Macadamia Processing
We have the first and only macadamia processing factory, NUTS Processors Uganda. As the pioneers in macadamia value chain in Uganda AMAFH Farms Limited guarantees the macadamias farmers of a ready market for their nuts as and when they are harvesting.
The farm harvested macadamias are de-husked to strip the husk away. The in-shell macadamia nuts called nuts-in-shells are separated from the husks before taking them into the main processing factory where they pass through our strict quality checks, the same way as for all nuts-in-shells received in the factory.
The factory also buys macadamia nuts from the out growers who are already harvesting from their orchards. At our collection centres, we have staff who visit farmers to advise on post-harvest handling of macadamias as well as to buy the harvested crop soon after harvesting and de-husking.
The in-shell nuts are dried in the factory with forced air and controlled temperatures to remove the excess moisture while preserving the quality of the nuts. The lower moisture helps later in the subsequent processing stages.
Macadamia processing uses special equipment to crack the nuts out of the shells. The kernels are sorted to remove dust, dirt, any remaining bits of husk, or nuts that are substandard. The shells are conveyed out of the processing room.
The kernels are conveyed to different stations for packaging or secondary processing. Bulk raw kernels are packed directly into foil bags and gas flashed with carbon dioxide or oxygen before sealing and packing into cartons. Macadamia kernels for secondary processing and retail packaging are separated and then roasting, salting and/ flavouring and final packaging is done on a special section.
Quality Control
Quality control is essential starting right from the fields to produce the nuts and harvest them in a timely manner and as cost effective as possible. Machines are used to remove both the husks and the hard shells, but observation is provided throughout by quality inspectors and other optical devices to ensure high quality products.
MACADAMIA NUTS
Macadamia Products
MACARICA BRAND
Our premium brand name is MACARICA with brand Slogan “Life’s Secret Ingredient”. and is initially having Saltrica (Salted macadamia nuts, Honeyrica (Honey coated macadamia nuts) and Mixrica (Mixed nuts).
The world’s most nutritious nuts, macadamia nuts are mostly eaten as flavoured snacks. There is also a proliferation of macadamia cookies, cakes, confectionery, pastries, spreads, ice-creams and macadamias are also an ingredient in a host of brand foods. The caramel flavour blends easily well as a compliment for sweet and savoury foods and is delicious hot or cold.
MACADAMIA OIL
The kernels are also pressed to produce macadamia nut oil which is used for culinary and cosmetics applications. The oil is very good and can be used as a substitute for other oils in many dishes. It has a higher smoke point than other oils that it is very good for sautéing, roasting, and grilling. Macadamia oil has good heart health benefits with high monounsaturated fats. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), monounsaturated fats can lower levels of bad cholesterol, which, in turn, can reduce a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke.
