Organic Macadamia Nuts - Stock & Bite - 1kg

‘Macadamia’ is a type of tree relating to the flowering plant ‘Protea’ and a type of fossilised pollen. The Proteaceae family (Banksia, Grevillia, Persoonia, and Macadamia) was originally distributed in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Macadamia tree was specifically discovered in Southern Queensland, (Australia) during the same time Australia was separating from the mega-continent of Gondwana. The Macadamia nut has become a popular seed in many continents around the world. They are grown commercially in countries such as- Hawaii, China, South Africa, Australia, as well as West and South America. History of Macadamia The orchard nut has been enjoyed for over fifty million years, and dates back thousands of years by the aboriginal people. Initially called ‘Kindal Kindali’ Macadamia nuts were collected and traded between tribes. They were suggested to be a delicacy and were used as ceremonial gifts. Found in the fringes of rainforests, they were prevalent between the native people and animals. The native aboriginals had names such as ‘Goomburra’ and ‘Boomberra’ for the nuts. In the 1850’s natives showed European botanists the seed and they became intrigued; for years they were confused for chestnuts and black beans. The nut was notably exchanged for tobacco, tommy axes, and rum by European settlers. They were collected and researched by Australian botanists throughout the 1850’s. By 1858 it was named ‘Macadamia’ after scientist John Macadam, the Secretary of the Victorian Philosophical Institute. The first orchard tree was planted, and commercialised, by white settlers in the early 1880s. The plant was established in Lismore, Sydney, Australia by Charles Staff, and is now known as ‘Australia’s gift to the world’. Macadamia’s Nutritional Value The Macadamia nuts plant is filled with a long list of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. In terms of what gastrointestinal advantages it holds, the seed is made up of healthy (monosaturated) fats and carbohydrates. This helps raise your good cholesterol levels, and lower your bad ones. This is particularly helpful for those who have, or who are at risk of diabetes, as the seeds do not spike your sugar levels. Macadamia nuts contain natural soluble fibre which benefits your digestive health and gut health, (acts as a prebiotic) and also contains Copper, which promotes your body turning food into energy. Looking at the rest of the body, Macadamia nuts contain an extremely high amount of Manganese and Magnesium. These minerals work towards forming your bones, connective tissue, and regulating your muscles, the clotting of blood, and the nervous system. The Macadamia seed holds lots of vitamins- Vitamin E, (Tocotrienol) Vitamin B1, (Thiamine)Vitamin B6, and Potassium. These nutrients contain lots of neuroprotective properties, for example, assets that support neurotransmitters travelling around the body, assets that promote the normal functions of the body, and more. Macadamia as a Culinary Resource Macadamias are a special resource in cooking as they can be eaten in several different ways. Raw, whole, chopped, blended, fried, and roasted… those are just some of ways you can enjoy this seed. Their versatility allows you to add them to pretty much any meal at any time, whether that’s to add flavour, or to add some texture, macadamias will not let you down. To add to Macadamia’s versatility, the seed has a high oil content (72%) making it perfect to use as a nut butter and a substitute oil for frying. They also create a great coating for foods. Adding them as a crust or coating to your protein part of the meal can make a simple meal a little bit more exciting. Just by simply crushing the seed, you allow for a crunchy and crispy finish that can also be added on top on meals as a similar touch to breadcrumbs. The Macadamia plant has a very distinct taste, giving the nuts a great additive to your dishes. They really boost the taste and consistency of every dish you cook with, as they have a crunchy hard shell to bite into, but are extremely creamy and velvety inside. This makes for a great addition to creamy pasta dishes, and even desserts. In baking, Macadamias work well