If you’re a lover of nuts, you’ve likely tried peanut butter and almond butter. But did you know that you can make macadamia nut butter too? Macadamia nuts (or mac nuts for short) are incredibly versatile and can even be used to make macadamia milk! Keep reading to learn how to make your own and add macadamia nuts to your daily diet.
The Anatomy of a Raw Macadamia Nut
Macadamia nuts are kernels contained in a hard shell and green outer husk which is removed during the harvesting process. Mac nuts have some of the hardest to crack shells of all nuts. So, it’s a good thing we do the hard work for you, so all you need to do is enjoy the rich, creamy macadamia flavor and its nutritional benefits.
Is Macadamia Milk a Better Alternative Than Almond Milk?
Plant-based milks are a great alternative to dairy, and nut milks are a great way to get the benefits of protein and flavor minus the lactose and ethical issues associated with the dairy industry. The most popular plant-based milk is almond milk. Wondering how mac nut milk stacks up against it?
Macadamia nut milk contains a higher amount of healthy monounsaturated fats which are believed to lessen inflammation in the body, reduce bad cholesterol levels, and help your regular cell function. In other words, they’re full of good fat, and have zero of the harmful trans fats. This high fat content is paired with lower sugar content compared to almond milk, which makes macadamia milk a better option for Keto and Paleo diet followers.
Another difference between macadamia milk and almond milk are their respective impacts on the environment. Almonds production involves heavy water (and sometimes pesticide) use, which takes a toll on the environment. Mac nut trees, on the other hand, have water-optimizing abilities that allow them to thrive without depleting ground water sources.
How Does Macadamia Nut Butter Compare to Peanut Butter?
Macadamia nut butter has a delicious, creamy flavor and is loaded with protein and beneficial fat, which make it a filling snack. Overall, macadamia nut calories are higher than peanut butter due to the higher fat content, but the key thing to remember is that it is heart-healthy fat that your body needs! Macadamia nut butter also contains more minerals, such as magnesium, which is crucial for many processes in the body, such as supporting the function of our muscles and nerves.
What Is the Calorie Count of a Typical Macadamia?
When it comes to nutrition, mac nuts have the highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (the good fats)! As for macadamia nut calories, there are around 700 calories in 100 grams of mac nuts, and this energy comes with healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By now you’re probably convinced to try making your own macadamia milk and nut butter to take full advantage of this nutritious nut!
Recipes: Macadamia Milk and Nut Butter Recipes To Try Today
Making your own macadamia milk or macadamia nut butter is the best way to ensure you end up with the healthiest possible product. Store-bought butters are not only expensive but also often contain added sugars and oils.
Mac Nut Butter Recipe
All you need to make your own macadamia nut butter at home are some macadamia nuts*, a blender, and whatever other flavor you’d like to add. Simply toss a few cups of the nuts in the blender and turn it on high speed until it reaches your preferred level of smoothness. Then, pour it into a jar with a lid and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it.
To mix it up, you can always add a pinch of sea salt or a natural sweetener such as honey. Adding vanilla extract or cocoa powder is another great twist for a more decadent, dessert-like macadamia nut butter.
Mac Nut Milk Recipe
Making macadamia milk at home is simple. The main ingredients are macadamia nuts and water. It’s up to you whether you use roasted or raw nuts* for this recipe–it depends on what flavor you want. For neutral-tasting nut milk that you can add to food like cereal, you may want to stick with raw macadamia nuts. For a creamier, roasted flavor, use roasted mac nuts.
Once you’ve decided what type of macadamia nuts to use, simply:
- Combine 1 cup of macadamia nuts with 4 cups of water in a blender and blend until smooth (there should be no visible chunks of nuts when you’re done)
- Strain if you like (not a requirement)! You can use a cheesecloth or special nut milk bag to strain your mixture over a large bowl. The leftover pulp can be added to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.
- Enjoy the creamy milk and store any extra in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Just like with the macadamia nut butter, you can try out different flavors like vanilla and chocolate with your macadamia milk.
Remember that macadamia nuts are bad for dogs and can have toxic effects, so don’t share your macadamia milk or macadamia nut butter with your furry friend. That just means even more rich, buttery mac nuts for you!
*Note on using raw mac nuts vs. roasted mac nuts
If you are using raw mac nuts, you should let them soak in water for a couple of hours before making your mac nut milk or mac nut butter. Soaking the nuts in water neutralizes enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid in the nuts so that it’s easier for your body to absorb all the nutritional goodness contained in the nuts. Plus, it softens the nuts so they are easier to blend.
The advantage of using roasted mac nuts is that you can toss them in the blender without soaking them, which is more convenient if you have an urgent craving for mac milk or butter!