Macadamia is a nut that belongs to the Proteaceae family and the Macadamia genus. It differs from others by the highest price. It comes from Australia, and its high cost is due to the complexity of growing.
It grows on trees that reach no more than 15 m in height. They have leathery smooth leaves, but they give the first harvest only 8-10 years after planting. But they live up to 100 years, and all this time they will bear fruit. Nuts hang from the branches in long clusters. They are collected only by hand. An experienced assembler in one day will be able to "get" no more than 150 kg. It takes at least six months for nuts to ripen. A mature fruit is about 3.5 cm in diameter. It can be said that it is impossible to clean them manually, since the core is in close contact with the shell, and it is crushed by impact. That is why the macadamia nut is machine-cleaned only.
Macadamia plantations are found in Brazil, Australia, the southern United States, Hawaii and South Africa. In a year it is produced less than, for example, black caviar - only 40 tons. Therefore, even in its historical homeland it costs more than $30 per kilogram. Until the macadamia nut gets to the rest of the world, the price, of course, grows by an order of magnitude. Although this product has now becomegrow in many tropical countries and it is becoming more popular and affordable.
Macadamia nut has round very hard fruits, in which it is very difficult to separate the kernel from the shell. The first sweet, white. It can be fried, or it can be consumed fresh, before that it is slightly s alted. To taste, it is somewhat reminiscent of hazelnuts, but much more nutritious and tastier. An excellent oil is made from its kernels. It is transparent, almost colorless, and has a slight odor. And, like Provence, it belongs to the highest category of all edible oils. Connoisseurs of these nuts believe that sherry and coffee will best emphasize the taste of macadamia.
In terms of taste, nutritional value and calorie content, macadamia nut is the champion among its "brothers". Approximately 700 kilocalories are in its 100 grams, while they are high in fat and low in carbohydrates. These nuts are quite high in B vitamins, as well as copper and potassium. There is another property that macadamia is endowed with. Nut, the use of which is very much appreciated in cosmetology, has an antioxidant property. This in itself is unique, as the substance it contains resembles vegetable wax. And in the world of plants, this happens only in the form of a wax coating, and, as you know, it is impossible to collect it. Therefore, macadamia is highly valued and is used in cosmetology for the production of products that care for flaky, dry skin. It is also used by paint manufacturers forhair.
By the way, macadamia nut is dangerous for dogs. It has great benefits for the human body. There are practically no contraindications for its use. But on the body of our smaller brothers, it has a toxic effect. The nut causes poisoning in them, which proceeds with severe weakness. If the dog eats at least one such nucleolus, then after that it will not even be able to rise to its feet for 12 hours. But recovery comes quickly enough, in just two days the animal will regain its former shape.
