Introduction
Macadamia nuts are the fruits of the Australian native macadamia tree. They are also known as Queensland, bush, maroochi, Hawaii, and bauple nuts. They are found in the tropical rainforest in eastern Australia. Along with Australia Macadamia nuts are grown in many countries as well such as The United States, Australia, and South Africa are major producers of macadamia nuts. Kenya, Malawi, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Zimbabwe.
Nuts are considered a good option when it comes to snacks. Whether you are watching a movie or playing an indoor game, during munching time eating nuts is liked by a lot of individuals. People know about the varieties of nuts but, only a few people know about macadamia nuts. Like other nuts macadamia nuts, are high in nutrients and useful plant chemicals. This article discusses the importance of macadamia nuts, their benefits, history, nutritional profile, and more.
What is Macadamia
The fruit of a big evergreen tree endemic to eastern Australia yields macadamia nuts. Thousands of years before European colonization, Australian aborigines collected native nuts from rainforest floors and ate them as snacks. It was in the early 1880s that the macadamia nut was brought to Hawaii, which is now one of the world’s major macadamia growers.
The nuts are sometimes drowned in chocolate and served as candy or baked products, such as white chocolate macadamia nut biscuits. Their lovely, mellow taste complements savory foods beautifully. Macadamias are well-known for their wonderful buttery flavor and several health advantages.
Macadamia Nuts Benefits
People used to avoid eating nuts in the previous time, this is due to their high-fat content. Whereas, research shows that there are various health benefits, especially if it is eaten daily in a balanced way.
5 Top health benefits of eating macadamia nuts:
- Heart Disease: Macadamia nuts are considered very healthy as they benefit your heart by lowering cholesterol. As you know elevated cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, According to studies eating nuts can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and total cholesterol which helps the heart to function properly.
- Brain Health: Macadamia nuts include copper, B1, magnesium, and manganese, which nourish and enhance bone health. Including macadamia nuts or macadamia oil in the diet regularly is one of the finest methods to boost memory or brain function.
- Increase Metabolism: Vitamin B is abundant in macadamia nuts. Consuming a sufficient amount of these will boost your general health and regulate your metabolism.
- Bone Health: As we know minerals play a very important role in the growth of the human body. Drinking milk and macadamia nuts are a natural source of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. having all these minerals is necessary if you want healthy and strong bone health. It is often observed that elderly people have the problem of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bone mineral density and bone mass decline, or when bone quality or structure changes. Eating macadamia nuts daily can fulfill the deficiency of important minerals in your body, which will ultimately make your bones healthy.
- Control Obesity: Apart from monosaturated fats, Macadamia nuts are abundant in Palmitoleic acid, protein, fiber, and a variety of other nutrients that help keep you satisfied for longer. These nuts also help to avoid sugar spikes and are good for those with type 2 diabetes.
- Control Sugar Level: People with diabetes should consume macadamia since it lowers the person’s glycemic level. Therefore it is suggested that 56 grams of this nut can be consumed daily. People with major medical conditions are advised to consult their doctor for a better result.
History of Macadamia Nuts
This tree from which macadamia nuts comes originated in Australia, However, its commercial cultivation first started in Hawaii, America. Hawaii’s climate is best suited for macadamia nuts. Its cultivation requires abundant rainfall, rich soil, and hot weather. Macadamia nuts can be cultivated in areas where the climate is like Hawaii.
Macadamia Nuts in India
Macadamia nuts are grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Orissa in India. Let us now explore the macadamia nut growing and agricultural methods in India.
Macadamia trees have several stems in nature, but in plantations, they are taught to have a central leader system (one stem). The tree leaves are oval or oblong and are grouped in three or four whorls depending on the cultivar. On racemes of 100-300 blooms, the Macadamia tree produces creamy white or pink-red blossoms. Depending on the tree, it covers a single spherical or elliptical seed or nut with a white or gray kernel.
Macadamia trees may grow to be around 20 meters tall and have a commercial lifetime of 40 to 60 years. Macadamia nuts are rapidly becoming a valuable crop. Tree blooms are tiny and pale, blooming on long spikes, and their nuts can mature all year. The nut features a leathery casing with a 1-inch diameter that houses a spherical nut. They also have a smooth hard shell that protects a white kernel. Because macadamias have shallow roots, they require a lot of water, especially during dry seasons.
Mulch helps to keep plant roots cool and prevents soil from drying out. The tree’s fruit is the most costly and best nut in the world. It grows slowly in damp places but quickly in tropical and subtropical climates. The Macadamia tree can withstand temperatures as low as -5°C. The macadamia tree is easy to cultivate, can thrive in most soils, and can withstand drought.
Macadamia Nuts Nutrition
One ounce of macadamia nuts (approximately 10 to 12 pieces) contains:
Calories: 204
Protein: 2.24 grams
Fat: 21.5 grams
Carbohydrate: 3.9-gram
Fiber: 2.44-gram
sodium: 1.42 milligrams
Sugar: 1.3-gram
Conclusion:
Macadamia nuts are the fruits of the Australian native macadamia tree. They are also known as Queensland, bush, maroochi, Hawaii, and bauple nuts. They are found in the tropical rainforest in eastern Australia. Macadamia nuts are grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Orissa in India. In the early 1880s, the macadamia nut was brought to Hawaii, which is now one of the world’s major macadamia growers. The nuts are sometimes drowned in chocolate and served as candy or baked products, such as white chocolate macadamia nut biscuits. Their lovely, mellow taste complements savory foods beautifully. Macadamias are well-known for their wonderful buttery flavor and several health advantages.
