by Taetske | 6:51 pm
(Last Updated On: February 21, 2024)

 

Have you ever eaten macadamia nuts?

 

They taste fantastic as they are crunchy and creamy at the same time. Before telling you why it is a good idea to eat a couple of these healthy nuts a day, let me tell you a little about the history of this nut.

 

Rain-Forest Queensland

Rain-Forest Queensland image Sandid

 

What is the origin of the Macadamia nut

This nut actually originates from Australia. It belongs to the plant family Proteaceae and grows in parts of New South Wales and central and southeastern Queensland.

There are 10 species, but 2 of them grow best as commercially productive plants. One is the macadamia integrifolia, which is the type that has smooth shells. Then there is also the macadamia tetraphylla, and that one has rough shelled nuts.

 

An Aboriginal delicacy

It seems the macadamia nut is ancient and is said to have originated 60.000 years ago in the rain forest of Australia. Whenever the Aboriginal people would come across this tree, they would harvest the nuts.

Macadamias were traded between the different tribes and used during inter-tribal “corroborees” as ceremonial gifts. These nuts had a high value and were considered a delicacy.

 

Macadamia harvest

Macadamia harvest image Joseph Hill

 

The discovery by European Botanists

Walter Hill, who was the director of the Botany Garden in Brisbane, found the nut. He opened it with the help of a vise and planted the seed. Normally these trees produce for some 70 years but this “first” tree is still growing and producing nuts. Then the German botanist Ferdinand von Meuller was also enchanted to discover this tree in the 1850s.

The 2 botanists had been together on a botanical expedition. They named this new discovery after scientist and politician Dr. John MacAdam, who promoted the cultivation of the species. Sadly he never tasted the nut as, while en route to New Zealand, he suffered a shipboard injury which caused his premature death.

The first plantation was established in the 1880s but only when grafting techniques and mechanical processing were introduced, did this special nut become a commercial production success. It is the only native Australian plant that has become world known and is traded internationally as a commercial food product.

 

Panorama of Hawaii

Panorama of Hawaii image Boguslaw Wasylyszyn

 

Coming to the big island of Hawaii

In 1882 William Herbert Purvis took the nut to Hawaii and planted them as seedlings in Kukuihaele. One of these trees is still growing and producing nuts. Nowadays the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation is the largest manufacturer in the world.

The first plantation was started in 1948, and the first commercial crop was harvested and processed in 1956. The biggest plantation is in South Africa and has 3.700 acres.

Worldwide the demand for this delicious and healthy nut has grown over the years. The macadamia tree is not a fast grower, and that is why it is now planted in many countries where the climate is favorable.

You can find macadamia plantations in Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, and Israel. They have started large orchards in Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, and Costa Rica. The United States can now boast of having this special crop, as California and Florida also have the right climate.

In 2015 the total global production was 160.000 tonnes. Every year there is more production, and in 2018, the global estimate was at 211.000 tonnes. South Africa had an estimated 54.000 tonnes therefor being the world’s leading producer.

 

Do you want to grow a macadamia tree?

In this guide you will find useful information. If you plan to have a full-scale plantation or just one tree in your backyard. Where to locate your tree, how to cultivate, plant and soil nutrition, and environmental factors. It is all in this book.

 

 

Health Benefits of the Macadamia nut

Each nut contains about 18 calories, so one should not stuff oneself. Every morning at breakfast time, I eat 3 nuts as part of my healthy diet. In general, nuts are good for all people, even babies.

During the day I will also eat almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and pistachio. Also, different seeds form part of my diet. A small handful of these health-giving nuts each day are considered being sufficiently beneficial. You should take care to not overdo it and try to stick to the natural variety. Salted or coated in chocolate should not be the norm.

 

Macadamia nuts coated in chocolate

Macadamia nuts coated in chocolate image sunny sun 0804

 

This nut is a powerhouse of good things

Over 75% of the fat in the macadamia nut is the monounsaturated fat, which has health benefits. The MUFAs, a specific monounsaturated fatty acid, is not easily found in other foods. It is low in sugar (only 1 gram of natural sugar), and it is a low glycemic index food.

In studies, it was shown that eating tree nuts can lower the risk of heart disease. They help lower the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raise the HDL, considered the good cholesterol. There should be a healthy balance between the 2 cholesterols. The modern diet which is full of unhealthy fats often lets the bad cholesterol be too predominant.

This nut is high in tocotrienol, which is a type of vitamin E, and research has suggested it has anticancer abilities. It also protects the brain. It seems to be good to eat this nut when setting up a healthy regime in the wish to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson disease.

It is important to protect the brain from oxidative stress, and it was shown in a study on rats that the macadamia nut can do this. Furthermore, this nut contains flavonoids which can fight free radicals in the system.

