Whether you’re a big fan of macadamia nuts or have yet to try one, we hope you’ll learn something from this post. Without further ado, this is everything you need to know about macadamia nuts, including how they grow, what you can do with them, and where to buy them!

What Are Macadamia Nuts and How Do They Grow?

Macadamia nuts are tree nuts that grow on four species of trees from the Macadamia genus. The macadamia tree is native to northeastern New South Wales and both central and southeastern Queensland, but today, most macadamia nuts are commercially produced in Hawaii or South Africa. 

Are Macadamia Nuts Even Nuts?

Like almonds and pistachios, macadamia nuts suffer from a bit of an identity crisis. While they are botanically classified as drupes, they’re also classified as nuts, which can cause some confusion. For all intents and purposes, macadamia nuts are tree nuts and should be avoided by anyone with a tree nut allergy. 

How Do Macadamia Nuts Grow?

We’ve already established that macadamia nuts grow on trees, but they don’t start their life looking like the macadamia nuts that we see in grocery stores. 

 

It can take up to eight years for a macadamia tree to grow its first crop of macadamia drupes, which appear on the ends of its branches as golf-ball-sized green spheres. As these drupes ripen, they begin to change color, eventually falling from the tree and turning brown. From the ground, macadamia drupes are then harvested by hand or by machinery, where they are then taken for processing. 

 

To reach the tasty macadamia nut within, first, the drupe’s hard outer husk and shell must be cracked. This is a laborious process and is one of the reasons why you don’t find macadamia nuts sold inside their shells. 

Can You Grow Macadamia Nuts at Home?

Macadamia nut trees prefer warm and humid climates, which can make them tricky to grow if you don’t live somewhere like Hawaii or southeastern Australia. 

 

If you do have the right climate for a macadamia tree, then the easiest way to grow your own macadamia nuts at home is by using a grafted tree. Growing a macadamia tree from seed can be a very long process, and you may be waiting 8-10 years to eat your first home-grown macadamia nuts. 

 

If you decide to give macadamia growing a go, then take some time to research the different varieties of macadamia trees available. Some varieties, such as the Beaumont, grow very tall and have a more narrow spread, which makes them better for backyard growing. Other varieties, such as the Cade, can tolerate a slight frost, while the Vista variety has grown to have a thinner shell, making its nuts easier to crack with a standard nutcracker. 

 

Are Macadamia Nuts Good For You? 

When it comes to healthy foods, almost everyone can agree that nuts are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Macadamia nuts, in particular, provide a number of fantastic health benefits and make a supremely healthy addition to a standard diet. Here are just a couple of the health benefits associated with eating macadamia nuts. 

• Macadamia Nuts Are Very Nutritious

Macadamia nuts manage to pack a whole lot of nutrients into their small shells. Just a one-ounce serving of macadamia nuts can provide you with 58% of your daily value for manganese, as well as 3g of important dietary fiber, a boost of protein, and a healthy dose of heart-healthy fats. 

• Macadamia Nuts Are Packed With Antioxidants

If there’s one thing we could all do with eating more of, it’s antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, reducing oxidative stress on the body and helping fight a number of horrible illnesses, including cancer. Berries and veggies are two good sources of antioxidants, but nuts, such as macadamias, are a third source to try. Macadamia nuts, in particular, have some of the highest flavonoid levels of all tree nuts and are rich in vitamin E. 

 

• Macadamia Nuts Can Help To Prevent Heart Disease

Heart disease has remained the leading cause of death globally for more than 20 years! Heart disease occurs when fatty deposits in your arteries begin impacting the function of your heart. The good news is, you can prevent heart disease by reducing your consumption of bad fats and increasing your consumption of heart-healthy fats. Nuts are one of the best sources of heart-healthy fats because they are rich in monounsaturated fat, which can lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. 

• Macadamia Nuts Are Good For Your Gut

Besides being a great source of healthy fat and protein, macadamia nuts are also a valuable source of dietary fiber. Snacking on fiber-rich foods is important for gut health because it feeds the body’s good gut bacteria. A healthy gut and a happy digestive system can protect against conditions such as bowel cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. 

• Macadamia Nuts Can Help You To Lose Weight

Finally, while macadamia nuts may be calorie-dense, they’re still a great snack for people trying to lose weight. Nuts like macadamia nuts have a good balance of protein, fat, and fiber, which help keep you feeling full for longer and reduce hunger cravings. Additionally, it is now believed that some of the fat in macadamia nuts isn’t absorbed by the body, which would make them even less calorific and an even better weight-loss snack. 

