Macadamia nuts vs. Hazelnuts - What's the difference?

Macadamia nuts and hazelnuts are two small round nuts that are creamy, rich and gently crunchy, but that’s where their similarities end.

So what is the difference between macadamia nuts and hazelnuts? If we take a closer look at macadamia nuts vs. hazelnuts, the main differences are taste, texture, usage, nutritional value, and price. 

In this article, we will examine each of these areas and point out the main characteristics that define each nut so that you understand all the differences between them.

Macadamia nuts and hazelnuts

Here is a detailed guide on the differences between macadamia nuts and hazelnuts. We’ve included a chart summarizing the most important points later in the article, so be sure to keep reading!

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are native to Australia, but are best known for growing in Hawaii, which is where our favorite macadamia nuts come from.

You can also find these trees in other tropical climates, such as Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Brazil.

The trees are slow growing, which is surprising for a tropical plant, but they can take up to 10 years to produce nuts.

Because they only grow in very specific climates other than the continental North America, macadamia nuts command a high price.

In fact, they are the most expensive nuts in the world.

The easiest way to get them is to order them online. You can find them in supermarkets, but you will have to pay a higher markup on an already expensive item.

What do macadamia nuts taste like?

If ever a nut can be called decadent, it would be macadamia nuts. When you bite into one, it’s almost like biting into solid, creamy butter, only without the unpleasant experience of eating butter.

These nuts are slightly sweet, incredibly tasty, especially when lightly salted, and very addictive.

benefits of macadamia nuts

Aside from their pure bliss taste, macadamia nuts aren’t generally considered to be much of a health benefit, with the notable exception of the high-fat keto community.

With about 23 grams of fat per 30-gram serving, they can help boost a keto dieter’s macros.

The fat in macadamia nuts is monounsaturated, which has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and help balance blood glucose levels, both important factors for weight management and heart health.

Of course, like most plants, Macadamia nuts have a varied nutritional profile that includes vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; however, calorie for calorie, the concentration is very low compared to many other optional sources.

The key to enjoying the benefits of Macadamia nuts without going overboard and putting your health at risk is moderation. A serving is about 10-12 nuts, possibly less depending on whether they are raw, salted, roasted, etc.

Popular uses for macadamia nuts

Eating them by the handful from the bag is probably the most common method of consuming macadamia nuts because even if you plan to cook with them, they are very hard to resist and will tempt you to eat half the bag before the baking is done.

They are also often combined with white chocolate in cookies. Coconut is another popular flavor combination, but they make delicious additions to almost any baked good.

Sweet recipes are by far the most popular use for macadamia nuts, but you can also include them in some savory recipes. Our favorites are:

• Adding macadamia nuts to hummus intensifies the creaminess on several levels
• Macadamia nuts create a delicious and smooth vegan nut cheese
• Chopped and added to add texture to creamy soups or pasta sauces
• Crushed and mixed with olives to make a creamy and savory tapenade for crackers or toasted baguettes
• As a breading for fish or chicken

hazelnuts

Depending on where you live, you may call hazelnuts filberts or cobnuts.

Regardless of the name, they are plucked from the Corylus tree, native to Asia, though they are now found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

This is a highly disease resistant tree, thriving without the need for pesticides or heavy fertilizers.

Fun fact: They grow like a tree, with a single main stem or trunk, or like a bush, depending on how you trim them.

They start bearing nuts in as little as 4 years, although the flavor varies greatly depending on the quality of the tree, and European walnuts have been carefully cultivated for optimum flavor for generations, making them the most prized variety.

Describing the taste of nuts as anything other than a nut can be difficult, but hazelnuts have a distinctly earthy flavor.

However, because its texture is so creamy, that earthiness melts into something more buttery as soon as you start to chew.

how to eat hazelnuts

You can eat hazelnuts in almost any way you can think of. If you pick one from a tree, you’ll need a nutcracker or hammer to crush the shell.

They also have a smooth, papery skin that you’ll want to remove. Of course, you can also buy them shelled and skinless.

You can eat them raw, toasted, mixed with other nuts, chopped and added to your cooking or baking, or even candied if you prefer.

Most popular recipes with hazelnuts

By far the most popular recipe that calls for hazelnuts is Nutella or an alternative chocolate hazelnut spread.

The next most popular recipe is any baked good that includes Nutella or an alternative chocolate hazelnut spread in its ingredient list.

In addition to being paired with chocolate or vanilla, hazelnut is delicious when paired with fruit, some earthy and hot spices like chipotle or paprika.

It is also very useful when ground and used as a tasty alternative to boring all-purpose flour for breading meats or vegetables.

Some of our favorite recipes and ways to use hazelnuts are

• Raw and chopped hazelnuts in the salad
• Using hazelnuts instead of pine nuts in pesto
• Chopped hazelnuts that are cooked with grains like quinoa, rice, or even oats
• Toasted, crushed and sprinkled over a rich and creamy pasta dish
• Added to brown butter and used to sauce anything
• Whole Raw Chocolate Covered Hazelnuts
• Hazelnut and chocolate glaze with coffee
• hazelnut and caramel ice cream
• Using chopped hazelnut pieces instead of walnuts in brownies

hazelnut nutrition

It’s undeniable that hazelnuts pack a lot of calories for a small serving of just 30 grams, but there are plenty of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy components to be found within every 175 calories you consume.

They’re a decent source of protein, at about 4 grams per serving, though they’re also high in fat, at 17 grams.

However, it is unsaturated fat, and hazelnuts have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels, making them a heart-healthy choice. They can also lower blood sugar levels, helping to control weight even though they are high in fat.

They’re a great source of vitamin E, which helps keep your skin looking young and vibrant, among other things.

Hazelnuts also have a wide variety of antioxidants that can help with everything from reducing chronic inflammation to fighting cancer.

As with almost all natural, plant-based foods, they can be a very healthy addition to your diet, but they should be eaten in moderation and with close attention to portion sizes.

Macadamia nuts vs. Hazelnuts - The main differences

Below is the table we promised which shows the main and most important differences between macadamia nuts and hazelnuts.

Related questions

What are the best nuts for protein?

Most nuts are a decent way to add extra protein to your daily routine, but some have a higher protein/calorie ratio.

Peanuts top the list , although they are technically a legume and not a nut.

Almonds are a very close second. Between the two, you’ll get between 6 and 8 grams of protein per 30-gram serving.

Closer to 4 grams of protein per 30 gram serving you can choose from any of the following: hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, or even pine nuts.

What are the worst nuts to eat?

The definition of worse depends largely on the context.

For example, the worst nut to eat if you’re on a low-fat diet would be the Macadamia nut, but it’s praised for being high in fat if you’re on a keto diet instead. They are not very good either because they are cheap.

Lately, peanuts have entered “worst nut” lists due to quality control issues. They very easily develop a fungus that is undetectable to taste, but which is related to an increased risk of certain cancers.

Horse chestnuts , which are not actually related to chestnuts, have a very dangerous toxin that can cause paralysis, so they would certainly be one of the worst nuts to eat.

How common is allergy to hazelnuts?

Hazelnut allergy is one of the most common nut allergies, although it is usually not very serious.

The reason it is so common is that many people who suffer from hay fever, or more specifically, birch pollen allergies, will also find that they are sensitive to hazelnuts. They are likely to experience symptoms similar to those of hay fever: itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose.

However, for others who experience a more nut-like allergy, it can be more severe, leading to anaphylaxis, requiring immediate and urgent medical attention.