Macadamia kernel sizes and uses
Macadamia kernels are processed into a range of sizes from large whole kernels to small chips.
Health benefits of Macadamias
Tree nuts are a healthy food source and macadamias have special health attributes.
Growing Macadamias
Growing macadamias
Macadamias are native to Australia and have been commercially grown here since the late 1960s.
The sub-tropical climate, regular rainfall and abundant sun grow the best macadamias in the world.
The annual life cycle of the nut commences late June/early July (winter) when the racemes of flowers initiate, the flowers are pollinated progressively from June through to October (spring) and reach full size around Christmas (summer) . The nuts remain on the trees while oil builds up in the nuts (92% oil) and drop naturally from March/April through to October.
In the meantime, a new generation of nuts commences whilst the tree is still carrying much of the previous year’s crop.
Nut-in-husk and nut-in-shell (NIS)are harvested from March/April to September/October, de-husked on farm and the NIS delivered to the processing factory for drying and processing.
The majority of Australia’s macadamia orchards are not irrigated, growers relying on natural rainfall. The early harvest months are often quite wet and this can delay harvesting for many weeks over the season.
Health Benefits
Health Benefits A handful of macadamias has been shown to lower blood cholesterol, lower blood pressure and when used as part of a balanced diet, control weight.
A full list of the health attributes can be sourced www.nuts4life and there are a number of articles on the web expounding the virtues of Palmitoleic acid (omega 7) which macadamias contain in abundance.