 

These are just five of the amazing health benefits associated with eating macadamia nuts, but there are dozens more! 

Are Macadamia Nuts Good For The Keto Diet?

While macadamia nuts make a good addition to any diet, they’re especially beneficial for those on keto. 

 

When following the ketogenic diet, it’s very important to incorporate healthy fats and nutrients into your meals without over-eating carbohydrates. Nuts in general, but especially macadamia nuts, are great for keto because they are full of healthy monounsaturated fats and provide a boost of other essential vitamins and minerals. 

Can You Eat Macadamia Nuts on the Keto Diet? 

When it comes to eating nuts on the keto diet, not all nuts are created equal because some contain more carbohydrates than others. Fortunately, macadamia nuts are safe to eat on keto because they contain just 5g of net carbs per 100g. For perspective, 100g of almonds contains 9g of net carbs, while cashews could kick you out of ketosis with a massive 22g of net carbs per 100g! 

 

You can eat any type of nut on the keto diet in moderation, but lower carb nuts such as macadamias will allow you to use more of your net-carb quota for other foods such as berries and veggies. 

How to Avoid Eating Too Many Nuts on the Keto Diet

Even lower-carb nuts such as macadamia nuts can kick you out of ketosis if you eat too many of them. To stay on the keto diet and reap the benefits of macadamia nuts, it’s essential to monitor your portion sizes and track your net-carb intake. Here are some tips to help you avoid overeating nuts on the keto diet. 

• Weigh Your Portions In Advance 

The easiest way to overeat nuts is to eat them straight from the packet. If you buy your macadamia nuts in bulk, then weigh them out into smaller containers so that each time you fancy a snack, you know you’re only going to eat one serving. While it can be tempting to just eat a ‘handful’, this isn’t an accurate way to measure your intake, so it’s best to grab the scales and weigh your portions. 

• Eat Mindfully

Crunchy foods are very easy to eat mindlessly, which can lead to overeating. We’ve all opened a bag of chips in front of the TV and then looked down to see the bag was empty! Unfortunately, it’s just as easy to munch on too many macadamia nuts. To prevent mindless eating, try and be present with every bite of food you eat - focus on the flavors, the textures, and the taste rather than allowing your mind to wander. ]

• Make Space for Nuts in your Macros

Finally, if you prefer higher-carb nuts such as pistachios or cashews, then you can still eat them on the keto diet if you make space for them within your macros. If you know you want to eat cashews, then remove some net carbs from elsewhere in your diet. Planning for higher-carb foods is the best way to still enjoy them on the keto diet. 

Are There Any Nuts to Avoid on the Keto Diet?

While some nuts may be higher in carbs than others, all nuts can be enjoyed on the keto diet if they are eaten in moderation! The only nuts you should avoid when trying to eat keto are those that are covered in chocolate, sugar, or a battered coating. 

Four Places to Buy High-Quality Macadamia Nuts in Canada

If you’ve made it this far into this post, then you’re probably starting to crave some macadamia nuts of your own. If your pantry is currently macadamia-free, then don’t panic - we’ve got you covered! Here are four places where you can find high-quality premium-grade macadamia nuts in Canada. 

• Walmart 

With more than 400 Walmart stores across Canada, you’re likely to have one nearby. If you’re looking for affordable macadamia nuts in snack-size packages, then Walmart is the place to go. While Walmart macadamia nuts may not be the very highest quality available, they’re hard to beat on price because Walmart benefits from economies of scale. When selecting macadamia nuts from Walmart, keep a close eye on whether the macadamia nuts are all broken and powdery, as this is a sign that they’ve been poorly handled during transit. 

• Costco 

If you like to buy your food in bulk and know that you’re going to be able to eat a large number of macadamia nuts, then Costco is the place to go. At Costco, you’ll find huge bags of macadamia nuts and boxes of multi-packs too. As with Walmart, Costco macadamias may not be the highest quality, but they also benefit from economies of scale, so buying macadamia nuts from Costco is usually more affordable. When selecting your nuts, always check to ensure that the bag is still air-tight; if the bag has popped, the nuts may have gone rancid. 

