About Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts come from the fruit of a large evergreen tree native to eastern Australia. Thousands of years before European settlement, the aborigines of Australia gathered the native nuts from rainforest floors and consumed them as snacks. It wasn’t until the early 1880s that the macadamia nut was first introduced to Hawaii, which today is one of the world’s leading producers of macadamia nuts. The nuts are commonly drenched in chocolate and sold as confectionary items or used in baked goods, like white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Their pleasant, mellow flavor also works well in savory dishes. Macadamia nuts are beloved for their delicious buttery taste and immense health benefits.
Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts
1) Increase Metabolism: Macadamia nuts are one of few food sources that contain palmitoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can improve fat metabolism. A 2011 study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease examined the effects of palmitoleic acid supplementation in diabetic mice. The researchers found that palmitoleic acid was beneficial for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing body weight increase.
2) Heart-Healthy Nut: Nearly eighty percent of the fat in macadamia nuts is monounsaturated, which has been associated with reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. A 2008 study published in The Journal of Nutrition studied the effect of a macadamia-rich diet on individuals with high cholesterol levels. As part of a heart-healthy diet, macadamia nut consumption helped reduce total and LDL “bad” cholesterol levels in the patients studied.
3) The Perfect Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio: Compared to other nuts, macadamia nuts contain the lowest omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (1:1) which is important because many Western diets are at risk of getting too much Omega-6 and too little Omega-3. Consuming foods with a healthy proportion of both essential fatty acids is important for reducing inflammation in our bodies.
4) Powerful Antioxidants: Macadamia nuts are rich in potent antioxidants like phytochemicals and vitamin E. These antioxidants prevent cell damage and oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which are associated with chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
5) All-Around Health Nut: Macadamia nuts are a good source of protein, dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and potassium. They are also an excellent source of thiamine and manganese. Thiamine plays an important role in supporting the nervous system, maintaining good ocular health, and aiding cerebral function. Manganese is required for calcium absorption, bone development, and blood sugar regulation.
Macadamia Nut Storage
Macadamia nuts can be stored in a cool, dry place such as a pantry for up to four weeks. To extend the shelf life of your macadamia nuts, transfer them to the fridge or freezer. Due to their high oil content, if the nuts are kept for longer than one month, they should be stored in the fridge to preserve freshness and prevent rancidity. They can be stored in the fridge for up to six months or transferred to an airtight container or heavy duty freezer bag and stored in the freezer for up to one year.
How are macadamia nuts harvested?
Macadamia nuts are ready for harvest when the fruits of the macadamia tree begin to fall to the ground. Large-scale commercial facilities will use mechanical sweepers to collect the nuts from the orchard floor. At this point, the fruits are sent to processing facilities where they are dried and de-husked within 24 hours of the harvest to reveal the smooth, hard-shelled macadamia nuts. The nuts are then cleaned and passed through a quality control inspection where they are sorted according to size and color. For shelling purposes, the nuts are sent through steel rollers which exert enough pressure to crack the shells without damaging the nut kernel inside.
We also offer wholesale macadamia nuts.