in crunchy cookies, (especially with white chocolate) muffins, brownies, gateaux, blondies, mousse, and even in sweet and savoury cakes. The creaminess and munch enhance the flavour and texture of ice cream creating a lovely rich pudding. Macadamia as a Healthy Snack As we all now know, Macadamias are very versatile. They can be eaten raw or cooked, so they can be chucked into most meals- salads, pastas, stir-fries, biscotti, gnocchi, and veggie burgers; to name a few. They are a perfect pantry ingredient because they can be used in any meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a healthy snack. Macadamias are full of fibre, good fats, and protein. As a collection, these make the seeds a beneficial snack; for keeping you healthy and fuller for longer. Macadamias are naturally low in sugar and are full of antioxidants, putting them high up on the list for nuts as a smaller bite to eat. There is no end to the list of versions of snack-based Macadamias. For example, they can be toasted, roasted, salted, spiced, and covered in chocolate. Macadamia in the Beauty Industry Earlier, we talked about the long list of nutrients and minerals found in Macadamia seeds. Vitamin E, (Tocotrienol) Vitamin B1, (Thiamine)Vitamin B6, are just some to name, which, mixed into cosmetics can be really nourishing for the skin and hair. This plant-based product is full of fatty-acids which also boost the moisture levels and anti-aging effect in cosmetics such as- soaps, shampoos, and creams. Other Uses With the parts of the nut that are inedible (Shell and husk) they contain the polymer Lignin and the molecule Cellulose. This, when mixed together is commonly used as the main constituent for wood and Mulch. Macadamias also contain activated carbon/activated charcoal which is extracted and used to purify air and water. Macadamias polymeric composites are also used in lots of different structures, in industries such as aerospace, automotive and other infrastructures involving sand and plastic. Why is Macadamia Expensive With Macadamias versatility, comes its unique and specific development. Macadamia nut prices range between £10 and £40 depending on weight. In terms of nut population, Macadamias take 1% of global growth, because of the small number of plantations. On top of this, Macadamia trees take 10 years to start producing nuts, therefore the harvesting process is incredibly slow, making them a rarer resource to sell and buy. However, with the plant having multipurpose, the nuts are equally as popular. Interestingly, Macadamias require very specific growing conditions. It is no wonder that the main inhabitancy of this plant is in the Southern Hemisphere, because the nuts need warm temperatures, and lots of rain to grow. The rainforests in Australia are home to the largest number of Macadamias, very few other locations offer the same conditions as Australian continent. With this being said, these particular landing spots can be pricey to use for development, adding another reason behind Macadamias higher expense. A good fact about Macadamia’s higher paying price comes from their organic production. Organic Macadamia nuts are made without any chemical, stimulant, or pesticide interaction. They are completely natural and have no interference from the minute they are picked from the plant to the moment you buy them in a shop. Rest assured, Fair Trade works with plenty of companies that produce Macadamias, meaning those nuts have a sustainable and equitable trade history. Keep an eye out for Fair Trade Macadamias in your local shops. Where to buy Macadamias? Despite their complicated and slow growth, Macadamias are not hard to find. You can find smaller packets and jars of raw, roasted and whole Macadamias in most supermarkets. If you’re intrigued by Macadamias in other forms, and want to find the best Macadamia nuts, have a look at your local farm shops, organic shops, and macadamia nut shops, you can even buy macadamia nuts online. Here at Whole Foods Earth, we offer a wide range of Macadamias in different forms: Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts, crunchy/smooth Macadamia butter, Raw Macadamias, and Chocolate Covered Macadamias. Have a look at our healthy food shop online.