 

Macadamia nuts in the kitchen

There are many dishes where you can incorporate this nut. Have a look at the following YouTube video, it might give you some good ideas.

 

 

As an Afterthought

Macadamia nuts are a gift of nature. It contains many health benefits so instead of grabbing that candy bar loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats, eat some nuts instead.

I have made a special page for you. It holds a collection of things you might find interesting. Before you leave, pay a visit to Recommendations.

 

Source: Brigit Katz for the Smithsonian on June 4, 2019, Wikipedia
Photo Source: Pixabay

 

You might find it interesting to read the following post. The way how we eat affects the world.

Your Diet Has An Important Impact On The Planet

Comments

Justin

Wow, I had no idea that Macadamia nuts had such high-end health benefits.  I was a personal trainer and nutrition coach for 13+ years and still train clients regularly.  This was so interesting to me because of my history.  I just can’t believe I’ve never heard this information before.  Your article rocks.  Would Macadamia nuts be good for Keto?

Sep 18.2019 | 03:58 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Justin,

    Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulips widget.

    The macadamia nut is ideal for Keto as it has very high fat, good fat, content. Still, I would not overdo it and maximum eat 10 a day.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:17 am

Shelley

Excellent article you have up here and I must say that the health benefits of the macadamia nuts. This is really a great gift of nature just as you have called it here. I really love this post and I will definitely try to find and try out the macadamia nuts myself. To be honest, this is capable of replacing most of our junks. Bless you, for this and this also has a great history to it.

Sep 18.2019 | 03:59 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Shelley,

    The older I get the more I realize that nature holds all we need. The sad thing is that humans rely on their man-made foods and the result is more than visible. Most of the population is in bad shape and sick.

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulips widget.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:22 am

Henderson

Oh this is really good. It’s the first time I’m hearing abouth the macadamia nuts. Your video is also very well detailed and I know now what kinds of foods I can incorporate this nuts in. I’m happy to know that it’s a very good way for me to get positive calories in but I’ll make sure to not take so much of it. Thanks for an informative post

Sep 18.2019 | 04:02 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Henderson,

    Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.

    I am sure you will be surprised at the great taste of macadamia nuts. They can be added to a lot of recipes and if not you can just eat them like that as they are a great snack for in between

    Regards, Taetske.

     

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:26 am

Chloe

Thanks for sharing such an educational post. I haven’t heard of the macadamia nuts my whole life and this is my first time coming across it. So far, as I read through the history of this nut, it gives me so much believe of how important it is to the extent that it is used in the form of some kinda barter business. I’ll love to know more about its health benefits as well as I am currently on a vegan diet and I have more focus on eating nuts.

Sep 18.2019 | 04:05 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Chloe,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    On a vegan diet, nuts are ideal. Just add the macadamia nut to the other varieties of nuts and seeds and you are doing something positive for your health.

    The Australian Aboriginal population is one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. They lived in harmony with nature and knew about all the good things it has to offer.

    Did you see the green widget under my photo? Please have a look as it might resonate with you.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:37 am

Danielle Davis

Hey Taetske, this was an interesting post. I love to eat almonds and cashews but I never had macadamia nuts. I am interested to try some as I am a person who is trying to start eating more healthier. My biggest struggle is finding healthy snacks to eat for lunch and in the morning when I am feeling hungry. These are the times where I find myself buying fast food instead of choosing something healthier. Do you have a favorite brand that you would recommend for the macadamia nuts?

Sep 18.2019 | 04:05 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Danielle,

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    A small handful of mixed nuts is a lot healthier than fast food. Do try the macadamia nut and in the video I have included in my post you see it can be also added to many different recipes.

    I live in the south of Spain in a village not so far away from the coast. There is a small spice shop where I go to buy the macadamia nuts. As cultivation of this tree has spread around the globe it will not be difficult to find.  I do not know what brand it is. Important is that you buy nuts that have a light color.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:50 am

Linda Cooper

I have never tried Macadamia nuts. I can’t say I have noticed them much here in the UK.

I will have to get some to try, if only for all the health benefits. I like almonds and hazelnuts but not many others. Definitely don’t like any nut in sugar or chocolate. 

Thank you for the very informative post, I enjoyed reading about the history behind the nut and how it got its name. 

I will share your post on social media for others to read.

Sep 18.2019 | 04:07 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Linda,

    Nice to hear you liked my post. I often like to include a little about the history, to round off my story so to speak.

    I love eating almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and pistachios. Better to eat these healthy things instead of candy bars.

