Mānuka honey wasn't part of Rafael's life growing up.

He came from Belgium to New Zealand through Marcel's, his family's pancake business, surrounded by food meant to be shared.

At first, Mānuka sounded like hype to him.

Then he came across it in dry-eye care products, used against inflammation. Not glamorous, but real.

Then winter arrived: a spoonful before a run, after fencing, before yoga or after pilates.

That small ritual turned into Hummbee.