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Locally Grown Macadamia Nuts Shown To Be Good For Health

Those wanting a health boost should look at macadamia nuts grown in Aotearoa New Zealand as an option.

A preliminary analysis of Torere Macadamias nuts, grown in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, have shown they have promising concentrations of three key nutrients – vitamin C, vitamin B6 and selenium – more than macadamias compared in this project that were grown overseas. The analysis also shows that the vitamin B6 found in Torere Macadamias nuts reached the concentration known to be good for a range of health benefits, including combatting tiredness and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

In addition to vitamin B6, several micro-nutrients are at concentrations shown to have positive health benefits, including a good source of manganese (for bone and joint health) and a source of magnesium (for bone and oral health, and for the brain and nervous system) and dietary fibre (for digestive health). Torere Macadamias nuts were also found to be low in sodium and cholesterol, and free from trans fatty acids.

The analysis of six varieties of Torere Macadamias nuts, funded by the High-Value Nutrition National Science (HVN) Challenge, was conducted for inclusion in the New Zealand Food Composition Database, managed by Plant & Food Research and jointly owned by the Ministry of Health.

“Knowing what nutrients are at dietary significant quantities in foods allows consumers to choose a diet personalised to meet the criteria of importance to them,” says Dr Carolyn Lister from Plant & Food Research. “Having high concentrations of nutrients known to be good for health also allows companies to highlight these nutrients in the marketing of their products, giving them way to stand out against competitors.”

Torere Macadamias will use the information to support expansion of their product range, and are planning to launch a new marketing campaign to maximise and highlight the high nutrient value of their macadamias in early 2023.

“Torere Macadamias nuts are reputably the biggest and best tasting in the world, and knowing more about them is useful for both consumers looking for healthy choices and for growers looking to potentially incorporate macadamias into their own orchards,” says Vanessa Hayes from Torere Macadamias. “This analysis of six of our best performing varieties, based on thirty years of research trials, provides validation for these varieties being the base of New Zealand’s macadamia industry’s future growth, with an aim of 1,000 hectares by 2029.”

“It was important to HVN to fund this work and support an emerging industry in New Zealand.” says Joanne Todd, Director of the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge “The research has the potential to give New Zealand-grown macadamia a competitive advantage.”

Torere Macadamias are also contributors to He Rourou Whai Painga, a study funded by HVN to show that eating a pattern of high quality, predominantly New Zealand-produced food and beverages offers health benefits to consumers and their families.

Original Article: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC2211/S00047/locally-grown-macadamia-nuts-shown-to-be-good-for-health.htm

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Locally grown macadamia nuts have more health benefits than those grown overseas

New research shows macadamia nuts grown in the Eastern Bay of Plenty hold their own internationally.

Plant & Food Research looked into the nutritional value of six varieties grown by Torere Macadamias.

A preliminary analysis, funded by the High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, found the nuts have a higher concentration of vitamin C, B6 and selenium than macadamias grown overseas.

And it showed the vitamin B6 found in the macadamias reached the concentration known to be good for a range of health benefits, including combating tiredness and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Torere Macadamias’ general manager Vanessa Hayes said the findings validate 35 years of work she has done to figure out the best six varieties to grow in New Zealand.

“Torere Macadamias nuts are reputably the biggest and best tasting in the world, and knowing more about them is useful for both consumers looking for healthy choices and for growers looking to potentially incorporate macadamias into their own orchards,” she said.

“This analysis of six of our best performing varieties, based on thirty years of research trials, provides validation for these varieties being the base of New Zealand’s macadamia industry’s future growth, with an aim of 1000 hectares by 2029.”

The analysis also found the macadamias had concentrations of several micro-nutrients that have been shown to have positive health benefits, including manganese, magnesium and dietary fibre.

Torere Macadamias nuts were also found to be low in sodium and cholesterol, and free from trans fatty acids.

Hayes put the nutritional value of the nuts down to a few factors.

“Because we grow organically, I don’t know of any other country that can do it as easily as New Zealand, and our soils and environment and our high UV levels intensify the flavour of our food, not just macadamias, but all food that we grow.”

Torere Macadamias’ orchard spans nine hectares, with a 50,000 plant nursery over another two hectares.

Dr Carolyn Lister from Plant & Food Research said the information was useful for customers.

“Knowing what nutrients are at dietary significant quantities in foods allows consumers to choose a diet personalised to meet the criteria of importance to them,” she said.

“Having high concentrations of nutrients known to be good for health also allows companies to highlight these nutrients in the marketing of their products, giving them way to stand out against competitors.”

Director of the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge Joanne Todd said it was important for the group to fund the research and support the emerging macadamia industry.

“The research has the potential to give New Zealand-grown macadamia a competitive advantage,” she said.

Original article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/479640/locally-grown-macadamia-nuts-have-more-health-benefits-than-those-grown-overseas

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Nutcrackers

We are now stocking NZ made Nut Crackers. The two options available are the Deluxe box cracker and the Base cracker.

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grafted macadamia trees available

Orders are being taken to graft plants for delivery in Autumn and Spring 2018. Don’t miss out!

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nursery aims for 30k plant capacity in 2017

Nursery capacity was expanded from 3,000 to 10,000 plants in 2015/2016 and will reach 30,000 plant capacity in 2017 to meet the increased demand for macadamia trees.

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Maori macadamia industry tough nut to crack

A successful entrepreneur who runs her own insurance company – Life Broker Services in Gisborne – Vanessa is best known in Māori business circles as the Nut Lady on account of her macadamia interests. Together with her partner, Rod Husband, she owns a large organic orchard at Torere near Opotiki and a small de-husking plant operated by Rod in Gisborne.

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Cracking the macadamia market

Torere Macadamias has had Activate Tairawhiti help to grow the business and progress plans for a regional co-operative, as it targets 50ha in macadamia trees here in 10 years — to rival Waikato as the country’s biggest producer.

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Torere Macadamias and the Poutama Trust

Vanessa Hayes and Wiremu Kerekere (grand-uncle) swapped shares in whanau land at Torere for a home in Gisborne in 1981. Vanessa then incorporated Torere Macadamias Ltd (TML) in 1999 to lease and mortgage the block for macadamia development. Variety trial plantings began in 1996 and a quarantine facility and nursery was built in 2001 to import, trial, propagate and assess the best varieties suitable for New Zealand conditions.