Macadamia oil is produced by extracting oil from the nuts of the Macadamia intergrifolia tree. The nuts grow on the macadamia tree, a native Australian plant. Macadamia nuts are popular for their subtle nutty flavor, rich texture, nutrition density, and a great source of fatty acids.
Pure macadamia oil is clear, golden yellow, and liquid at room temperature.
Table of Contents
- Best Macadamia nut oil in the market today
- 1. Carlyle Macadamia Nut Oil
- 2. Calmoura Macadamia Oil
- 3. Lucius Organic Macadamia Oil
- 4. Roland Food Virgin Macadamia Oil
- 5. Australian Macadamia Nut Oil
- Macadamia Oil for Cooking and Eating
- Benefits of Macadamia Oil
- 1. Health Benefits of Macadamia Oil
- 2. Benefits of macadamia oil to the hair
- a. Strengthen hair
- b. The scalp
- c. Ideal for curly hair
- d. Smoothens hair
- How macadamia oil can be used on hair
- 3. Macadamia oil for skin
- Takeaway
Originally an Australian plant, the Macadamia tree was transplanted to Hawaii in 1881 by William Pulvis. From where we stand currently, Hawaii is the leading producer of macadamia nuts in the world.
Other than Australia and Hawaii, macadamia is also grown in Brazil, South Africa, California, Kenya, Malawi, Colombia, New Zealand, Bolivia, Israel, and Costa Rica.
Best Macadamia nut oil in the market today
More often than not, when it comes to purchasing macadamia oil, we find ourselves standing in the grocery store probably staring at rows of macadamia oil brands not sure what to choose. For those who opt for the more convenient online shopping, it is even worse.
If you don't know what you are looking for, you will find yourself browsing through dozens of macadamia oil brands. Each brand claiming that its product is the best. It is a tough call to make and especially if you want to purchase only the best products.
In this post, we will review five of the best macadamia oil brands in the market today. Brace yourself!
1. Carlyle Macadamia Nut Oil
Carlyle Macadamia Nut Oil, is gluten-free, has no yeast and no artificial color. With a smoking point of 410 degrees Fahrenheit, this particular brand is food grade and ideal for cooking.
It can also be used for hair treatment and as an essential ingredient in facial care products. Carlyle Macadamia Nut oil is non-greasy.
2. Calmoura Macadamia Oil
Calmoura Macadamia Oil is 100% pure organic lavender essential oil. The oil is highly concentrated and steam distilled.
In addition to the benefits of macadamia oil, the sensual lavender oil extracts in the brand have been proved to soothe the nervous system, ease headache, induces sleep, and soothes the skin.
Calmoura Macadamia Oil is used in soap making, bathing oil, and as an essential ingredient in hair care products.
With 365 days money guarantee this is a brand worth trying out.
3. Lucius Organic Macadamia Oil
This is undoubtedly the freshest and a high-quality brand in the market today. Lucius Organic Macadamia Oil is extracted through a cold-pressing process and, only organically grown Australian nuts are used.
Lucius Organic Macadamia Oil is raw and unrefined hence the pure golden yellow color and strong nutty aroma. With a smoking point of 400 degrees F, this particular brand has no added preservatives or chemicals.
It is ideal for hair conditioning to rejuvenate dry and fizzy hair and deep skin repair.
4. Roland Food Virgin Macadamia Oil
In this brand, macadamia oil is extracted through cold -pressing process so as maintain the mild aroma and delicate taste.
Roland Food Virgin Macadamia Oil is ideal for frying and grilling. With a smoke point of 450 degrees F, Roland Macadamia oil can be used in salad dressing, baking, and roasting.
5. Australian Macadamia Nut Oil
Australian Macadamia Nut Oil is arguably the chef's choice when it comes to cooking. It has a smoke point of 515 degrees F, nutty flavor, retains the natural golden yellow color, and is gluten-free. This particular brand is vegan friendly and no genetic modifications are made to the final product.
Macadamia Oil for Cooking and Eating
Compared to other oils, macadamia oil has a high smoke point averaging from 400 degrees F - 434 degrees F. This property makes the oil and an ideal candidate for roasting and grilling.
The mild nutty flavor makes macadamia oil a chef's choice when it comes to baking, salad dressing, and marinating. For a long time, olive oil has been the indisputable king when it comes to cooking but things are changing pretty fast as people begin to understand all the health benefits of macadamia oil and other essential oils.
Macadamia nut oil has 78-84% of monounsaturated fats higher than olive oil. It is also sodium and cholesterol-free.
Average fats composition in macadamia oil
- Oleic acid- [55-67%] Oleic acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that when consumed to replace carbs in a diet can help improve cardiovascular health.
- Palmitoleic acid- [15-25%] a monounsaturated fat that when consumed helps improve insulin sensitivity and cholesterol metabolism.
- Palmitic acid- [5-9%] a saturated fatty acid which on rare cases has the likelihood to increase levels of bad cholesterol and negatively affect the heart
- Stearic acid- [2-5%] stearic acid is a saturated fat that helps decrease levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
- Linoleic acid- [1-4%] omega 6 fatty acids which have a proven track record of helping with weight loss.
How do add macadamia oil to your day to day diet
To most people especially those who wish to try macadamia oil for the first time, it is not clear how the oil can be added to our day-to-day diet. Do you drink it raw in the morning before your workout? Add it to your milkshake?
