Macadamia
Macadamia nuts product of tree nut native to Australia, now thrse are grown in different areas of the world, including Hawaii and other parts of word.
Four species of trees in the Proteaceae flowering plant family belong to the genus Macadamia. They are native to Australia, most specifically northeastern New South Wales and central and southeast Queensland. For their fruit, the macadamia nut, two species in the genus are significant commercially.
When Australian seeds were originally imported to Hawaii in the 1880s, the state became the first place in the world to grow the nut on a big scale for commercial purposes. Since the 2010s, South Africa has produced more macadamia nuts than any other country in the world.
Why it's name Macadamia?
The genus was given the name Macadamia in 1857 by the German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in honour of the Scottish-Australian chemist, medical professor, and politician John Macadam, who served as the honorary Secretary of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria from 1857 to 1859.
Macadamia Description
Evergreen macadamias range in height from 7 to 40 feet.
Lanceolate to obovate or elliptic in shape, 60-300 mm long, 30-130 mm wide, and with an entire or spiny-serrated edge, the leaves are grouped in whorls of three to six. The flowers are produced in a long, slender, simple raceme that is 50–300 mm long. Each flower measures 10-15 mm long, has four tepals, and ranges in colour from white to pink or purple. The fruit is a one or two seeded, globose, hard, woody follicle with a sharp apex. The nutshell is especially hard to crack and needs about 2000 N of force. The shell material has mechanical qualities equivalent to aluminium and is five times tougher than hazelnut shells. Vickers hardness measurement is 35.
Macadamia Nutrition Facts
There are 8% protein, 14% carbs, 1% water, and 76% fat in raw macadamia nuts. A reference serving of 100 grammes of macadamia nuts has 740 calories and contains a significant amount of many important nutrients, including thiamine (104% DV), vitamin B6 (21% DV), other B vitamins, manganese (195% DV), iron (28% DV), magnesium (37% DV), and phosphorus (27% DV).
Macadamias are higher in total fat and lower in protein than other popular edible nuts like almonds and cashews. They include a significant percentage of monounsaturated fats (59 percent of the total fat content) and the monounsaturated fat omega-7 palmitoleic acid, which makes up 17% of the total fat.
Added uses
In subtropical areas, the trees are frequently planted as decorative plants for their glossy foliage and alluring blossoms. Known honey is produced from the blooms. Small objects are decorated with the wood. Some Lepidoptera species, notably Batrachedra arenosella, use macadamia species as feeding plants for their larvae.
Hyacinth macaws kept in captivity are frequently given macadamia seeds. The only other animal, except humans, that can successfully split the shell and remove the seed is this huge parrot.
Macadamia Health Benefits
Macadamia nuts has low Natural sugar and carbohydrate content. Additionally, they have a variety of vital nutrients including dietary fibre and antioxidants that help prevent or manage illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and digestive health. it's a great source of: protein, Manganese, Magnesium and Iron including other nutrients.
More and more research is showing that nuts, including macadamia nuts, can help reduce LDL cholesterol (often known as "bad cholesterol") levels, heart disease-related inflammation, and artery health. The flavonoids and antioxidants in macadamia nuts also lessen cellular damage and fight inflammation. They also contain tocotrienols, a vitamin E form that may offer some protection from cancer and neurological disorders.
In addition to above macadamia nuts can also good for the following:
Reduced Chance of Metabolic Syndrome
Your risk of metabolic syndrome may be lower if you consume macadamia nuts. Several risk factors, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood sugar, and belly fat, are associated with this syndrome. These risk factors raise the likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, maintaining a balanced diet and exercise can help.
Reduce Heart Disease Risk
Consuming macadamia nuts frequently may help avoid coronary artery disease, a form of cardiovascular illness, according to research. You can lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels by eating macadamia nuts. A 2015 analysis of six research indicated that reducing cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation, and reducing oxidative stress—which damages cells—were all ways that macadamia nuts reduced lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Reduced Diabetes Risk
According to research, macadamia nuts may help type 2 diabetics manage their blood sugar levels, which may lower their chance of developing metabolic syndrome. According to a meta-analysis published in 2014, tree nuts help people with diabetes maintain better glycemic control. This effect may be brought on by a combination of fibre, monounsaturated fats, and other nutrients.
Maintaining Your Digestive Health
The soluble fibre in macadamia nuts may act as a prebiotic to nourish the good bacteria in your gut and enhance the condition of your digestive system. Although further research is required, prebiotics may also aid in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and other comparable diseases by reducing inflammation.
Help with Losing Weight
The amount of protein and fibre in macadamia nuts may increase feelings of fullness and decrease hunger, which may aid in weight loss. According to a study conducted on healthy Japanese women, those who consumed macadamia nuts after three weeks did so at a slower rate than those who consumed coconut or butter.
Macadamia nuts price
In India, depending upon quality and sizing, macadamia nut production varies from Rs 2000 kg to Rs 5200 kg.
Kenya Macadamia Nuts are expected to cost between US$ 6.16 and US$ 6.17 per pound or between US$ 13.59 and US$ 13.61 per kilogramme in 2022. (lb). KES 1480 per kilogramme is the cost in Kenyan Shillings. In Mombasa and Nairobi, the average price for a tonne is US$ 13586.43.
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