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You may have noticed a significant increase in olive oil prices recently, and we want to shed light on why this change has occurred.

Reasons Behind the Increase:

Impact of Spanish Olive Oil Prices:
The global olive oil market has been impacted by a drought in Spain, a major producer of olive oil. The scarcity of Spanish olive oil has led to a doubling of its price. In South Africa, local farmers often base their prices on international trends, thus reflecting the surge in Spanish olive oil costs.

Challenges in Harvests:
The recent years have seen a poor olive harvest in 2023, followed by a marginally better but still challenging harvest in 2024. These harvest difficulties have further tightened the local olive oil supply chain, impacting pricing.

Shift to Local Olive Oil:
Many companies that previously relied on imported olive oil are now favoring South African olive oil. This shift towards supporting local producers has led to increased demand for South African olive oil, thereby tightening the supply within the country and influencing price adjustments.

Exploring Alternatives:
While olive oil prices adjust, consider exploring alternative oils that offer excellent health benefits and culinary versatility.

Cold Pressed Macadamia Oil:
This oil, extracted from nutrient-rich macadamia nuts, is extremely wellpriced and offers a unique flavor profile. It's rich in monounsaturated fats, which can support heart health, and has a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking and salads alike.

Avocado Oil:
Another fantastic substitute, avocado oil, is known for its abundance of healthy fats and antioxidants. With a mild flavor and high smoke point, it’s perfect for various cooking methods, including sautéing, roasting, and dressing.

Both macadamia oil and avocado oil present exciting alternatives to olive oil, bringing their own set of health benefits and culinary possibilities.

In conclusion, whilst we have made every effort to make South African olive oil affordable, we have exciting alternatives to explore. Embracing these alternatives not only supports local agriculture but also introduces us to new flavors and nutritional benefits.

Wishing you happy and healthy cooking adventures.

Walnut oil and macadamia oil are both high-quality, nutrient-dense oils that can be used in cooking and as a dressing for salads and other dishes.

Walnut oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. It also contains antioxidants, including vitamin E, which may help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Macadamia oil is also rich in monounsaturated fats, which can help to support heart health. It also contains a high proportion of palmitoleic acid, which may have anti-aging benefits for the skin. Additionally, macadamia oil is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants, which can help protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution.

Both oils are suitable for high-heat cooking. However, macadamia oil has a higher smoke point than walnut oil, making it more stable at higher temperatures. Macadamia oil also has a milder, more neutral flavor than walnut oil, which may be more versatile in cooking. Walnut oil has a distinct nutty flavor and aroma, which can be very pleasant in some dishes, but it can also be overwhelming in some cases.

In summary, walnut oil is a great source of omega-3s and antioxidants. Macadamia oil is high in monounsaturated fats, palmitoleic acid and antioxidants, and has a higher smoke point and milder flavor than walnut.

 

How To Use Macadamia Nut Oil For Cooking

Macadamia nut oil is an excellent choice for cooking and at the same time it has a number of health benefits as well.  It has an extremely pleasant flavour being both buttery and nutty.  In addition it has a very high smoke point thus making it an excellent choice for frying.   

Our extra virgin macadamia oil is high in monounsaturated fats, the healthy fats that lower cholesterol.  A high-grade macadamia nut oil can go a long way in your kitchen. Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that lower cholesterol. It is also high in antioxidants which fight free radicals which are dangerous atoms that cause damage to your cells.

Uses Of Macadamia Nut Oil For Cooking

Macadamia being an extremely pleasant tasting oil is extremely versatile.  It has a smooth buttery flavor and may be used for roasting, baking, and deep frying deep frying.  It is also great for salad dressing and as a butter substitute in baking.   It can also be used as a foundation for salad dressings and a butter alternative in baking.

Macadamia Nut Oil’s Health Benefits

The following are some of the health advantages of macadamia nut oil:

Cardiovascular Health

Macadamia nut oil contains a high concentration of beneficial fatty acids, superior to many other oils. Triglycerides are essentially fat in the blood, which can be extremely harmful to your heart since they can clog arteries, increasing your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Macadamia nut oil’s high oleic acid content (even higher than olive oil) makes it vital for harmonizing cholesterol levels and lowering triglyceride levels in the blood.

Levels Of Energy

Although the benefits to heart health and cholesterol balance are obvious, macadamia nuts have high-calorie content, providing a quick energy boost to the body, which the oil can also deliver. 

Potential Antioxidant

According to studies, macadamia nut oil includes a high quantity of antioxidants, including tocotrienols, which can significantly impact the body’s overall health. Free radicals are harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause various chronic disorders, including apoptosis and cell mutation. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize them. Macadamia nut oil’s high antioxidant content makes it a valuable supplement to your immune system and can aid in the cleansing of your entire system.

Optical Health

Some antioxidants included in macadamia nut oil have been related to improved eye health, including preventing macular degeneration and delaying cataract formation. This is accomplished through the same free-radical-neutralizing method as macadamia nut oil’s other antioxidant benefits.

Keeps The Good Fats

Macadamia nut oil has a higher smoke point than other oils, As a result, when you cook using macadamia nut oil, you’re less likely to burn up the healthy fats that are the primary reason you’re using it in the first place. This will also assist in preserving the oil’s flavor, which is pleasant and valuable to a variety of meals, mainly when used as a salad dressing.