I’m a fan of macadamia nuts. Living in Australia, they were plentiful, if not especially cheap.

Colombia also produces a fair quantity of the Australian Nut. The unshelled variety is ridiculously cheap (COP$3,000 for half a kilo), but shelled macadamias are equally as expensive as anywhere else. So imagine my surprise when I came across macadamia oil in the supermarket yesterday, next to imported olive oil, and at half the price as in Oz.

Let me think. Locally grown and processed macadamia oil — right here in Cali — or the two year old dregs of whatever the Spanish and Italian olive groves decide to throw Latin America’s way. Hmm. I’m going with the macadamia oil from now on.

Also nifty is De Alba’s Aceite de Macadamia Con Ají, macadamia oil with a chile in it, turning the light yellow oil a deep pink. Spicey popcorn, anyone?

Check out Del Alba’s web site here.