It's time our kids go back to school! If you are looking for healthy snacks that are perfect for taking to school or after school, then this short list is for you. Eating healthy snacks can benefit your children in many ways. These healthy snacks will help your kids grow, develop and learn. To make your life easier, you can buy healthy snacks online and fill up your pantry with nuts, dried fruits, seeds, popcorn and dark chocolate. This way, you will always have some healthy snacks at hand. Popcorn Popcorn is a whole grain that is low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates, making it a perfect snack for kids (if you don't add butter and salt). Corn has excellent health benefits for children. It contains a lot of dietary fibre, essential vitamins and minerals. High fibre improves digestion, helps avoid constipation, and stimulates digestive juices' secretion, keeping the bowels healthy. Popcorn also contains a good quantity of iron and calcium, manganese and phosphorous, which are vital for maintaining healthy bones and the functioning of cells. Additionally, corn is loaded with B vitamins, including vitamins B3, B6, pantothenic and folate acid, which are great for the brain and mood. Popcorn contains carotenoid antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein that help protect eye health. Nuts A handful of organic nuts or a serving of as little as 30g daily can benefit your kids in many ways. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, macadamias and Brazil nuts are loaded with nutrients, protein and fibre to help children thrive and are an excellent fuel for the brain. In general, all kinds of nuts offer amazing health benefits, but every kind of nuts can also offer something special including preventing depression and anxiety. Walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, which help fight inflammation. They contain twice as many antioxidants as other nuts, which improve cognitive functioning. Hazelnuts, almonds, pecans and macadamia nuts are heart-healthy. Almonds help improve your kid's memory. Pistachios are rich in oils that help preserve fatty acids and prevent inflammation. Macadamias also help in normal brain functioning. Dark chocolate Dark chocolate is a very healthy snack when consumed in moderation. It contains powerful antioxidants and flavonoids. Flavonoids improve blood flow to the brain, which can significantly improve memory and brain functioning. Veggies and Fruits Fresh vegetables are an obvious healthy snack. Packed with vitamins, they contain everything your children need to grow and develop in the right way. Dried fruits can be an excellent replacement for fresh fruits due to their longer shelf life. They contain all the nutrients of fruits but can last longer in your pantry. Your kids will love dried fruits like cranberries, dried apricots, cranberries, dates and figs.

Are macadamia nuts healthy? Macadamia nuts are rich in nutrients. They are packed with healthy mono-saturated fats. They also contain vitamins (including B6), fibre, thiamine, manganese, copper, magnesium, and iron. Macadamia nuts are low in carbs and sugar, which makes them good for people with diabetes (they will unlikely cause a spike in your sugar level). They also contain flavonoids which are antioxidants helping to fight inflammation and lower cholesterol. Additionally, they are loaded with tocotrienols, a kind of vitamin E, another antioxidant which may help lower cholesterol levels. What are the health benefits of macadamia nuts? Eating macadamia nuts is linked to several health benefits, including lowering bad cholesterol, improving heart health and blood sugar control, and helping digestion and weight management (despite the high-calorie content). Macadamia nuts are also associated with a lower risk of developing cancer and brain diseases. Why are macadamia nuts expensive? The reason why macadamia nuts are so expensive is the fact that they are tree nuts. They are not only rare but need a long time to grow. The trees take years from planting to harvest (between three to even seven years). Macadamia trees are grown in a few different locations of the world but require special climate conditions, so they cannot be grown everywhere. The species originated in the high-altitude hills of Queensland, Australia, but today farmers adapted hybrids of macadamia that can grow in a similar environment in the mountains of California, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. Macadamia trees require a lot of rain and a temperate climate identical to the one the trees come from. The same type of land is often used for coffee, avocado, and fruits, which are more profitable crops for the local farmers, giving crops much earlier than macadamia trees. Moreover, because of the increasing land attractiveness and value in these regions, farming has to compete with tourism and real estate development these days. Another factor in the high price is the processing issues. Macadamia nuts are harvested prematurely, meaning the farmers can’t see the kernel inside the shell when picking them, so they might gather the nuts while they are still developing the oil. Another problem is the shelling damage to the kernels if not done correctly. Whole macadamia nuts are very rare. They make up less than half of shelled macadamia kernels; the rest are macadamia halves or pieces that got damaged in the shelling process. Adding to the ever-growing demand for macadamia nuts, these are all the reasons why macadamia nuts are so expensive. Can people with an allergy to nuts eat macadamia nuts? Macadamia nuts are tree nuts, so like any other tree nuts, they may cause allergies. However, the allergy to macadamias is rare. It is estimated to cause less than 5% of all tree nut allergies. If you're allergic to one type of tree nut, it doesn't mean you're allergic to all kinds of tree nuts - check with your doctor if you can eat macadamia nuts safely. Can dogs eat macadamia nuts? Even though macadamia nuts are so beneficial for humans they are on the list of food products to avoid when feeding your dog. The compound of macadamia that is toxic to dogs is unknown but even 1 macadamia nut may cause vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination and hyperthermia so keep your doggies away from your macadamias!