Macadamia innovation showed real momentum in 2025. Across the 12 months to the end of September, brands around the world launched 735 new products featuring macadamias, an increase of almost 20% on the previous period. China led the activity at 14.4% of launches, followed by Australia at 11% and South Korea at 7.5%, according to Mintel GNPD. It was a year that demonstrated just how broadly, creatively and confidently manufacturers are using Australia’s native nut.
Most launches (70%) were entirely new products or new varieties and range extensions, with the balance comprising relaunches, reformulations or updated packaging. By category, snacking continued to dominate at 55% of all launches, followed by confectionery (chocolate, sugar and gum) at 17% and bakery at 9%.
Each year we explore this activity to uncover how brands are harnessing macadamias in new and interesting ways. From mochi and matcha to tea and black truffle, here’s a snapshot of the products that made 2025 such an impressive year for macadamia innovation.
Frozen treats a hotbed of innovation
Ice cream, gelato and frozen desserts delivered some of the most inventive uses of macadamias this year, with brands exploring formats and flavour combinations that spotlight the nut’s creaminess and crunch.
La Compagnie Du Mochi Macadamia Mochi With Melting Caramel Filling (France)
Vanilla ice cream flecked with macadamias and a molten caramel centre are wrapped in a thin vanilla rice layer. The result is a creamy, chewy mochi with a gentle macadamia crunch.
Baskin Robbins Matchadamia Ice Cream (South Korea)
As matcha continues its rise in global and Korean markets, Baskin Robbins has paired it with macadamias to create a layered, indulgent flavour. With bittersweet matcha, creamy mascarpone and a gentle nutty crunch, it feels both familiar and fresh. Notably, the concept originated from a consumer submission in the brand’s annual flavour contest.
Messina × Brookfarm ‘Good Morning Honey’ Gelato (Australia)
To celebrate Brookfarm’s 25th birthday, the brand partnered with Messina to blend honey gelato with Toasted Macadamia Muesli as a limited time offering. The result: a creamy, crunchy anytime treat that playfully blurs the line between breakfast and dessert.
Bokhodu Nutty Yoghurt-Ball (South Korea)
A frozen interpretation of the classic ‘hodugwaja’, this uplevelled version swaps walnuts for macadamias and pairs them with tangy yoghurt cream inside soft nutty pastry for a lighter, modern twist.
Pâtisserie Francis Donna Cake Gelato Hazelnut Caramel × Roasted Macadamias (Taiwan)
Pâtisserie Francis is known in Taiwan for its premium pastries including the Donna Cake, filled with hazelnut caramel cream, salt-roasted macadamias and dried berries. In summer 2025, it inspired a limited-edition gelato that drew directly from the cake’s signature elements, delivering an irresistible creamy-meets-crunchy indulgence.
Bakery serves up fresh ideas
Macadamias showed impressive versatility across bakery in 2025, appearing in breads, pastries and better-for-you items that highlight both texture and nutrition.
Entre Grãos Chia & Macadamia Wholegrain Bread (Brazil)
This wholegrain loaf brings macadamias into the everyday bread aisle, adding gentle nutty notes and texture while positioning the product as a fibre-rich, low-sugar choice for the health-conscious consumer.
NoFunShop Passionfruit Soft Cake (China)
A chewy soft cake combining sweet-sour passionfruit and whole macadamias for added crunch in a compact and convenient format. Fun, fruity and ready to eat.
Nuldam High-Protein Low-Sugar Strawberry Macadamia Whole Wheat Scone (South Korea)
Strawberry pieces and macadamias add natural sweetness and texture to this whole-wheat scone aimed at consumers seeking a ‘proper scone’ experience with better-for-you credentials.
Famimaru Bakery Macadamia & Chocolate Whipped Cream Malasada (Japan)
FamilyMart’s private-label bakery reimagined the Hawaiian malasada for a limited summer run, filling the doughnut-style pastry with a decadent macadamia chocolate whip for a creamy, nutty twist.
Twosome Place Macadamia Chocolate Ganache Cake (South Korea)
Showcased at Twosome’s premium Gangnam store, this geometric, art-like cake combines soft sponge with a macadamia-infused chocolate ganache. Bold to look at and indulgent to eat.
Nogami × Godiva Chocolate Macadamia Bread (Japan)
This limited-edition loaf combines ultra-soft ‘nama shokupan’ (milk-style bread) with Belgian chocolate and crushed macadamias for aromatic crunch and a rich chocolate swirl.
Bel Butter Waffle Macadamia Vanilla Waffles (Japan)
Released as a limited summer treat, this waffle from a brand dedicated to going beyond the ordinary pairs a vanilla-infused batter with baked-in macadamias and a white chocolate finish for a surprising textural twist.
Caica Macadamia And Orange Chocolate Florentine (Japan)
A crisp cocoa cookie base, a smooth, orange-scented white chocolate centre and caramelised macadamia tuile packed with both finely chopped and whole macadamias create a layered, modern take on the florentine.
Bold flavour pairings emerge across categories
Brands embraced macadamias in creative flavour pairings this year, reinforcing their versatility across sweet, savoury and spicy formats.
