The oil from macadamia nuts is full of healthy fatty acids and monosaturated fats.
Macadamia oil is pressed from the nut of the Macadamia integrifolia tree, native to the Australian rain forests and now cultivated worldwide. Macadamia oil is used as a frying or salad oil, as well as in cosmetics and skin care products as a moisturizer and skin protectant. Each macadamia nut or "kernel" is made up of more than 60 percent oil.
Basic Properties
Macadamia oil is liquid at room temperature. Once refined, macadamia oil is a clear, lightly amber-colored oil with a slight nutty, buttery taste and odor. Macadamia is cultivated all over the world, most notably in its native Australia and also in Hawaii and Indonesia. Its fatty acid and chemical compound profiles are not typically influenced by environmental differences.
Chemical Composition
Macadamia oil is rich in oleic acid, which is the main fatty acid in olive oil that gives it its healthy properties. Oleic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that may make it effective in fighting chronic diseases, such as heart disease, according to studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Macadamia oil is also a rich source of calcium, vitamin B complex and minerals like phosphorus and iron. It also contains linoleic acid, linolenic acid, omega-3 essential fatty acid, omega-6 and palmitoleic acid.
In the Kitchen
Macadamia oil makes an excellent frying oil due to its high heat capacity and high smoke point. It contains around 80 percent monounsaturated fats and has no trans-fatty acids. It is very stable due to its low polyunsaturated fat content of around 3 percent, and has an unrefrigerated shelf life of one to two years. It is considered heart-healthy compared to butter or vegetable oils. When used for cooking, macadamia nut oil retains a nutty flavor, so it is often used to replace olive oil in baking, sauteing fish or mixing salad dressings.
In Cosmetics
Thanks to its high monounsaturated fatty acid and high palmitoleic acid content, macadamia oil is an emollient, protective oil with a high rate of skin absorption. It is used as a healing oil for scars, sunburns and other skin irritations. The oil closely resembles sebum, the oil naturally produced by human skin, and is often recommended for dry and aging skin. It is commonly used as a base oil for massage oil blends and is often found in moisturizing lotions, body creams, shower gels, soaps, shampoos and conditioners.
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