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Macadamia oil, also known as macadamia nut oil, is a non-volatile oil extracted from the nuts of the macadamia tree ( Macadamia integrifolia), indigenous to Australia. This oil is used in culinary applications as a frying or salad oil, and in cosmetics for its Moisturizer properties and as a fragrance fixative.
Common names of the trees are the Australian nut or the Queensland nut. Species that are “smooth shelled macadamia” are called Macadamia integrifolia and “rough shelled macadamia” are called Macadamia tetraphylla. Macadamia ternifolia is also the name used for M. integrifolia. Macadamia integrifolia is native to Australia where it grows in rain forests and close to streams. Macadamia tetraphylla is native to Southeastern Queensland and Northeastern New South Wales.
| + Macadamia oil technical data ! Parameter !! Units | Max |
| 1.5 | |
| 5.0 | |
| 1.6 | |
| 13.1 | |
| 36 | |
| 6.1 | |
| 51.0 | |
| 3.7 | |
| 4.0 | |
| 3.7 | |
| 1.7 |
Macadamia oil is liquid at room temperature. The refined oil is clear, lightly amber-colored with a slightly nutty smell. It has a specific gravity of 900–920 and a flash point of over 300 °C (572 °F).
Oil accumulation does not occur until the nuts are fully grown and the shell hardens. It accumulates rapidly in the kernel during late summer when the reducing sugar content decreases. The composition of mature, roasted and salted macadamia nuts is shown. Fresh kernels contain up to 4.6% sugar. The oil consists of mainly unsaturated fatty acids and is similar in both species, although the proportion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids appears to be slightly higher in M. integrifolia (6.2:1 compared with 4.8:1).
Macadamia nut oil is primarily used in unheated forms, such as dressings and drizzles. This is based on the premise that its unheated use better preserves the oil's delicate flavor and nutritional components. Therefore, while macadamia nut oil's heat tolerance supports its use in cooking, it is often preferred in raw applications to fully leverage its unique flavor profile.
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