China’s Black Truffle Macadamia Moment
Several launches from China signalled a growing fascination with pairing macadamias and black truffle. Standouts included Aldi Delight Black Truffle Wasabi Flavour Macadamia Kernels, Rest A Moment Astragalus Root and Black Truffle Flavoured Macadamia Nuts, and Shan Li Ren’s Black Truffle Ham Flavour Macadamia Nuts. The nuts’ creamy richness complements truffle’s earthy, aromatic character for a layered umami profile.
Mauna Loa’s Dill Pickle Dry Roasted Macadamias (USA)
A tangy blend of dill and garlic adds bright sharpness to dry roasted macadamias, creating a flavour profile that feels both playful and on-trend within the US snacking landscape.
Spar Signature Selection Coriander & Jalapeno Pesto (South Africa)
A small-batch pesto that blends coriander, jalapeno and macadamias for heat, body and nuttiness. Positioned as a versatile kitchen shortcut, it can be tossed through pasta and finished with parmesan for an easy dish with a spicy kick.
Pietro Pattofutte Fried Onion & Nut Topping (Japan)
This versatile topping blends 100% Japanese fried onions with macadamias, almonds and seeds to deliver a deeply savoury crunch. A simple way to add texture and richness to salads, soups and pasta.
House Of Macadamias Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts With Zesty Salsa Flavour (Canada)
Vegan, keto and paleo, this zesty snack dusts dry roasted macadamia nuts with a blend of tomato seasoning, parsley and cayenne pepper. The tangy, savoury profile with a gentle heat plays well against the buttery quality of the macadamias.
Sweet dreams: macadamias shine in confectionery
Macadamias had a strong showing in confectionery, appearing in regionally inspired flavours, premium collaborations and festive creations.
More Macadamia Magic From Meiji
Meiji continued its macadamia momentum ahead of its fiftieth anniversary in 2026. Three limited-edition releases showcased the brand’s flair for pairing roasted macadamias with distinctive Japanese ingredients: Premium Butter & Caramel (March), a rich blend of cultured butter and caramel wrapped around macadamia nuts, Salty Vanilla (June), combining white chocolate, vanilla seeds and Okinawan salt; and Okinawa Brown Sugar (September), featuring rare kokutou for a deep, rounded sweetness.
Now On Cheese – Cheese & Macadamia Chocolate (Japan)
A playful twist on sweet-salty snacking, this limited edition offering pairs crunchy candied macadamias with a rich cheddar-chocolate coating, and a dusting of maple sugar, creating an unexpectedly moreish bite.
Freshippo Passionfruit Mango Macadamia Soft Candy (China)
Tropical flavours meet creamy crunch in this chewy soft candy. Each individually wrapped piece contains real mango and passionfruit with macadamia pieces – a fresh, fruity confection with a satisfying textural twist.
Whittaker’s Blueberry & Macadamia Chocolate (New Zealand)
Whittaker’s puts a fresh spin on white chocolate with this bright, textural mix of roasted macadamias and blueberry pieces. Buttery crunch meets bursts of berry sweetness in the brand’s famously smooth 28% cocoa white chocolate – a standout release from a beloved Kiwi chocolatier.
Coco88 Macadamia Kataifi Christmas Tree (Australia)
This exquisite festive take on the Dubai chocolate trend features a shimmering gold shell encasing a lush filling of macadamia-studded kataifi. Delivering buttery crunch and delicate pastry strands in every bite, it’s a beautifully crafted luxurious holiday treat.
Ferrero Rocher Macadamia & Hazelnut Milk Chocolate (Multiple markets)
This iconic hazelnut chocolate brand this year invited macadamias into the mix, launching its Macadamia and Hazelnut Milk Chocolate bar into several markets. Pairing crunchy hazelnut pieces with a luxurious macadamia cream filling and smooth milk chocolate, it’s a multi-textural milk chocolate journey.
Other notable mentions
Not everything fits neatly into a category, but these innovations with their imaginative uses of macadamias were too good to leave off the list.
Three Squirrels Cheng Zhang Fang Zhou Kids Blueberry Dha Prebiotic Nut Crisps (China)
Three Squirrels’ Cheng Zhang Fang Zhou range focuses on child-friendly nutrition. Made with nine nuts and seeds -including macadamias – these limited edition nut crisps contain added DHA and prebiotics to support growing bodies. A a convenient snack that’s both delicious and reassuringly wholesome for children.
Tracy Kefir Kale Macadamia Kefir Probiotic Chips (Vietnam)
Freeze-dried kefir and kale combine with macadamias to deliver a functional chip with five probiotics and prebiotics. Macadamias add good fats linked to heart health, contributing to a lactose-friendly snack for everyday wellbeing.
Hiwalk Nut-Filled Egg Roll (Taiwan)
A thick, crispy egg roll shell gives way to a luxurious homemade nut butter that includes Australian macadamias. Blended for a smooth, creamy finish, the filling offers a rich nutty aroma lifted by a gentle hint of Earl Grey.
Danongwon Macadamia Ginger And Macadamia Sweet Pumpkin Teas (South Korea)
These single-serve teas combine the natural creaminess of macadamias with warm, nourishing flavours. Ginger delivers a spicy lift while sweet pumpkin offers gentle, soothing comfort.
Need a supplier or technical guidance?
Australia has a trusted network of bulk macadamia suppliers. If you’re looking for assistance with your 2026 product development plans, head to our supplier directory to find an organisation to fulfil your needs.
For technical guidelines and access to fully tested macadamia product concepts, explore our technical resources.