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget

    Regards, Taetske 

    Sep 19.2019 | 06:57 am

Glen

Taetske, thank you for a great article. I include nuts in my diet including macadamia nuts occasionally. My favorites are almonds, pistachios, and brazil nuts. I would like to think that my good cholesterol numbers (including LDL and HDL) are the result of eating healthy nuts. I do a keto diet occasionally. So fats from nuts are an important source of healthy fats. I never realized that macadamia nuts originated in Australia. I lived in Hawaii a few years and assumed they were Hawaiian considering everyone has heard of the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut company.

Sep 18.2019 | 04:10 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Glen,

    Thank you for your visit and comment. Nice to see you again.

    Over the years my diet has evolved into eating more natural things. Nature does such a good job of providing food for us. Humans try to do better and invent awful things they call food and eating man-made food our health has flown out of the window.

    I eat different nuts and seeds every day and have improved my bone density in 2 years by 5%. Great to get older but to get healthier.

    Have you seen the green widget under my photo? I invite you to have a look as it might resonate with you.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Sep 20.2019 | 07:10 am

SeunJeremiah

Thanks for this informative article, Macadamia nuts are known to be both delicious and nutritious. From the nut itself to macadamia nut oil, the health benefits of this cholesterol-free food are too big to ignore. Whether you’re trying to lower your cholesterol or lose weight, I’ll definitely find ways to incorporate the macadamia nut into a healthy diet.

Sep 18.2019 | 04:13 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Sean,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Macadamia nuts taste great and can be used in many recipes, it really gives an extra touch besides being a healthy add on. Nice to hear you found my article informative.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 20.2019 | 07:15 am

John

Wow, I must say that the macadamia nut sounds like a good idea for me. I have learned somewhere that nuts are very good when one wants to get rid of fat and want to take in good calories. Since this one has a good history, I will definitely get it. I like the fact that you could give the history of this nut. I really enjoyed that story. Thank you for this. Cheers!

Sep 18.2019 | 04:13 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning John,

    Nuts are a good substitute for candy bars but even if they are healthy do not overdo it either. Every day a small handful will do to get the benefits, too much will make you put on weight. 

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 20.2019 | 07:21 am

Lisa

I like the topic. Nuts are really good for you and are being wrapped up in all kinds of snack packs, recipes, etc. I like that you share all the history of this tree and how abundant it is in the world today. Great images and easy follow paragraphs. Thank you for providing a healthy, yummy alternative for people to see other than chips or candy bars.

All the best

Melissa

Sep 18.2019 | 04:30 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Lisa,

    Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    From the moment people started to make artificial foods our health went into decline. I firmly believe that the closer we eat to nature the healthier we will be. 

    Did you see the green widget under my photo? Please have a look as it might interest you.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 20.2019 | 07:28 am

Sue

I didn’t know anything about macadamias until I read your interesting article. It’s amazing what goodness there is in one little nut and shows how important it is to understand what we are eating and why we should be eating it. As we get older, it becomes even more important to nurture our health and vitality. 

Mar 27.2021 | 04:21 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon, Sue,

    Thank you for your comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    I started getting interested what food does for your health in 1986. I could say I have gone through my own food evolution. I now know it is paying off as at the age of 70 I live pill free and have no ailments. I am very grateful for that. Mother Nature provides for all our needs, that is for sure.

    Regards, Taetske

    Mar 28.2021 | 03:57 pm

Geoff

I have never tasted a macadamia nut as far as I am aware. Which is a shame, as I like nuts and was unaware of how good these are for my health.

The fact that they can help the brain ward off Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is a good reason on its own for eating them, as both diseases are so prevalent in society.

As you say, it would certainly be more healthy to eat one of these nuts instead of reaching for a bar of chocolate.

Thanks for sharing.

Mar 27.2021 | 04:27 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon, Robert,

    Nuts are great for our health. Like the walnut, which represents the human brain and is considered brain food. I eat them every day in combination with a mix of other nuts. If only we would eat closer to nature and skip most of men-made foods, our health would improve so much.

    Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. I hope you remember you can download a free PDF of your choice? Tulip widget.

    Regards, Taetske

    Mar 28.2021 | 03:51 pm

Joyce Easton

Wow, this is my very first time learning about Macadamia nuts and their health benefits to human nature. It’s been in my interest to look for anything that’ll help improve my health, and this is one important reason for which I appreciate this post.

I equally agreed that it’s most suitable for Keto in respect of its good, natural fat content. If the maximum of 10 nuts is sufficient for the day, what would be the minimum number to consume per day? Thanks.

Joyce

Mar 27.2021 | 04:35 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon, Joyce,

    Mother Nature holds so many gifts it is amazing. Things that grow in nature by itself. No need for pesticides. 

    I think that 3 Macadamia nuts are enough. Too many will make you put on weight. 

    Thank you for your comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Mar 28.2021 | 03:07 pm

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