Macadamia Nuts

Also known asMacadamia · Queensland Nut · Macadamia integrifolia · 夏威夷果

Name: Macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla) — the round, creamy, cream-coloured nut of an Australian rainforest tree, with the hardest shell of any commonly eaten nut. It is sometimes called the Queensland nut.

Description

The macadamia is native to the subtropical rainforests of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, where Aboriginal peoples ate the nuts for thousands of years. It was named in the 1850s by the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller after his friend, the Scottish-Australian chemist John Macadam. Commercial production grew mainly in Hawaii from the 1920s, and Australia, South Africa, Kenya and Hawaii are now leading producers.

The nuts need a powerful nutcracker to open, and are sold shelled, roasted or in chocolate and baked goods. They have a rich, buttery, slightly sweet flavour and are among the most expensive nuts.

Main nutrition value

Macadamias are the highest in fat of the common nuts, mostly healthy monounsaturated fat, and are lower in protein and carbohydrate, with some manganese, thiamin and magnesium.

How best to be consumed

Macadamias are very rich, so a few go a long way.

1. Eat a small handful, unsalted, as a treat.
2. Chop into cookies, cakes, white-chocolate baking and ice cream.
3. Add to salads, stir-fries and fish crusts.
4. Blend into butter or creamy sauces.
5. Store in a cool place or the fridge, since the high oil content can go rancid.

Overconsumption could cause…

Macadamias are healthy but very energy-dense.

1. Weight gain from eating large handfuls, since nuts are very energy-dense. Macadamias are the most calorie-dense of the common nuts.
2. Tree nut allergy, which can be severe, so anyone allergic to nuts must avoid them and check labels for cross-contact.
3. Added sugar and salt in coated or flavoured macadamias.
4. Toxicity to dogs, so keep them away from pets.

GroupsTree NutsHigh fibreLow sodiumRich in selenium

Made intoMacadamia Butter

Related foodsWalnutsPine NutsPecansBrazil NutsHazelnutsAlmonds

Wikipedia — Macadamia, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadamia