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Candlenut Calories
High-fat, energy-dense nut-like seed rich in minerals
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (whole) of Candlenut (8 g) has 55 calories. That works out to 690 calories per 100 g. It contains 1 g of carbs, 0.6 g of protein, 5.4 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its 0.2 mg of Manganese covers 7% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Candlenut Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (whole) · 8 g
55
KCAL / 8G
Carbs
1g
· 0% DV
Protein
0.6g
· 1% DV
Fat
5.4g
· 7% DV
Fiber
0.4g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 7% · Protein 4% · Fat 89%
Candlenut nutrition facts table · 1 piece (whole) (8 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 55 kcal | |
| Total fat | 5.4 g | 7% |
| Saturated fat | 1.92 g | 10% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 0.32 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 1 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Candlenut?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (whole) | 8 g | 55 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 7 g | 48 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (chopped) | 9 g | 62 kcal |
| 2 piece (whole) | 16 g | 110 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (chopped) | 18 g | 124 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 20 g | 138 kcal |
| 1 ounce (whole) | 28 g | 193 kcal |
| 0.25 cup (chopped) | 30 g | 207 kcal |
| 4 piece (whole) | 32 g | 221 kcal |
| ½ cup (chopped) | 60 g | 414 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 690 kcal |
Calculated from 690 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candlenut
What is a candlenut used for?
Candlenuts are oily seeds used mainly in Southeast Asian cooking, especially Indonesian and Malaysian dishes. Ground into spice pastes, they add body and help thicken sauces such as rendang and curry.
Can you eat candlenuts raw?
No, candlenuts should not be eaten raw; raw seeds can cause nausea, vomiting, and other stomach upset. They are used cooked in dishes, so grind them into the recipe and make sure the food is thoroughly cooked.
What does candlenut taste like?
Candlenut has a mild, rich, slightly nutty taste rather than a strong spice flavor. Its main role in many recipes is to give sauces a fuller texture, with only a subtle flavor after cooking.
What can I use instead of candlenuts?
Macadamias, cashews, or almonds can stand in for candlenuts, depending on the recipe. Cashews are a useful choice when the seed is meant to thicken a sauce, though none of these substitutes reproduces candlenut’s flavor exactly.
Are candlenuts the same as macadamia nuts?
No, candlenuts and macadamias come from different plants. They can look similar and both have a rich, oily texture, but candlenuts are usually ground into cooked sauces, while macadamias are commonly eaten as a snack.
How do you prepare candlenuts for cooking?
Crack the hard shell, then grind or pound the candlenut into a paste with the other seasonings in your recipe. Add it to the dish so it cooks thoroughly; do not taste the raw ground seed.
Why are candlenuts added to rendang?
Candlenuts are added to rendang to enrich and thicken its spice paste, helping the sauce cling to the meat. They are one of several aromatics in the dish, not a replacement for the characteristic spices.
Can candlenuts be roasted before using?
Yes, some recipes roast candlenuts before grinding them to bring out their aroma. Roasting is a preparation step, not a reason to eat them raw; use them in a dish that cooks thoroughly.
How should you store candlenuts?
Store candlenuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Their high oil content means warmth can make them turn rancid; keep ground candlenuts especially well sealed and use them promptly.
Can candlenuts be used whole in a dish?
Candlenuts are usually cracked, ground, and mixed into a spice paste rather than served whole. Grinding distributes their rich texture through the sauce, and cooking the paste thoroughly is important before serving.
Candlenut Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Folate
7.84µg · 2% DV
Biotin
0.4µg · 1% DV
B6
0.02mg · 1% DV
B5
0.04mg · 1% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.15mg · 7% DV
Copper
0.06mg · 7% DV
Magnesium
14mg · 3% DV
Phosphorus
16mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
34mg · 1% DV
Sodium
0.32mg · 0% DV
Candlenut Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Candlenut
To burn the 55 calories in 1 piece (whole) (8 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Candlenut?
Candlenut is the oily seed of a tropical tree, used especially in Indonesian and Malaysian cooking. Although it looks like a nut, it is commonly ground into spice pastes and sauces, where it helps thicken the mixture and round out its flavour.
Its taste is mild and buttery, with a soft, rich texture once cooked. Candlenuts are not eaten raw; they are usually cooked as part of a dish rather than served as a snack. For cooks elsewhere, a small amount can add body to curries and other Southeast Asian stews. It is energy-dense and high in fat, with 68 g of fat per 100 g, so use it sparingly when aiming for a lighter sauce.
How Nutritious Is Candlenut?
Nutrient density
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Candlenut Processed?
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Candlenut Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Candlenut Good For?
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Candlenut Fat Profile
SATURATED
1.92g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.24g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.48g
Omega 6:3 ratio 72:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (72:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.