The macadamia innovation space has been fascinating in recent years, and 2019 was no exception. We have spent the past few months poring over all the new products we have discovered throughout the year that use macadamias in unique ways in food and beverage categories across a host of markets.
This year we noted exciting new snack uses, the continued growth of dairy alternatives, the emergence of nut butters, major brands calling out Australian origin, new market expansion of an iconic macadamia product, lots of new offerings in China, and several products that are using macadamias in ground-breaking new ways.
Our commitment to supporting those brands and businesses eager to invest in our product is as strong as ever, and we are delighted to unveil the most exciting macadamia innovations of 2019!
New snack uses
Naak Coco Macadamia Cricket Energy Bites (Canada)
This unique Canadian offering combined two superfoods – macadamias and crickets. Promoted as ‘sustainable protein’, cricket powder is said to be an eco-friendly protein that uses 2000 times less water, 13 times less land and 12 times less feed to produce than beef. An ideal snack pre, during and post exercise.
Kettle Popcorn Sensations White Chocolate, Macadamia and Coconut (Australia)
This indulgent creation combines popcorn with white chocolate, macadamias and coconut. Passionate about creating great tasting popcorn, Kettle have combined their light and crispy popcorn with “deliciously crunchy ingredients and some very yummy toppings” to produce a “truly decadent treat that will surely delight.”
Nature’s Garden Keto Snack Mix (USA)
Specially designed for people following the keto diet, this snack mix combines cheddar cheese puffs, almonds, pepitas, pecans and macadamia nuts, and is part of the Nature’s Garden ‘Snack with a Purpose’ range.
Popsalot Hawaiian Macadamia Caramel Corn (USA)
This air-popped deluxe macadamia nut butter infused popcorn is created by simmering bourbon vanilla, brown sugar and a touch of fresh butter, then infusing the caramel with macadamia nut butter and folding in popcorn and roasted macadamias before finishing with a slow bake.
Dairy alternatives continue to grow
Kikkoman Tounyu Soy Macadamia Drink (Japan)
A soybean beverage blended with macadamia nut paste creates a rich and creamy taste, ideal as a snack or dessert. It can also be enjoyed frozen as a dairy-free ice treat.
Be & Cheery Assorted Nut Vegetable Protein Beverage (China)
This sweet single serve beverage is made from a combination of nut milks including macadamia, with cranberry and blueberry juice concentrate.
Modest Mylk – Unsweetened Macadamia Mylk Base (USA)
Produced as a paste format in a glass jar, just a spoonful blended with 16oz of water produces macadamia milk that’s ready to enjoy in smoothies, coffee and tea, over cereal, in cooking and baking recipes, or just as is.
Maccaca Ca Phe Sau Rieng Voi Hat Macca: Instant Durian Coffee with Macadamia Nuts (Vietnam)
Convenient stick sachets containing instant coffee made from a unique blend of the popular Southeast Asian durian fruit and macadamia nuts.
Nut butters emerging
SuperFat Keto Nut Butter: Macadamia MCT + Probiotics (USA)
Macadamia nut butter packed with plant-based fats, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), and probiotics said to support gut, metabolism, and brain function. Packaged in a convenient take-anywhere pouch, macadamias also feature in other SuperFat variants – Macadamia Coconut, Protein, Cacao Coconut, Coffee + MCT, and their limited edition festive variety Cacao Mint.
Wild Friends Almond Macadamia Be Well Blend (USA)
Wild Friends make “delicious, sugar-free, oil-free, keto-friendly nut butters that are the perfect addition to your meals”. Their Almond Macadamia Butter is smooth and creamy and ideal for use in smoothies.
Fat Fit Go Premium Chocolate Keto Nut Butter (USA)
Featuring macadamias, almonds, cocoa and cinnamon, this product promises to be ‘your favourite keto snack.’ Its unique pack is designed to be the perfect travel companion, with the indent ensuring consumption straight from the pack is easy and comfortable. Can also be used as a topping or smoothie ingredient.
Fitjars Almond Butter with Macadamia Nuts (India)
Fitjars is “an innovative food and health start-up” from India with an extensive range of spreads, milks and granola. Their vegan Almond butter with Macadamia Nuts is made “by roasting premium quality almond and macadamia nuts – and nothing else”.
Major brands call out Australian origin
Nuii Ice Cream Adventure Salted Caramel and Australian Macadamia Ice Cream Bars (France)
A new offering from Froneri, these vanilla ice cream sticks combine with salted caramel sauce, milk chocolate coating and caramelized macadamia pieces. The packaging and promotion centres heavily on Australia. The brand’s Facebook page says, “Famous for its koalas, iconic kangaroos and enchanting landscapes, Australia offers a privileged setting for the majestic tree on which the macadamia nut grows.”
