Macadamia is one of the most expensive nuts in the world. But it is also particularly tasty and healthy. However, the macadamia is not sustainable: In order to get to us, it has to travel long distances.

Compared to other nuts, macadamia nuts have a unique taste: they are very mild, sweet and downright buttery. No wonder, because with 76 grams of fat per 100 grams, they are among the most fatty nuts.

The macadamia originally comes from the Australian rainforests and was already harvested by the Aborigines. In the 19th century, a German and an Australian botanist discovered the nut and named it after the scientist John Macadam. Macadamia trees are no longer only grown in Australia, but in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The cultivation areas include, for example, South Africa, Kenya, Hawaii, Brazil and New Zealand.

Macadamia bears the title “Queen of Nuts” because it is one of the most expensive nuts in the world. This is because the cultivation and further processing are complicated: the macadamia trees are demanding and only grow very slowly. In addition, macadamia nuts have a very hard shell that cannot be cracked with conventional nutcrackers. Therefore they are usually cracked with machines after they have been dried and are sold peeled.

Macadamia Nuts: What Makes Them So Healthy?

The macadamia is not only one of the most expensive, but also one of the healthiest nuts. The ingredients (per 100 grams) show why this is the case:

The 76 grams of fat are mostly mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a positive effect on LDL cholesterol levels and can thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Above all, the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids is very high at over 50 grams. According to a study, they should reduce insulin resistance in diabetic patients (PDF).
With around nine grams of fiber, macadamia nuts are one of the most high-fiber types of nuts.
Macadamia contains many vitamins and minerals. These include B vitamins, vitamin E and the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and potassium. The selenium content in particular is relatively high. The trace element selenium is involved in many processes in our body, among other things it is very important for the thyroid gland.
Despite the many healthy ingredients, you should only eat macadamia nuts in moderation. With around 700 kilocalories per 100 grams, they are quite high in calories. However, a small handful of nuts is a healthy snack between meals.