Macadamia << `mak` uh DAY mee uh >> nut is a large, round edible seed that grows on two species of trees. Macadamia trees are evergreens native to tropical Australia. The “smooth-shell” macadamia tree, the only commercially important species, grows more than 40 feet (12 meters) tall and bears creamy-white flowers. A plantation manager brought the tree to Hawaii from Australia in the 1800’s. Today, the nuts are an important crop in Hawaii.
Macadamia nuts have a hard, smooth shell. Macadamia nut processors crack the nuts, and then dry the white kernels, roast them in oil, and salt them. The roasted nuts are often used in cakes, candy, and ice cream. The nuts are also called Australian nuts, bopple nuts, bush nuts, and Queensland nuts.