• Whole Foods Market

If you want organic macadamia nuts or simply like to know that the food you eat is of the highest quality available, then Whole Foods Market is the place to shop. Whole Foods have earned a reputation for themselves as a premium grocery store thanks to the quality of their products, but you will pay extra, and their macadamia nuts tend to be on the more costly side. If shopping at Whole Foods is usually too expensive for you, then keep an eye out for when macadamia nuts go on promotion and stock up on pantry essentials when they are at their best price. 

• Ayoub’s Dried Fruit & Nuts

Finally, how could we complete this list without also mentioning our own fantastic range of premium nuts? We pride ourselves on quality at Ayoub’s and only sell the very best raw macadamia nuts. Sweet, delicate, and nutty, our raw macadamias are perfect for snacking on as they come or ideal for blending into nut butter or straining into nut milk. If you’re feeling indulgent, then you have to check out our chocolate-coated macadamia nuts too! If you’re lucky enough to live near one of our Ayoub’s stores, then we’d love for you to try some of our delicious freshly hand-roasted nuts, or alternatively, all of our products are also available online for delivery direct to your door. 

 

How Should You Store Macadamia Nuts?

The most cost-effective way to buy macadamia nuts is in bulk, but this means learning how to store your nuts to stop them from going off. 

Why Do Macadamia Nuts Go Bad?

Like other nuts, macadamia nuts will become rancid if left exposed to the open air. This is because they contain high levels of fatty acids, which oxidize easily. Once oxidized, these fatty acids change their molecular structure, becoming bitter and unpleasant to eat. To prevent your macadamia nuts from going bad, it’s important to keep them in an airtight container, store them away from direct sunlight and keep them away from moisture. 

How Quickly Will Macadamia Nuts Go Bad?

When stored correctly, macadamia nuts have a relatively long shelf life. When sealed in an airtight container in the pantry, they’ll last for around six months before they start to taste bitter. If stored in the refrigerator, macadamia nuts will last even longer and will retain their freshness for up to a year! If you have a ton of macadamia nuts or live in a very hot climate, then you can also store macadamia nuts in the freezer, where they’ll stay fresh for up to two years. 

What Is The Correct Way to Store Macadamia Nuts?

The best way to store macadamia nuts is on the package they come in. However, if you need to open the bag or want to portion out your macadamia nuts, then it’s best to transfer them to an airtight container that can be easily re-sealed. 

 

Even a small amount of air is enough to begin the rancidification process, and so for the very best result, you may want to consider vacuum sealing your macadamia nuts in a vacuum container. 

 

In addition to keeping oxygen out of the container, you also need to store your macadamia nuts away from direct sunlight and someplace cool. The pantry is usually sufficient, but if you live in a very hot country then you may want to store your macadamia nuts in the fridge or freezer. 

How to Tell If Your Macadamia Nuts Have Gone Bad

Even when stored in an airtight container, eventually macadamia nuts will start to lose their flavor or will become rancid. Here are a few ways to tell if your macadamia nuts have gone bad. 

• They’ve Gone Moldy 

If your macadamia nuts show any signs of growing mold, then they’ve definitely gone bad! Even if the mold is only on a few of the nuts you will need to throw the whole container away. Macadamia nuts will only become moldy if they get damp, which is why it is important to keep them dry and store them away from high humidity. 

• They Smell Funky 

An easy way to tell if your macadamia nuts have started to go rancid is to give them a sniff. When fatty acids oxidize, they let off a very distinct aroma which has been compared to the smell of paint, nail varnish remover, and plastic. Fresh macadamia nuts will have a pleasant aroma; if they smell of anything other than this, it could indicate that they have started to go bad. 

• They Don’t Taste Nice

Finally, another easy way to tell if our macadamia nuts have gone bad is to taste them. 

Rancid nuts have a very distinct bitter taste, and you’ll know very quickly if they’re good to eat or not. If your macadamia nuts no longer taste creamy and delicious, then they’ve probably started to go bad, and it’s time to replace them. 

 

Four Deliciously Easy Ways to Eat More Macadamia Nuts

So you want to start eating more macadamia nuts but you don’t know how to incorporate them into your diet - here are four easy things to try!

Make Some Macadamia Nut Butter

If you like peanut butter, then you’re going to love macadamia nut butter. Macadamia butter feels like eating a dessert because it is so rich and creamy. To make your own macadamia butter at home, just process raw macadamia nuts in your food processor until they form a paste. This can take a little bit of time, but it’s worth the wait! Alternatively, you can find macadamia nut butter in some grocery stores. Once you have your macadamia butter, you can add it to your oatmeal, dollop it onto toast, mix it into your smoothies or even just eat it right off the spoon. 

Create Your Own Fruit & Nut Mix

If you’re a snack-a-holic, then you have to try making your own fruit and nut mix. Macadamia nuts make a great addition to any fruit and nut mix because they have such a delicious buttery flavor. Simply combine your choice of dried fruits and nuts, and you’ve got the perfect healthy snack. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then add a couple of our chocolate macadamia nuts or, if you prefer things savory, then you have to try some of our savory spice mixes!

Blend Macadamia Nuts Into Your Smoothies

Adding nuts to your smoothies is the perfect way to ensure that they’re balanced with healthy fats and protein. While you can add macadamia nut butter to your smoothies, you can also just add a handful of whole raw macadamia nuts. Don’t worry - your blender will do all of the hard work, and you won’t even notice them in your smoothie. 

Sprinkle Macadamia Nuts on Your Salads

Lastly, another great way to incorporate macadamia nuts into your diet is to use them as a crunchy topping for salads. While you can add whole macadamia nuts to your salad, it’s best to chop them first. Chopped macadamia nuts also make a delicious crunchy topping for oatmeal, grilled meat, and oven-roasted veggies. 

 

What’s The Deal With Macadamia Nut Milk?

Whether you’re dairy-free or not, milk alternatives are all the rage right now, and one of the newest plant-based milk alternatives on the market is macadamia nut milk. 

What Is Macadamia Nut Milk?

Macadamia nut milk is a deliciously creamy milk alternative that is made by blending and straining macadamia nuts. Like almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk, macadamia nut milk is great in tea and coffee and is also perfect for adding to cereal and other dishes. 

 

Macadamia nuts are a particularly good nut for making nut milk because they have a slightly higher fat content than most nuts. This extra fat produces thick and creamy nut milk that tastes almost like coffee creamer.

Five Reasons Why You Have to Try Macadamia Nut Milk

If you’ve never tried macadamia nut milk before and need a little more convincing, then here are five reasons to give it a try. 

 

• Macadamia Nut Milk Is Dairy-Free and Lactose-Free

You don’t need to be vegan or dairy-free to give macadamia nut milk a try, but if you are lactose intolerant, you’ll be pleased to hear that macadamia nut milk is 100% lactose-free. As plant-based milk, macadamia milk is not from animal sources and therefore fits perfectly into a vegan or plant-based diet. 

• Macadamia Nut Milk Contains Heart-Healthy Fats

Side by side, macadamia nut milk contains slightly more fat than 2% cow’s milk, but this isn’t the whole picture. While cow’s milk contains primarily saturated fat, the fat in macadamia nut milk is almost entirely mono-unsaturated, meaning that it is good for your heart. 

• Macadamia Nuts are Rich in Antioxidants

Macadamia nuts contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants, specifically the powerful antioxidant vitamin E. These antioxidants help to fight free radicals in the body, preventing illness and slowing down the aging process. 

• Macadamia Nut Milk is Great For Coffee Lovers

If you’re a big fan of coffee, but don’t find that almond or soy milk makes your coffee creamy enough, then you should give macadamia nut milk a try. Because macadamia nuts have a slightly higher monounsaturated fat content than other nuts, they produce particularly thick and creamy nut milk that is best suited to creamy coffees. 

• Macadamia Nut Milk is Better For The Environment

Lastly, we should all be trying to do our bit for the environment, and something as simple as swapping cow’s milk for a plant-based alternative can have a big impact on your carbon and water footprint. 

Will You Give Macadamia Nut Milk A Try?

Have we managed to convince you to give macadamia nut milk a try? If we have, then you can find macadamia nut milk at most large grocery stores, or alternatively, it’s also super-easy to make yourself. 

To make your own macadamia nut milk, simply soak 1 cup of raw macadamia nuts for approximately 2 hours. Next, blend your soaked macadamia nuts with 3-4 cups of water. If you like thicker milk, then use less water. Finally, strain your blended macadamia nut milk with a nut bag or muslin cloth to remove any large pieces of nut. Once bottled, this fresh macadamia milk will last in the fridge for approximately five days. 

 

If you prefer sweeter milk, then try adding in 1-2 Medjool dates or a dash of honey to your bender. 

Three Ways to Use Macadamia Oil and Its Health Benefits

Besides making macadamia nut milk, another fantastic way to reap the benefits of macadamia nuts is to try macadamia nut oil.

What is Macadamia Nut Oil?

Macadamias have a high-fat content, which when cold-pressed, can be turned into a tasty and nutritious oil. Cold-pressing macadamia nuts will produce unrefined macadamia nut oil with a slightly nutty flavor. To get even more oil from macadamia nuts, some are processed at a higher heat, resulting in a refined macadamia nut oil that has little to no flavor or color. 

What Are the Benefits of Macadamia Oil?

Even if you’ve never heard of macadamia nut oil before, it’s likely that you’ve already been using it because it is in a ton of skincare and haircare products. Here are just three of the ways that macadamia oil can benefit your body. 

• Macadamia Oil Has High Levels of Antioxidants

We’ve mentioned antioxidants a few times already, but it’s important to reiterate that even macadamia nut oil contains high levels of these cancer-fighting compounds. This makes macadamia nut oil a particularly good carrier oil for skincare products because it protects your skin from free radicals caused by UV radiation. 

• Macadamia Oil is Good For Your Heart

Fat has been given a very bad name in recent years, but the reality is that not all kinds of fat are equal. While saturated fat is bad for you and can cause heart disease, other types of fat, such as monounsaturated fat, can actually help to remove fatty build-ups in your arteries and lower your cholesterol levels. Rather than giving up fatty foods altogether, it’s much more beneficial to learn which foods contain the good kinds of fat and which contain bad kinds of fat. 

• Macadamia Oil is Great for Your Skin

There’s a reason why macadamia nut oil is in so many skincare products - it’s great for your skin! Some oils are better for your skin than others and macadamia nut oil is one of the best kinds you can get because it is extremely nourishing and gentle, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. 

How to Use Macadamia Oil 

Oils can be intimidating, but there’s so much more to do with oils than just using them to fry food. Here are three ways to use macadamia nut oil for maximum health benefit.

• Add Macadamia Oil to Your Dressings & Meals

One of the most obvious ways to use macadamia nut oil is as an ingredient in your salad dressings. Unrefined cold-pressed macadamia nut oil has a slightly nutty flavor and a creamy taste which compliments the flavors of most dressings. The next time you reach for the olive oil, why not try macadamia nut oil instead for a different depth of flavor. 

• Massage Macadamia Oil into Your Nails & Cuticles

Macadamia nut oil is very hydrating and nourishing which makes it a great hand and cuticle oil. If you suffer from dry nails and flakey cuticles, try keeping a small bottle of macadamia nut oil at your desk and gently rub it into your hands and nails for a few minutes each day. Using cuticle oil regularly can help to keep your cuticles soft and supple and will also promote healthier nail growth. 

• Create a Macadamia Oil Hair Mask 

Besides being great for your skin, cuticles, and nails, macadamia nut oil can also be used on your hair. Using a macadamia nut oil hair mask once a week will give your hair a deep and nourishing treatment, resulting in glossier and stronger hair. Creating your own macadamia hair mask is super easy, simply add a few drops of macadamia oil to some freshly smashed avocado and apply this mixture to your hair for 15 minutes. Alternatively, you could just add a few drops of macadamia nut oil to your regular conditioner. 

How to Make White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies

When it comes to flavor combinations that were just born to be together, white chocolate and macadamia immediately spring to mind. If macadamia nut milk or macadamia nut oil aren’t your cups of tea, we’re sure you can get behind this recipe for white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies! 

While these cookies may not be the healthiest way to eat macadamia nuts, they sure are delicious - here’s the recipe. 