Well, the following are some of the recommended ways on how you can add macadamia oil to your day-to-day diet.
i. As a salad dressing
Beyond any shadow of a doubt, macadamia oil is a delicious base for salad dressing. The distinct nutty flavor and non-greasy texture make the recipe not only delicious but also quick and simple to make.
ii. As a marinade
Yes, macadamia oil is an ideal candidate for flavored marinades. For a great and distinct taste, in marinating lamb back straps, chicken steak, use macadamia oil with other flavorsome mixtures like garlic, sumac, and cumin.
iii. Substitute for butter when baking
Macadamia oil is an excellent substitute for butter in baking.
iv. Grilling, roasting, and deep-frying
The high smoking point makes macadamia oil the best oil for grilling and roasting. All you have to do is drizzle the oil on whatever you are grilling or roasting and you are good to go.
Benefits of Macadamia Oil
When it comes to the benefits of essential oil, more often than not, the conversation starts and ends with olive oil. Macadamia oil is slowly rising to the top spot probably after the realization of the numerous benefits of the oil to our health, skin, and hair.
1. Health Benefits of Macadamia Oil
It is impossible to ignore the health benefits of macadamia oil which cut across heart health to preventing diabetes.
a. Heart health
Macadamia oil is rich in monounsaturated fats that help lower levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Building up bad cholesterol in the body is a recipe for a heart attack and heart failure in the long run.
Macadamia nut oil also helps re-balance the ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to maintain a healthy heart.
b. Support weight loss
Obesity is slowly growing to be a national epidemic. Even worse, shedding those extra pounds is not always as easy as advertised.
Macadamia oil is rich in fats that when consumed will reduce hunger pangs. Meaning that you will stay full for longer periods and, when full your chances of overeating are significantly low.
c. Improves insulin sensitivity
Diabetes is a chronic disease that scientists are yet to find a complete cure for. There are two types of diabetes, type I and type II diabetes. All these revolve around the body being unable to breakdown glucose into energy causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
One of the leading causes of diabetes is body cells getting resistant to the effects of insulin. The monounsaturated fats in macadamia oil when consumed helps improve insulin sensitivity treating type II diabetes in the process.
d. Vitamin E
Macadamia oil is rich in tocotrienols. A vitamin E group that plays an essential role in neurological and cardiovascular diseases!
2. Benefits of macadamia oil to the hair
Macadamia oil is safe for all hair types with dry and damaged hair reaping more benefits.
a. Strengthen hair
Most mineral oils when applied to the hair and scalp end up building up and overtime make the hair look dull and feel heavier. Macadamia oil penetrates the hair follicles more effectively compared to other oils. It binds naturally with the hair shaft infusing it with fatty acids that leave the hair looking healthier and stronger.
b. The scalp
Macadamia oil helps keep the scalp and hair moisturized by regulating the oil production of the scalp. Linoleic acid a compound in the oil restores the skin barrier of the scalp by reducing transepidermal water loss. Here is a summary of how macadamia oil is essential to the scalp:
- Softens the skin
- Moisturizing the skin
- Regenerates skin cells
c. Ideal for curly hair
There is always some magic with curly hair. It adds a touch of class to the overall look. Well, this only true when the curls are in good condition.
As we all know curly hair that is damaged and dried out is very hard to style. If you try to style it, it breaks easily. Macadamia oil helps when applied to curly hair helps restore moisture down from the hair shaft locking it in. This adds natural protein to the hair making it look healthier and becomes easy to style.
d. Smoothens hair
Macadamia oil has emollient properties that help smoothen the hair making it shinier. When your hair is soft you are perceived as someone who knows how to take care of yourself. Well, as much as other people's opinions don't matter all that much it doesn't hurt stepping out in public looking all sexy and confident. And, it starts with good hair.
How macadamia oil can be used on hair
I. As a leave-in treatment- macadamia oil is an ideal leave-in hair treatment. All you have to do is, rub the oil on the palm of your hands then apply it to your hair evenly. Ensure that your hands reach down the scalp.
II. Pre-shampoo- as the name suggests, you can use macadamia oil before shampooing. How do you go about it? Working through from the scalp to the hair ends.
III. Conditioner- Yes, you can use macadamia oil in hair conditioning. Apply macadamia oil to a clean scalp; take time to evenly massage the hair. Cover with a shower cap then leave it for 10-20 minutes to trap heat before rinsing off.
IV. Consuming it- though there lacks enough scientific evidence; there have been suggestions that consuming macadamia oil helps improve the overall health of your hair.
3. Macadamia oil for skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It doesn’t end there, human beings have a tendency of judging others based on their appearance and the skin plays a crucial role in this.
Macadamia oil is an essential ingredient in many skincare products and works wonders when applied directly to the skin. The oil is ideal for all skin types and is a must-have in your beauty arsenal.
i. Helps in the production of keratin
Macadamia oil is rich in oleic acid and palmitoleic acid all of which helps in the production of keratin. Keratin is a skin protein necessary for overall skin health.
ii. Anti-aging
Aging is invertible but premature skin aging can be prevented. Macadamia oil is a rich antioxidant and it is this property that helps slow down skin aging. How? Macadamia oil fights the activities of free radicals in the body. It is these free radicals that cause premature aging.
iii. Moisturizer
Macadamia oil is the closest thing to sebum any facial product can get. It is therefore not only moisturizes the skin but also locks in the moisture. It is easily absorbed by all skin types and leaves no greasy residues.
Takeaway
Macadamia oil is an industry that has so much potential. More people are beginning to embrace the benefits of this magical oil and we can all understand why. Is this something that you should try out? Yes, macadamia oil has hypoallergenic hence ideal for everyone. This might be the missing ingredient lacking for you to get that hair or skin you have always wanted. What could go wrong? Get your macadamia oil today!
