Take a tour of a macadamia farm in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of a handful of countries where macadamia nuts are commercially grown. In Costa Rica most macadamia farms are along the Caribbean slope north of Turribala but macadamia trees can be grown virtually anywhere that coffee grows. It takes 10 years after planting for a tree to produce nuts.

Macadamia nuts are very nutritious. They have the highest amount of the beneficial monosaturated fat of any known nut. They contain 9% protein, 9% carbohydrate, 2% dietary fiber as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.

Michelle Cloutier, a former Peace Corp Volunteer, who now lives Costa Rica, owns and operates the Rio Frio Macadamia Farm near Arenal. She offers tours of the farm and an opportunity to learn more about this interesting crop. Her hours are 8-4 weekdays, but it is always better to call in advance for a tour. Her phone numbers are: 2694-4225 or 8896-2048.

This is a great stop on your visit to the area to see the Arenal Volcano and soak in the hot springs.

Here are some Macadamia Nut recipes for your enjoyment.

Macadamia Nut Brittle recipe:
Courtesy of Michelle Cloutier

Melt in a skillet over low heat

2 cups of sugar

Stir constantly. When the sugar is caramelized, quickly add:
2 tbsp. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla

Once the butter has melted add:

2 cups of macadamia nuts

Stir until well coated and pour the candy onto a buttered platter. When
cool crack into pieces.

Macadamia Nut Cake
Courtesy of Doris Welter and Mary Ellen Nolan

1 cup macadamia nuts (on bottom of greased, floured bundt pan)
1 package yellow cake mix
1 3 ¾ oz. package vanilla instant pudding mix (not sugar-free)
4 eggs
½ cup cold water
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup Macadamia nut liqueur
Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan. Put macadamia nuts on bottom of pan.
Mix all other ingredients (per cake mix instructions) and pour into bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or until done.
After cake is cooled, drizzle some of the glaze over the cake.
Glaze
¼ pound butter
¼ cup water
1 cup sugar
½ cup Macadamia nut liqueur
Mix butter, water, and sugar together. Heat to boiling. Boil for five minutes.
Remove from heat. Add the Macadamia nut liqueur. Drizzle some over the cake.
Heat remaining glaze to serve over cake slices.