honey with measurable activity and a different floral origin.
Researchers have studied Western Australian Jarrah honey for its antibacterial properties and its naturally occurring antioxidant compounds. That combination of a distinctive forest source, published research, and independent testing is what drew us to take a closer look.
There is also the flavor. Koora describes its Jarrah as having rich, caramel-like sweetness without a harsh, bitter finish. For a honey you plan to take by the spoonful, taste matters too.
What does TA35+ mean?
TA stands for Total Activity, a laboratory measure of a honey’s antibacterial activity.
To measure Total Activity, a laboratory tests how effectively the honey prevents bacteria from growing. The result is compared with known strengths of an antibacterial substance called phenol, which provides a standard measuring scale. This gives the honey its TA rating.
Koora Jarrah carries a TA35+ rating, and Koora states that each batch is independently tested to confirm that its activity exceeds the level stated on the label.
That is useful information when choosing a specialty honey. Along with knowing where it comes from and what is in the jar, you have a tested characteristic to help you understand the product.
The natural activity behind Jarrah honey
One of the cool things about honey is that its activity comes from several characteristics working together.
Its concentrated sugars and acidity make it difficult for many bacteria to grow in the honey. Jarrah honey also has peroxide-based activity. Under suitable conditions, the enzyme glucose oxidase helps generate small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, contributing to its antibacterial properties.
A 2019 laboratory study published in Scientific Reports examined Jarrah and Marri honeys alongside Manuka and multifloral honeys. The researchers investigated antibacterial activity and effects on bacterial biofilms, the communities bacteria form on surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide made a substantial contribution to the activity of the Western Australian samples.
This research helps explain why Jarrah is attracting interest among people looking beyond familiar honey varieties.
Jarrah honey and antioxidants
Jarrah honey naturally contains phenolic compounds, plant-associated substances that contribute to its antioxidant activity.
A 2023 study published in Antioxidants examined these compounds in several Western Australian honeys, including Jarrah. The Jarrah samples showed antioxidant activity in laboratory testing.
For us, this is part of what makes exploring specialty honeys so rewarding. Different nectar sources give us differences in flavor, composition, and measurable activity.
How does Jarrah compare with Manuka?
Jarrah and Manuka both appeal to people interested in tested, bioactive honeys, but they come from different plants and are commonly labeled using different measurements.
Jarrah comes from Eucalyptus marginata in Western Australia and is often graded by Total Activity. New Zealand Manuka comes from Leptospermum scoparium and is commonly labeled with an MGO rating, measuring methylglyoxal concentration.
For Koora Jarrah, TA35+ is the rating to focus on. It describes the honey’s tested antibacterial activity. Understanding that rating lets you appreciate Jarrah for its own characteristics.
A teaspoon of Jarrah honey
We suggest starting with a teaspoon straight from the jar as a simple daily routine. Take a moment to notice its smooth texture and caramel-like flavor.
Our Koora Jarrah TA35+ comes in a 250 g (8.8 oz) jar. At approximately 7 g per teaspoon, that is around 35 teaspoons, or about five weeks at one teaspoon a day.
Keep the jar closed in a cool, dark place, following the label’s storage instructions. Honey is not suitable for children under 12 months.
Koora Jarrah honey at Bee-Licious
We now carry Koora Jarrah Honey TA35+ online and at our Honey House. It joins our selection of specialty honeys from Oregon and around the world, each with its own origin and story.
If a customer’s question has you curious too, we invite you to take a closer look at this Western Australian honey.
Shop Koora Jarrah Honey TA35+ – 250 g
You can also explore our Australia & New Zealand honey collection.
