2017 has seen a solid line up of new product innovations featuring macadamias as an ingredient. It has been exciting to see the array of ways product developers have embraced macadamias, and the broad range of categories these innovations have appeared in, with products that speak to indulgence, wellbeing, and everything in between.
We’ve scoured the globe to come up with 15 of the best macadamia product innovations of the past 12 months. Take a look at our list of winners.
Snacking
BESTORE GOLDEN FRIED MACADAMIAS (China)
Take quality macadamia kernel, coat it in a crispy layer of flour and sugar, and prepare to sell out fast. That was the experience of Bestore, one of China’s top snack brands, with the launch of its golden fried macadamias. The product’s popularity has skyrocketed, with stock sold out everywhere, both online and offline. A truly unique macadamia innovation that Chinese consumers can’t get enough of.
O’TREE MACADAMIA HOLIC SNACK NUTS (South Korea)
As reported last month, South Korean food brand O’Tree recently launched a new range of flavoured macadamias called Macadamia Holic, in conjunction with South Korea’s leading home shopping network. Macadamia Holic is available in two flavour variants – Truffle and Maple, as well as a classic unflavoured option.
BARENUTS LEMON MYRTLE MACADAMIAS (Australia)
Earlier this year we shared the story of Barenuts macadamia products, the range of Jodie Cameron, who is one half of an Australian macadamia growing couple. Barenuts Lemon Myrtle macadamias are a simple, yet highly popular product, and this year they captured the attention (and tastebuds) of the judges at the 2017 Australian Food Awards, taking out the gold medal with a perfect score.
Bakery
OB FINEST APRICOT & MACADAMIA SPECIALTY CRACKERS (Australia)
These super-crisp crackers have struck a chord with food enthusiasts who love to entertain. Baked in small batches by artisan bakers, the apricot and macadamia flavour combination makes them a great accompaniment to cheese and dips, as well as a tasty snacking option.
Ice cream
HÄAGEN DAZS & MAISON KAYSER COLLABORATION (Japan)
A fabulous collaboration in Japan this year saw iconic ice cream brand Häagen Dazs open a pop-up store with French bakery Maison Kayser for 3 weeks, with queues of people lined up every day. A limited-time ice cream and bakery menu matched macadamia ice cream with cacao bread, with the bread acting as a boat-like vessel for the choc-chip topped scoops of ice cream. Delicious!
Confectionery
BÂTON D’OR LA RECOLTE CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PRETZELS (Japan)
Picture a rich buttery pretzel stick dipped in premium chocolate and sprinkled with fruit and nuts, and you have Baton D’Or La Récolte, the latest offering from Japanese food manufacturer Ezaki Glico. Released in two flavours, including Macadamia & Orange, this unique and gift-worthy treat is available in packs of 8 pretzels, boxed in premium black packaging.
Breakfast
CASINO L’EXTRAORDINAIRE MUESLI (France)
This private label product from major French retailer Casino combines oat chocolate flakes with macadamias, other nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds and whole wheat, to create a gourmet breakfast experience.
Sports nutrition
SOYJOY CRISPY WHITE MACADAMIA (Japan)
Soyjoy is a nutrition energy bar made from soy protein mixed with a range of other nutritious ingredients. The White Macadamia variant is one of 12 in the range which is low GI, gluten free and contains no preservatives. The range is manufactured by Otsuka Seiyaku, a pharmaceutical company that has branched out into nutraceutical products, with a focus on functional food and beverages that help maintain wellbeing.
PURITION MACADAMIA & VANILLA WHOLEFOOD PROTEIN SHAKE (UK)
This wholefood protein powder is said to contain “all-clean ingredients” and is described as “an ideal breakfast, lunch or post-workout shake to nourish, cleanse and energise your healthy eating and exercise regime.”
Alcohol
BROOKIE’S BYRON DRY GIN (Australia)
In one of our first innovation stories for 2017, we profiled the launch of Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin. The brainchild of Eddie Brook, the son of Australian macadamia producers Pam and Martin Brook, Brookie’s is an odyssey of rainforest flavours that combines unique botanical ingredients from the Byron Bay hinterland – including macadamias. While the macadamias give the gin a distinctive shortbread-like flavour, they’re also critical to the overall result, as it’s the macadamias’ oil that carries all the other botanical flavours. A great Aussie innovation story!
Chilled goods
BOTANICAL CUISINE ORGANIC PERSIAN STYLE MACADAMIA FETA (New Zealand)
While the Australian Macadamias recipe collection contains a macadamia feta recipe for consumers to make at home, this is one of the first times it’s been produced commercially. Described as “rich, creamy and perfect for salads, gourmet sandwiches and cheese platters,” this dairy-free alternative is also sugar free, gluten free and low GI. A great option for health-conscious consumers.
Beauty
JINDILLI LIME-BLOSSOM BODY SCRUB AND WALKABOUT FOOT SCRUB (Australia)
Featuring cold pressed macadamia oil sourced from sustainably grown trees, these latest additions to the Jindilli macadamia skin care line replenish the skin leaving it soft and hydrated.
PURE NUT (Australia)
As reported earlier this year, Australian macadamia growers Ann and Andrew Leslie created a range of macadamia skin care with premium quality Australian macadamia oil as the hero ingredient. The brand is going from strength to strength with distribution growing at an impressive pace, and the recent launch of two new products targeting men – Man Oil and a shaving / cleansing soap.
BY U PROTECTIVE LIP BALM (France)
A protective lip treatment enriched with macadamia oil and shea butter, this lip balm has a cherry and almond taste and moisturises, softens and protects dry lips. By U is a private label product owned by SYSTEME U, a retailers’ cooperative comprising around 800 independent supermarkets and hypermarkets in France.
GARNIER FRUCTIS HAIR CARE (France)
Global skin and hair care brand Garnier launched multiple product lines using macadamia oil, including Nutri Beurre, a fortifying range, and Ultra Doux, combining coconut and macadamia oil. The shampoos, conditioners and hair cream masks, are said to contain nourishing and strengthening active ingredients that won’t leave hair greasy, with macadamia oil included for its “exceptional nourishing benefits.”
Do you have a story or need a supplier?
We’re looking forward to showcasing more great macadamia product innovations in 2018. If you have a product you would like us to profile, please get in touch with Lynne Ziehlke and let us know.
If you’re planning a new product and are considering macadamias as an ingredient, there has never been a better time to invest in this amazingly versatile product, with global production set to rise over the coming years. If you need any information or support feel free to contact Lynne Ziehlke or visit our suppliers page.