Ingredients For White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies

This recipe will make approximately 20 cookies. You will need: 

 

• 250g of plain white flour
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 170g of salted butter (melted)
• 220g of light muscovado sugar
• 100g of caster sugar
• 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 200g of white chocolate chips (or a bar of white chocolate chopped into chunks)
• 100g of raw macadamia nuts

How to Make White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies

1. Start by preheating your oven to 325 F (160 degrees C), and line a baking tray or two with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. 
2. Combine your flour and baking powder. If you are using unsalted butter, you may want to add a teaspoon of salt. 
3. In a large bowl, mix together your melted butter, caster sugar, and muscovado sugar. 
4. Once combined, add the whole egg and also the extra egg yolk along with the vanilla extract. At this stage, the mixture should be creamy. 
5. Now it’s time to add the flour. Slowly mix your flour and baking powder into the wet mix. It’s best to do this slowly but don’t overwork the mixture. 
6. If using a bar of white chocolate, now is the time to chop it into chunks. While you can use whole macadamia nuts, they mix more evenly if you chop them into smaller bite-size pieces. 
7. Add your white chocolate and macadamia nuts to the cookie dough mixture and mix through. 
8. If your cookie dough is a little wet, then pop it into the fridge or freezer to firm up a little before rolling it into balls. 
9. If the dough is workable, begin rolling it into small golf-ball-sized balls and gently press them onto your baking trays. 
10. Leave a bit of space between each cookie; otherwise, they may combine into one giant cookie!
11. Place your cookies into the oven for 10-15 minutes, keeping a close eye on them and taking them out once they start to go golden on top. Don’t panic if your cookies are still a bit soft; they will firm up as they cool down. 
12. Allow 5-10 minutes for your cookies to cool on a wire rack before eating them. 

10 Fun Facts About Macadamia Nuts 

If you’ve made it this far, then congratulations - you almost know everything you need to know about macadamia nuts! To finish off, here are ten fun macadamia nut facts to impress your friends. 

Macadamia Nuts Grow On Trees But Are Picked From The Ground

While macadamia nuts may grow on trees, they aren’t harvested from up in the canopy. When they are ripe, macadamia nuts fall to the ground, where they are picked up by hand or by a big picking machine. 

Macadamia Nuts Are The Most Expensive Nut 

When it comes to price, macadamia nuts are one of the most expensive nuts in the world! This is because macadamia nuts are in high demand, the macadamia tree can take many years to bear fruit, and macadamia nuts require a lot of laborious processing. 

Macadamia Nuts Have a Lot Of Nicknames

Don’t be surprised if you hear macadamia nuts referred to as the king of all nuts. While the root of this nickname isn’t clear, it could be because macadamia nuts often come with a premium price tag. Elsewhere, macadamia nuts are referred to as the Queensland nut, bush nut, maroochi nut, bauple nut, and Hawaii nut.

Macadamia Nut Shells Are Some Of The Toughest To Crack

There’s a reason why macadamias aren’t often sold in their shells. Macadamia nut shells are one of the toughest shells to crack, requiring 300lb per square inch to break. By the time you’d got into the macadamia nut, you’d be too tired to eat it!

Macadamia Nuts are Mostly Fat

Macadamia nuts are one of the fattiest nuts; in fact, they’re approximately 80% fat! Their high-fat content makes them a great nut to eat on the keto diet. While this does make macadamia nuts very calorie-dense, it’s important to remember that macadamia nuts are made from good fat, which can actually lower your risk of heart disease and lower levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. 

Macadamia Nut Trees Can Live for 100 Years

It takes approximately 5-8 years for a macadamia tree to start producing macadamia nuts. Once mature, macadamia trees will produce nuts for many years and can live to be over 100 years old!

Macadamia Nuts are Toxic to Dogs

Unfortunately, your four-legged friend will never get to experience the delight of a fresh macadamia nut because macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs. When ingested by dogs, macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, lethargy, and weakness which if left untreated can be fatal. 

The Hyacinth Macaw is Strong Enough to Break Into Macadamia Nut Shells

Because macadamia nuts have such a tough shell, most predators can’t get into them. However, the Hyacinth Macaw has such a strong beak that it can break into macadamia nut shells to eat the tasty kernel within. Hyacinth Macaws are native to central and eastern South America and have a distinct violet plumage. 

Macadamia Nuts Took Their Name From A Scottish Chemist 

The macadamia nut tree is native to the Australian rainforest but takes its name from a Scottish-born chemist, John Macadam. John Macadam was the first person to cultivate the macadamia tree. 

Macadamia Nuts Weren’t Grown Commercially Until the 1880s

The first commercial orchard of macadamia nut trees wasn’t planted until the 1880s. The orchard was planted by Rous Mill in New South Wales.

 

So there you have it - you’ve made it to the end and now know pretty much everything there is to know about macadamia nuts. Now, all that’s left is for you to try some!