Magnum Macadamia Salted Caramel and Magnum Macadamia Coconut (Australia, Malaysia, Singapore)
Two new macadamia varieties were launched with Australian origin flagged on front of pack and promotional campaigns for both delicious variants. When the Salted Caramel variant launched in Singapore in May, the General Manager of Unilever Singapore said, “Magnum believes that not all pleasures are equal. In the pursuit of an indulgent experience that is meaningful, superior, and true to pleasure, our Magnum chocolatiers have taken the best nature has to offer to take our signature velvety ice-cream, coated in cracking chocolate, up a notch.”
New market expansion of iconic macadamia product
Häagen-Dazs has produced countless ice cream flavours since it first launched in the 1960s, and one that has become an iconic variety for the brand is Macadamia Nut Brittle.
2019 saw Häagen-Dazs Macadamia Nut Brittle expand into numerous new markets in a variety of formats. According to Innova Market Insights, tubs were expanded to Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Peru, Portugal, Belgium and Czech Republic, while sticks and mini tubs were imported to Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Egypt, Italy and Spain.
In addition to this we saw new products launched in Japan (limited edition Crunchy Crunch Salted Caramel Macadamia stick ice cream and Chocolate Creamy Cone with Macadamias), and France (Macadamia Nut Brittle mini sticks and Macadamia Nut Brittle Obsessions Collection mini cups and tub).
New products and brands in China
While flavoured in-shell continues to be the dominant format in this market, including new and refreshed offerings from Bestore and Three Squirrels, innovation in other formats has started to appear as well, signalling consumer willingness to try new incarnations of macadamias. Stand-outs include Efieler Assorted Nougat, Meixin Snowy Mini Four Mooncakes (chocolate and macadamia variety), and Matchall Matcha White Chocolate Coated Macadamias.
The launch of Tian Xing Long Daily Nuts and Berries is an example of increasing use of kernel in mixed daily nuts, with this product combining macadamias, walnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios with dried cranberries, cherries and blueberries.
Ground-breakers
We end this year’s list by tipping our hats to those products we feel are breaking new ground with macadamias.
Bloom Organic Baby Cereal (Australia)
The Brookfarm team has again come up with a fresh and exciting macadamia product with the launch of their Bloom Organic Baby Cereal. The range introduces tree nuts to children in small quantities and is the first breakfast cereal for infants to do so. Made with only the best natural ingredients, all three variants introduce just a touch of fine ground organic tree nuts including macadamias in a nourishing blend of organic wholegrains. Containing no added sugar or preservatives, it’s available in Smooth Banana, Smooth Pear, and Apple & Carrot.
Gelista Lemon Myrtle Macadamia with Toasted Coconut Gelato (Australia)
Premium Gelati and Ice-Cream maker, Gelista, has released this innovative new flavour just in time for the Australian summer 2019/20. Gelista aims to indulge their customers by sourcing ingredients with “Terroir” – a distinctive sense of place and quality. This flavour is set to appeal to lemon gelato lovers with pure lemon myrtle harvested from the Australian Northern Rivers region, combined with Australian Sunshine Coast macadamias and toasted coconut. The result is said to be “the modern flavour of the Australian summer.”
Straw Propeller Organic Macadamia Coconut Grainless Cereal (USA)
It’s cereal, but not as you know it. With not a grain in sight, this delicious combination of macadamias, coconut and seeds offers a keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, vegan and gluten free breakfast that can be enjoyed with nut or coconut milk.
The Nu Company Nucao Macadamia Chai (Germany)
Nucao bars claim to be ‘chocolate reinvented’ and the Macadamia Chai variant is a “melt-in-the-mouth chocolate bar made with hemp seed, acerola, macadamias and chai”. With a high nutrient density, no refined sugar, and plastic-free packaging it’s produced sustainably with a social mission. For every product sold, a tree is planted.
Know something we don’t?
We are always eager to learn about new product launches involving macadamias. If you have something in the pipeline, let us know. We will be scouting for contenders for our 2020 list from January onwards.
If you’re looking for an Australian macadamia supplier to assist with your innovation plans, head to our Suppliers Directory. To access exclusive consumer insights to help support the use of macadamias in your product development strategy, simply email Australian Macadamias General Manager Marketing, Lynne Ziehlke.
