Macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. Its high cost is due to the plant's demanding growing conditions. It grows only in a warm, humid climate, is often affected by pests and diseases, and begins to bear fruit only after 10 years of life - growers have to put in a lot of effort to obtain a harvest.
Despite all the difficulties in cultivation, macadamia enjoys stable popularity worldwide, as it is also one of the most beneficial nuts. It is used in medicine, cosmetology, and cooking.
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What is the Macadamia Nut and Where Does It Grow
Macadamia is a tree with a height ranging from 2 to 15 m. It has green, dense, elongated leaves with smooth edges. The fruits of the plant are nuts. One tree, ten years after planting, yields an average of 100 kg of nuts and bears fruit every season.
Macadamia nuts have an almost perfectly round shape with a pointed tip on one side. Immature fruits have a dark green leathery shell; upon ripening, it turns a light brown shade, acquires a glossy shine, and hardens. Inside the thick shell is a creamy-colored kernel with a brown film on top. It has a crumbly texture and a sweet, nutty-vanilla flavor.
The nut's historical homeland is considered to be Australia. The country exports between 400,000 and 700,000 tons per year. The tree is also cultivated in Brazil, the USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
The plant can thrive in any country with a tropical or subtropical climate. It is demanding of warmth, sunlight, and humidity.
Macadamia is considered one of the most expensive products in the world. The minimum price for 1 kg is 30 dollars.
Interesting Fact! In some Southern European countries with very mild winters, experimental cultivation in protected gardens is possible. However, the tree cannot survive typical European winter cold snaps and is primarily grown in large-scale greenhouses or conservatories for botanical collections.
Composition and Caloric Value of the Nut
Macadamia nuts are highly nutritious. There are 720 kcal per 100 g of product.
Despite the high caloric content, consuming these nuts can aid in weight loss, as they contain fats that are easily processed by the body.
Macronutrients (BJU) of macadamia:
- protein - 7.9 g;
- carbohydrates - 5.2 g;
- fats - 75.8 g.
The valuable nut contains many substances beneficial for the human body:
- vitamins: A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, PP, E;
- macro- and microelements: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese;
- dietary fiber;
- fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6.
The product does not contain harmful cholesterol. This makes it particularly safe for people with atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Health Benefits for the Body
Macadamia is the most beneficial nut of all existing ones. It positively affects almost all processes in the body. It improves the condition of internal organs, skin, and hair.
Benefits of macadamia nuts:
- strengthen vascular walls and remove cholesterol from the body - this reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, and atherosclerosis;
- lower blood pressure - with regular consumption, they help treat hypertension;
- have an analgesic effect - relieve migraines and headaches;
- prevent the development and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease;
- strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve dental health, reduce the risk of rickets;
- positively impact brain function and improve the state of the nervous system, alleviate depression, improve mood, eliminate insomnia, enhance memory;
- cleanse the body of toxins, free radicals, and heavy metals;
- improve liver condition, prevent gallstones and kidney stones;
- beneficially affect the condition of skin and hair, slow down the aging process;
- increase endurance and tone the body;
- help restore vitamin and mineral balance in the body, eliminate anemia;
- increase cell sensitivity to insulin, lower blood sugar levels;
- accelerate metabolic processes;
- improve the state of the endocrine system, normalize hormonal balance;
- strengthen the immune system, activate immune processes.
The nuts have a beneficial effect on all systems and organs and on overall health when consumed regularly. They are part of many traditional recipes and some pharmaceutical products.
Benefits for Women
Macadamia is especially beneficial for women. The product helps prevent problems specific to the female body.
Benefits of the macadamia nut for the female body:
- reduces the severity of pain during menstruation, relieves spasms and has an analgesic effect, reduces the severity of PMS;
- helps during menopause, reduces the frequency of hot flashes and the severity of symptoms;
- normalizes hormonal balance, aids in the treatment of thyroid diseases;
- reduces inflammation, helps in the treatment of cystitis and diseases of the female reproductive organs;
- slows down the aging of the body with regular consumption.
Macadamia is an indispensable product in the beauty industry. It improves the condition of skin, nails, and hair, promotes weight loss, and reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Benefits for Men
It is also beneficial for men to consume macadamia. The product helps combat the most common problems:
- prevents the development of impotence, improves potency with regular use;
- increases libido;
- improves the condition of the prostate gland;
- strengthens the genitourinary system.
Recommended for athletes. The product increases endurance and improves the quality of workouts.
Uses of the Australian Macadamia Nut
The royal macadamia nut is used in many areas. It is used in cooking, cosmetology, and medicine. The product aids in weight loss.
Not only the kernels are used. The shell and macadamia oil also have healing properties.
