Macadamia – what kind of nut is it and why is it worth trying?

Macadamia nut, the benefits of which have long been studied by doctors and nutritionists, is considered the most expensive in the world. His homeland is Australia. Today, macadamia trees grow only in the tropics, where the thermometer never drops below +5°C. They are highly susceptible to pests and diseases and begin to bear fruit only in the 8th–10th year. However, in terms of taste, no other nut can compare with macadamia.

Appearance, taste and aroma of macadamia nut

Macadamia nuts are one of the most oily nuts in the world. It resembles white chocolate in color and tastes like hazelnuts with sweet vanilla notes.

The diameter of the nut is 1.5–3 cm. The shell is very hard. Therefore, sometimes a notch is made on it and a key is applied. The shell smells like cocoa.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of macadamia

Macadamia is the leader among nuts in terms of calories. 100 g contains up to 720 kcal.Of the nutrients, fats predominate, especially monounsaturated fats: palmitoleic and oleic acids. But the latter are considered beneficial for the body because they reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

The nut also contains omega-3 fatty acids. In 100 g – 23% of the daily value. Omega-3s benefit blood vessels, the brain, and reduce inflammation in the body.

Macadamia nuts contain few carbohydrates and proteins. But the nut is rich in soluble dietary fiber. Thanks to them, the product has a positive effect on the digestion process in the lower gastrointestinal tract, relieves constipation and provides a person with a long-lasting feeling of fullness.

Macadamia contains many vitamins, macro- and microelements. The main substances present in the composition are listed in the table.

Table 1. “Chemical composition of macadamia nuts”

TOP 5 useful properties

Macadamia is the leader among nuts not only in price, but also in its beneficial effects on the body. If you include such a product in your diet, you can prevent many chronic diseases and increase your life expectancy.

1. Preserves beauty and youth

Macadamia has great benefits for women. This miracle nut stimulates collagen synthesis, accelerates the renewal of epidermal cells, and improves blood microcirculation. As a result, the skin looks fresh and tightened, and the formation of new wrinkles slows down.

Monounsaturated fatty acids nourish hair follicles, making curls thicker, stronger and shinier. With regular consumption of this valuable nut, you can get rid of split ends.

Scientists have discovered many antioxidants (in particular, polyphenols) in macadamia kernels. These substances protect the body's cells from the negative effects of free radicals. Antioxidants slow down aging and prevent the development of malignant tumors.

2. Strengthens bones and teeth

Macadamia is a natural storehouse of macro and microelements that are involved in the construction of bone tissue: calcium, phosphorus, manganese, copper.From the point of view of preventing diseases of the musculoskeletal system (osteoporosis, osteochondrosis), the nut is not inferior even to dairy products.

Due to the high concentration of fatty acids, minerals from nut kernels are perfectly absorbed. They benefit the bones rather than being deposited in the kidneys as sand and stones.

3. Improves sexual function

In men, the nut increases blood circulation in the pelvic organs, has a positive effect on sperm viability, and increases physical endurance. Together, these properties can improve intimate life and reproductive function.

For women, the Australian nut will also be beneficial. The product contains fats that are involved in the production of a number of sex hormones. Therefore, when using the product, women feel better and libido increases.

4. Reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases

First of all, doctors recommend eating macadamia for people over 50 years of age to prevent atherosclerosis. The nut cleanses the walls of blood vessels from low-density lipoproteins. It is this class of fats that contributes to the deposition of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

Thanks to its high potassium content, macadamia nuts prevent blood pressure surges. And magnesium strengthens the muscles of the heart. Another beneficial property of the nut is that it thins the blood and thereby reduces the risk of blood clots.

5. Protects the nervous system

Macadamia nuts contain a lot of B vitamins, which means that the nut improves brain function and supports the stable functioning of the nervous system. It helps prevent depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and senile dementia. For some people, a handful of nuts even helps relieve headaches and migraines.

Potential harm to macadamia

Absolute contraindications to consuming macadamia are individual intolerance and allergies. Although adverse reactions occur extremely rarely. This is due to the fact that tropical nuts contain few proteins from the class of potential allergens.

Doctors advise limiting the consumption of nuts to people who suffer from gastritis and ulcers (in the acute stage), diseases of the pancreas and liver. The reason is that the body of such people does not digest foods rich in fat well.

In excess quantities, macadamia will harm your figure. After all, this nut is very high in calories.

The product is toxic to dogs and is therefore strictly contraindicated in their diet.

How many nuts can you eat a day?

Nutritionists advise eating no more than 20 g of macadamia per day. That's about 7 nuts. They contain 140 kcal, which is equivalent to a 100-gram piece of beef stew.

It is better to consume the product in the first half of the day so that the body has time to use up the energy received. It is not advisable to combine nuts with other fatty foods: hard cheese, milk, fried meat.

Where to buy nuts, how to select and store them?

You can't buy macadamia nuts in regular stores. You need to look for this valuable product in the following places:

• hypermarkets with a high price segment;
• nut and vegan boutiques;
• online health food stores.

Prices start from 130–140 rubles. for nuts in shell and 480–500 rubles. for cleaned kernels. Sometimes you can find cheaper options. But most likely it will be hazelnuts, not macadamia.

Nuts in the shell are considered the most useful. They have a uniform dark chocolate color without plaque, and smell a little like cocoa. When shaking, you can’t hear the cannonballs hitting the walls.Nuts are stored in shell in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.

High-quality peeled kernels have a light cream color and a strong nutty aroma. There are no cracks, dark spots or mold on them. It is advisable to store peeled nuts in vacuum packaging or a glass jar. The shelf life at room temperature will be 2-3 months, and in the refrigerator - up to six months.

Use of macadamia in cooking

The nut is eaten raw or roasted. Before use, it is recommended to soak it in water for 30–60 minutes. This simple procedure activates the beneficial substances present in the kernels.

Macadamia is added to elite varieties of chocolate, candies, cookies and cheesecakes. These nuts go very well with natural coffee and sherry fortified with wine.

At home, you can prepare a delicious fruit salad in 5 minutes. Prepare the following ingredients:

• macadamia nuts – 20 g;
• pears – 2 pcs.;
• banana – 1 pc.;
• fresh strawberries – 5–6 pcs.

Cut the bananas into small pieces and freeze. Then blend with the nuts in a blender to make a puree. Cut the pears and strawberries beautifully. Dress the fruit with banana nut sauce.

Benefits of macadamia oil

Fatty macadamia oil is often included in anti-aging cosmetics. But you can also buy it in its pure form. This natural remedy really works for the benefit of your beauty:

• eliminates irritation and peeling;
• protects the skin from the negative effects of UV radiation;
• helps fight freckles and age spots, brightens the complexion;
• prevents the destruction of cell membranes, slows down the formation of new wrinkles;
• nourishes and moisturizes the skin, gives it a fresh look and elasticity.

Cosmetologists recommend using macadamia oil diluted in a concentration of no higher than 10%. You can mix it with olive oil, add it to a neutral cream or homemade face mask.

5 interesting facts about macadamia

People in Russia and other CIS countries are still little familiar with macadamia due to the high cost of the product. You can raise your level of erudition by reading interesting facts about the Australian walnut:

• Production

Today, 60% of the world's macadamia production comes from Hawaii in the US, not Australia. In addition, the walnut tree grows in Brazil and South Africa.

• Price

Macadamias are not only difficult to grow, but also difficult to harvest. The height of the trees reaches 20 meters. One person can collect a maximum of 100 kg of nuts per day. This fact affects the price: on average, a kilogram of inshell nuts in the world costs $30.

• Medical use

Since ancient times, Australian Aborigines have given the nut to sick people to speed up recovery and to children with developmental delays. This practice continues to this day.

• Story

In the 19th century in Australia, people used macadamia as a second currency for payments.

• Compound

The media often likes to praise macadamia nuts for their high content of vitamin E. Although in fact, in terms of this indicator, the product is significantly inferior to other nuts (in particular, walnuts and hazelnuts).

Thus, macadamia is a nut that, in many respects, deserves the title “the very best.” It is incredibly tasty, aromatic, beneficial for health and beauty. This product definitely deserves a place in the diet. The expensive price is compensated by the fact that it is enough to eat a small handful of nuts a day. Therefore, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of eating macadamia.