macadamia nut oil

move over olive oil - macadamia nut oil is the next big thing! for years i've been using olive oil for almost every single recipe that called for oil. i even once substituted olive oil for canola oil in a batch of pancakes only to find out the hard way that not all oils are created equal. instead of light, fluffy, buttermilk flapjacks, i was left with thick slabs of batter that resembled overcooked latkes. but even though olive oil is touted as being one of, if not THE healthiest oil out there, macadamia nut oil actually has a few pros that, in my opinion, blow olive oil out of the water (and this is not a reference to volatile relationship that already exists between oil and water).

here are a few things you may not know about macadamia nut oil:
1. macadamia nut oil can stand the heat. olive oil can't: many people do not realize that olive oil's composition begins to change when it is exposed to high heat (reaching its "smoke point"). quite quickly, the good fat changes form and we are actually creating a different chemical composition that is completely different from the composition of cold olive oil.  macadamia nut oil, on the other hand, has a very high smoke point.  this means that it can be used at high heats without changing composition or flavor. when cooking eggs or roasting vegetables, i recommend using macadamia nut oil instead of olive oil for the above reason.

2. olive oil has more omega 6 fatty acids than macadamia nut oil: some omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation while omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation. although macadamia nut oil has less omega-6 fatty acids, olive oil has more omega-3 fatty acids.  when making salads, use olive oil. when sauteeing spinach or broiling fish, use macadamia nut oil.

3. macadamia nut oil has a rich, nutty flavor: no one can deny the fact that olive oil has a delicious flavor. few things are as tasty as fresh, warm bread dipped in a really good olive oil. but have you ever tried macadamia nut oil on vegetables (or even just by itself). macadamia nut oil has a wonderful flavor that is a great alternative to the very distinct taste of olive oil.

by no means am i dissing olive oil here. i think olive oil is one of the best things ever created. but just be careful how you use it. if you can, start using macadamia nut oil when cooking at high temperatures and saving the olive oil for warm or cold dishes. you'll probably notice that the flavor is better anyhow. and don't forget that there are other oils out there, too.  experiment with avocado oil, walnut oil, and pistachio oil - see which ones you like best for different dishes!