The most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat macadamia. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.

What macadamia etiquette is

Macadamia etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve, use, and eat macadamia nuts. Such rules help avoid behaviors that may disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow macadamia nuts etiquette to serve them to your guests appropriately.

As a guest, respect macadamia nuts etiquette rules to properly eat them at the dining table and avoid offending your hosts.

What you should know about macadamia

Macadamia nuts are tree nuts from the eponymous tree.

Macadamia nuts have a non-edible hard shell, brown in color. The kernel is edible raw or roasted, round in shape, sweet in flavor, cream in color, and firm in texture.

Etiquette rules to serve and eat macadamia nuts

1) How to store macadamia nuts

You can store macadamia nuts in the pantry, out of the fridge. Keep them in a sealed container or plastic bag, away from direct light and sources of heat. When properly stored, Macadamia nuts can last up to 5 months.

In the fridge, Macadamia nuts can last up to 12 months. Store them in a sealed container or plastic bag. However, storing Macadamia in the fridge affects its nutritional value.

In the freezer, Macadamia nuts can last for over 12 months.

2) How to clean macadamia nuts

Most macadamia nuts in commerce are ready for consumption. Thus, you do not need to clean them.

Before using or serving them, check that the kernels haven’t turned rancid. Discard them if you notice mold, a softer texture, or a foul odor.

3) How to prepare & cook with macadamia nuts

You can serve macadamia nuts whole or use them as an ingredient.

Opening a macadamia nut shell can be relatively difficult. Thus, it is best to buy shelled macadamia kernels. Macadamia nuts are a popular ingredient for pies, cakes, confectionery, and cookies.

Tree nuts are among the most common allergens. Thus, some guests may avoid macadamia nuts in their diets. Before hosting a meal and using macadamia nuts as an ingredient, it is considerate to ask your guests whether they have some dietary restrictions.

4) How to serve & present macadamia nuts

You can serve macadamia nuts as a snack or at the end of a meal, as an accompaniment to cheese and dessert. Macadamia nuts can be appropriate for after-dinner drinks, and formal and informal meals.

Serve macadamia nuts at room temperature. Serve them shelled, whole or crushed.

Present macadamia nuts in a ceramics or glass bowl, or on a plate. Serve them with a serving tablespoon or teaspoon.

5) Foods & beverages to pair macadamia nuts with

Macadamia nuts pair well with many aromas. They go well with tropical fruit, such as bananas, coconut, pineapple, or mango. You can pair them with chocolate and figs too.

You can pair macadamia nuts with a light red wine, such as a light Merlot. Unoaked Chardonnay and Riesling are the most appropriate white wine pairings. Alternatively, you can accompany macadamia nuts with a dessert wine, such as Moscato or sweet Lambrusco, or with a Rum.

6) How to eat macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are usually served in a bowl with a serving spoon. Use the spoon to put a few kernels on your dish or hand. If a serving spoon is not available, take a few macadamia nuts with your fingers.

Eat one macadamia nut at a time. Do not put more than one kernel in your mouth at the same time.

Macadamia etiquette: the worst mistakes

The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors. 

A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. Read more about the Rude Index and its methodology here.  

Avoid the worst macadamia etiquette mistakes. 

• 7/10. Eating more than one macadamia nut at a time.

Additional information for properly serving macadamia

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

Macadamia nuts contain about 718 calories per 100 grams (3.5 oz). One kernel contains about 3 calories.

How to buy the best macadamia nuts

A crucial factor in macadamia etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Availability

The season for macadamia nuts is between spring and summer. The season peaks in May and June, and ends in August.

Choose the best

Since the shell is very hard and difficult to remove, it is best to buy packaged shelled macadamia nuts. Try different brands and find the one that best suits your taste.

Alternatives to macadamia

The most common substitutes for macadamia nuts are other tree nuts. Such as pistachios, almonds, pecan, or hazelnuts.

Resources

• A macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov