pecan nuts

Photo: flickr user Tatters:)

About

Macadamia nuts are considered by many to be the prime edible nut

Information

Other names: Queensland Nut, Australian Nut

Translations: Makadāmijas riekstu, マカダミアナッツ, Makadamijos riešutų, المكاداميا البندق, Macadamia Matica, Macadâmia, Australski orah, Macadamia Matice, אגוז מקדמיה, Макадамия-Нат, 마카 데 미아 너트, Makadamya nuwes, Macadamia अखरोट, Macadàmia, Макадамія-Нат, 澳洲坚果, Makadamianöt, Oreh, Аустралијски ораха, Macadamia, Macadamia гайка

Physical Description

Macadamia nuts have a very hard seed coat enclosed in a green husk that splits open as the nut matures. Creamy white colored nut that is round and small, about the size of a marble.

Colors: White, cream

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Nutty, sweet

Mouthfeel: Firm

Food complements: White chocolate, Mahi mahi

Substitutes: Brazil nut

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Choosing: Smooth, fresh nuts without blemishes or spots.

Buying: Readily available at grocery stores, gourmet shops and health food stores.

Procuring: Macadamia trees are large, spreading evergreen trees reaching 30 to 40 ft. high and almost as wide. Mature macadamia nuts will fall to the ground from late fall to spring.

Preparation and Use

To home-roast macadamia nuts, place shelled nuts (whole kernels or halves only) in a shallow pan no more than two deep. Roast 40 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully and remove from the oven as soon as they start to turn tan. Salt if desired. After roasting, the nuts store nicely, salted or unsalted, in airtight jars at 40° to 65° F. They can also be frozen. Macadamia nuts are excellent raw or roasted. In addition to being a quality snack, they can be used in almost any recipe that calls for nuts, including stuffings, fruit salads, cakes, etc.

Cleaning: If nuts are in their shells, de-shell. No need to rinse unless covered in dirty.

Conserving and Storing

The nuts store well in airtight jars in cool dark areas. They can also be frozen to extend the shelf life further. To do so, put into plastic containers or in plastic bags.

Social/Political

Macadamia nuts are native to Australia. There is a high demand, and often a high price compared to other nuts. There is a limited but significant commercial production of the nuts in Southern California, and they are also grown in Hawaii.