In Traditional Medicine
Macadamia nuts help combat health problems. Their use is recommended for:
- cardiovascular diseases;
- liver and pancreatic disorders;
- menopause;
- atherosclerosis;
- hypertension;
- reduced bone density, increased risk of fractures;
- hormonal imbalances;
- thyroid diseases;
- avitaminosis;
- depression;
- deterioration of memory and mental function;
- chronic fatigue;
- reduced potency;
- prostate diseases;
- flatulence;
- dysbacteriosis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the female reproductive organs;
- infertility;
- recovery after surgeries and infectious diseases.
Macadamia is a supplement to the main treatment, not the sole medicinal product. It is consumed for the treatment of the described conditions after consultation with a doctor.
Traditional remedies made from the product:
- Tincture for body cleansing: 20 nut kernels are chopped with a knife, poured with boiling water, and left for 24 hours. Consume 100 ml before meals 3 times a day for a week.
- Paste for strengthening immunity: 100 g of macadamia, 1 lemon, 100 g of prunes, and 100 g of dried apricots are ground in a meat grinder. Add 2 tbsp of honey to the mixture and place it in the refrigerator. Eat 2 tbsp once a day after meals for a month.
In Cosmetology
The product helps solve cosmetic problems. Nut oil and kernels have the following effects:
- Face - smoothes fine wrinkles, nourishes, eliminates age spots and freckles, restores firmness and elasticity, prevents the appearance of wrinkles, protects from ultraviolet radiation;
- Hair - strengthens hair follicles, stops hair loss, reduces scalp oiliness, improves hair structure, accelerates growth;
- Body - improves blood circulation, smoothes skin texture, eliminates inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, reduces cellulite;
- Skin - accelerates regeneration, reduces inflammation, makes scars less noticeable.
In cosmetology, macadamia nut oil is used for external application. Here are a few recipes.
For Hair Nourishment and Shine
1 tbsp of green tea is poured with a glass of boiling water. After 20 minutes, take 4 tbsp of the resulting infusion. Add 2 tbsp of macadamia oil and 1 tbsp of avocado oil to the tea. The composition is thoroughly mixed, rubbed into the scalp, and distributed through the hair.
The head is wrapped in film and left for an hour. Then it is washed off with shampoo. The procedure is repeated twice a month.
Mask for Dry Skin
4 tbsp of macadamia oil are mixed with 1 tsp of honey. The mixture is applied to the skin of the face and hands and left for 20 minutes. Then it is washed off without using soap, and the face is blotted with a paper napkin. If you add 1 tsp of lemon juice to the mixture, you get a mask for removing age spots.
For an even and beautiful tan, pure macadamia oil is rubbed into the skin.
How to Use for Weight Loss
To lose excess weight, nut kernels are consumed as part of a diet. Of course, eating a few nuts won't make kilograms disappear in a day. The product helps fight fat deposits when combined with proper nutrition and sufficient physical activity.
Macadamia has the following effects for weight loss:
- normalizes metabolism, promotes increased calorie expenditure at rest, accelerates the breakdown of fat deposits;
- contains fatty acids, a deficiency of which creates a craving for fatty foods or fast carbohydrates - consuming macadamia compensates for the lack of beneficial acids, making it easier to follow a diet;
- helps eliminate chronic inflammation, which is considered a cause of cellulite;
- improves mood - this reduces the need for sweet products;
- restores intestinal microflora.
Macadamia, like other nuts, is eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It is recommended to consume no more than 50 g of nuts per day.
Culinary Uses
The nut is also used in cooking. Dishes with this product can be found in restaurants. It is used in the following recipes:
- Desserts - the nut pairs well with chocolate and vanilla; it is used to garnish cakes, cookies, and ice cream;
- Salads - any salad becomes tastier and healthier when sprinkled with chopped macadamia (one nut per serving is enough);
- Meat dishes - the product is used to garnish or stuff meat.
Nuts are consumed raw or roasted. Untoasted macadamia contains more beneficial substances.
Contraindications and Potential Harm
The Australian macadamia nut has not only beneficial properties but also contraindications. These include:
- nut allergy;
- liver diseases;
- stomach ulcer.
When consumed in reasonable quantities, macadamia nut is only beneficial. It can cause harm only if there are contraindications or excessive consumption. The fat percentage in the product is high, and eating too much can cause problems with the pancreas and lead to weight gain.
Important! The macadamia nut is beneficial for humans but is toxic to dogs.
How to Store and Where to Buy Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia is not typically sold in regular supermarkets. The nut is ordered online or purchased in health food stores and shops specializing in exotic products.
In the shell, the product can be stored in a dry, dark place for up to a year. They are shelled immediately before consumption by cracking along the seam.
Shelled nuts can be stored for no more than 3 months if they are in a vacuum package. Opened packages should be refrigerated and consumed within a month.
Conclusion
Macadamia is an incredibly beneficial nut. It is considered one of the most expensive products in the world. It can be difficult to find in many European countries. The Australian nut is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It is used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetology.