So, I was at the grocery store the other day, and couldn’t decide between buying cashews or almonds when I noticed that Planters had a cashew, almond and macadamia nut mix. Now, I’ve never had macadamia nuts before (they’re damn expensive), but TV and movie characters always act like they’re ambrosia (that waitress in the lottery movie, the Korean orphans in MAS*H), and it was cheaper than buying a can of cashews and a can of almonds, so I got that instead.
Imagine my surprise when I put one of the macadamia nuts in my mouth and started chewing. They’re just icky! I thought at first that I’d just gotten a bad nut, but the next couple I tried were just as bad.
So, what’s the deal? Am I just some kind of mutant, or is Hollywood chock-full of lyiing bastards?
Macadamias have a different texture than most nuts. They’re softer, and I think a little sweeter, than cashews or almonds. If you’re expecting the hard crunch when you bite into a mac, then, yeah, you will be surprised. But they are a marvelous nut for cooking. Try mac-encrusted salmon, if you ever get a chance. I like them covered in dark chocolate (without the salmon, of course)
I could understand someone not liking the texture but if the flavor was bad you might have gotten a bad batch. I’ve had them from Hawaii and they are indeed food of the gods.
I first tasted a macadamia in Hawaii and thought I was in heaven. Well, yes, I was but it was still divinely delicious. I’ve been hooked ever since, but unless you get the fresh roasted macadamias in cans, you’re not getting the true bliss that is macadamia. I’ve bought the almond cashew macadamia mix and it’s good but they’re still best just on their own from a tin.
My wife occasionally buys some all-natural nut mixes that include macadamia nuts. I wish I knew the brand, the are as good as the ones I first had in Hawaii back in my Navy days.
Definitely NOT a mutant. They’re edible, I guess, but one of my least favorites. The texture is all wrong, and I’m not even fond of the flavor. The only nuts I’ve had that are worse are walnuts and pecans.
I’m pretty sure it’s the texture. Too soft when chewing, much too soft. If I just let the chewed remains sit on my tongue afterwards, the taste itself isn’t bad.
I don’t think I’ll be eating them much in the future, though. Texture is an important part of my food experience.
Yes! I thought that was just me! And the worst walnuts are the crushed remnants that every place puts on sundaes. I wish more places had peanuts to put on the sundaes.
Well of course Hollywood has lied to you every chance it gets.
But not really about macadamias. It’s just a matter of taste. Although putting them up there as the pinacle of nuts is just so much snobishness. Which I suppose is what Hollywood is going for when then mention them.
I say go for the cashews. Or even the lowly peanut.
You just got the wrong brand. Planter’s dry roasts and salts the heck out of their nuts. Shell out 7 or 8 bucks and get the Mauna Loa brand. They’re the largest producer of macadamias and know how to treat them right.
Or get raw macadamias from a health food or yuppie grocery store. Sometimes they’ll have them in bulk so you can get only a few ounces if you want and won’t have to shell out too much money. You can eat 'em just like that or try warming them in an oven at 300 degrees for five or ten minutes. Any kind of nut tastes better when their oils get all happy in the heat. Salt them if you want.
I like the texture of macadamias. It’s along the line of water chestnuts but firmer.
Personally, I have little love for almonds and think they’ve been way overdone. Especially in ice cream. An almond is a hard nut and when it’s frozen, it’s even harder. Having to chew them up ruins the whole sweet, creamy ice cream experience for me.
Cashews are still the best though, with macadamias and walnuts close behind. But I wouldn’t turn down peanuts, Brazil nuts or hazel nuts either.
