In 1974, surfer Alan Bougen met beekeeper Claude Stratford, who taught him the craft of beekeeping and the power of manuka honey—a monofloral honey native to and found only in New Zealand. Bougen and Stratford believed that sharing manuka honey could make a positive impact on people around the world. They founded Comvita to fulfill that purpose. Comvita’s manuka honey is independently certified by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association to ensure specific quality standards, including the presence of key compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO). Today, Comvita is one of the world’s leading manuka honey brands and is sold worldwide.