Queen of Dried Fruits: How much do you know about macadamia nuts?

Mondo Gastronomy Updated on 2024-01-31

Macadamia nuts are a tree-borne nut that is highly nutritious. Macadamia nuts are also known as macadamia nuts, and other names include Queensland nuts, macadamia nuts, Queensland chestnuts, coarse-shelled macadamia nuts, etc. Its scientific name is Macadamia ternifolia Fmuell.In plant taxonomy, it is an evergreen tree species belonging to the genus Macadamia in the family Yamalongaceae. There are 14 varieties of macadamia nuts in the world, and two of them are cultivated in our country, namely macadamia nuts (macadamia nuts) and four-leaf macadamia nuts.

Macadamia nuts are native to the coastal rainforests of southeastern Queensland, Australia, and the northern river valleys of New South Wales. At present, macadamia nuts are cultivated in a large area in Hawaii, the United States, and Australia, and have also been expanded to Mexico, Central and South America, and South Africa. In China, macadamia nuts have been introduced since the sixties and seventies of the last century, and then began to be vigorously planted in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan and other provinces and regions.

Macadamia nuts are crispy, tender and delicious, with a unique creamy aroma, and are widely regarded as the best quality edible nuts, known as the "Queen of Dried Fruits" and "The King of Nuts in the World". Macadamia nuts are extremely rich in nutrients, with an oil content of up to 60 to 80%, and are also rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1, B2 and amino acids.

Macadamia nuts have a variety of nutritional values and benefits:

1.Macadamia nuts are rich in high-quality protein, which can provide the body with the amino acids it needs. This is important for cell repair and regeneration, while also helping to build healthy muscle tissue.

2.Macadamia nuts are also rich in healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are important for maintaining heart health and lowering cholesterol levels.

3.Macadamia nuts are rich in fiber, which contributes to the proper functioning of the digestive system. They promote intestinal motility, slow down the passage of food through the digestive tract, and increase feelings of fullness. Fiber also helps control blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes and obesity.

4.Macadamia nuts are also good for vitamins and minerals**. They are rich in vitamin E, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage. Vitamin B6 is essential for normal nerve function and hemoglobin production. Calcium, magnesium and zinc are key minerals for maintaining bone health and immune function.

5.Macadamia nuts are also believed to help lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. They are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can lower levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) while raising levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

6.Macadamia nuts may be beneficial for brain health. Studies have shown that the antioxidants and healthy fats in macadamia nuts can protect nerve cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

7.Macadamia nuts are also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce chronic inflammation and prevent the development of chronic diseases. The antioxidants in them can neutralize free radicals and reduce cell damage and inflammatory responses.

Macadamia nuts are originally wrapped in green fruits, and during the ripening season, the fruit will naturally crack a small slit, and in order to make it easier to eat, macadamia nut manufacturers will use machine processing to widen this gap, so this crack has the characteristics of natural splitting, and it has been artificially treated.

Macadamia nuts are a much-loved snack that can be eaten straight as dried fruit or baked into a variety of flavors such as preserves, chocolate fillings, and nut chips. In addition, macadamia nuts can also be used as a garnish for puff pastry and pastries, adding a special taste and aroma to desserts. In cooking, macadamia nuts can be ground into flour and used to make cakes, breads, and cookies, among other things. Macadamia nuts are high in fat and fat, making them suitable for high-temperature cooking, such as pan-frying, frying, and roasting. In addition, macadamia nuts can also be thinly sliced and sprinkled on salads and hot dishes to add flavor and texture.

There are a few ways to easily hull and preserve the whole macadamia pulp:

1.Use a specialized peeler: Insert the peeler into the cracks of the macadamia nut and turn the handle of the peeler to easily open the macadamia shell.

2.Pry open with an iron spoon: Find a hard object, similar to the shape of a fruit opener, insert it in reverse into the crack of the macadamia nut, and pry open the macadamia nut shell in the same way as a fruit opener.

3.Smash it open with a cloth bag: Put the macadamia nuts that need to be shelled and eaten into a cloth bag or thicker bag, and then smash the bag a few times to break the flesh out of the shell.

Regarding how to choose macadamia nuts, you can pay attention to the following:

1.Flavors: Macadamia nuts are available in plain, creamy, and salt-baked flavors on the market, depending on personal taste.

2.Appearance: Fresh and high-quality macadamia nuts with brown husks and a rounded and full overall profile. If the husk is black or gray in color, it may indicate that it has been stored for a long time. For shelled macadamia nuts, the flesh color is preferably creamy white or pale yellow. Macadamia nuts will gradually darken in color during storage, and if the flesh is too dark in color, such as dark brown, it may have deteriorated.

3.Shake: Pick up the macadamia nut and shake it in your hand, if you can hear a slight noise inside the shell, it means that the flesh has come off the shell and can be purchased directly. This macadamia nut falls directly after opening, making it more convenient to eat. If the macadamia nut can't shake, it may be a sign that the flesh is sticking to the shell.

4.Size: Try to choose macadamia nuts with larger heads, as larger ones are fuller on the inside and are more delicious to eat.

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