Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

I am 60,000 years old!You were probably born between 5 and 10 years ago and I’m sure many of you were born in a hospital.I was born in Australia, and the first macadamias like me were born around 60,000 years ago in the rainforests of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Back then, there were Aboriginal tribes living in these rainforest areas. They used to give me as a gift when they were invited to another tribe’s corroborree, or swap me for other things they needed. I was a bit like money!

The Aboriginal people used to call me by a few different names including ‘Kindal Kindal’, ‘Boombera’, ‘Jindilli’, ‘Gyndl’ and ‘Baupal’.

Macadamia trees can take up to 5 years to grow their first nuts. But once they get started, they can keep producing beautiful macadamias for over 100 years!

FUN FACT

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

I am a very hard nut to crackI grow on a beautiful big tree with a very brown hard shell around me, and a dark green husk around that.

To get to my beautiful creamy soft nut, or ‘kernel’, the husk is first removed, before the tricky task of cracking my shell is performed.

To crack me, you need something really hard like a hammer or a vice - but you have to be very careful not to squash your fingers or my insides – that’s the good part!

Cracking machines have been specially made to crack the tough shell of the macadamia without damaging the kernel inside.

FUN FACT

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

Australia – the nuttiest country in the world!

Australia produces more macadamia kernal than any other country in the world. But many people don’t realise that I am an Australian nut.

To this day, I am the only native Australian food to be developed and successfully traded internationally as a large scale commercial

food product.

For a long time, America produced more macadamias than Australia, because the trees were introduced to Hawaii in 1881 as a wind-break for sugarcane and grew very successfully. But in 1994, we outdid American production and Australia now grows 30% of the world’s macadamia supply.

After I am harvested, processed and packaged, I am either eaten here in Australia, or shipped to another part of the world.

I am enjoyed in more than 40 countries around the world. People in Japan are particularly fond of me - especially when I’m covered in chocolate. Yum!

FUN FACT

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

I’m grown where it’s warm, but I like being stored in the coldI grow best in warm areas including New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

My lifecycle starts in early spring, when macadamia trees start flowering. Nuts start to form in early summer and by Autumn, you will see trees with lots of clusters of plump green nuts.

Between March and September, the ripe nuts fall to the ground, and the farmers use specially designed machinery to collect and harvest them.

This picture shows how I am harvested:

FUN FACT

When you buy me in a pack from the shops, the best way to store me is in an airtight container in your fridge. I stay fresher for longer that way.

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

FUN FACT

I’m a little nut, but I create lots of jobsAustralia has around 750 macadamia growers who look after 6 million trees and grow 40,000 tonnes of Australian macadamias each year. That’s a lot of nuts!

There are thousands of people employed in the macadamia industry – many of those live in your area. Do you know anybody who works with macadamias?

Perhaps you know somebody who works on one of the macadamia farms. Maybe even your Mum or Dad!

It takes a lot of people and a lot of different jobs to grow all those macadamias, harvest them, package them, and transport them to stores and onto ships to go overseas.

Everyone who works in the Australian macadamia industry is very good at what they do. That’s why our macadamias are the best in the world.

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

I’m endangered in the wildI grow on macadamia farms and in the wild.

While there are millions of healthy macadamia trees on the farms, in the wild, I am an endangered species.

Luckily there are farmers and scientists working hard to make sure I don’t disappear and that the remaining wild macadamia species are cared for.

These wonderful people spend a lot of time and money regenerating rainforests to preserve the natural ecosystem and helping to keep harmful pests and disease away.

I am a very important part of Australia’s natural history – you don’t want to lose me!

FUN FACT

Mac’s Fun Facts

australian-macadamias.org

I’m packed with goodness & there’s so much I can do!I am a really delicious nut! One of Australia’s favourites.

Not only do I taste great, I am packed with all sorts of goodies that your bodies will love, such as good fats, vitamins and minerals.

I make a perfect snack on my own, but I am also delicious with chocolate, ice cream, blended up as a spread, in dips, in salads, sprinkled on cereal - and more!

So grab a handful and enjoy!

For lots of great macadamia recipes, visit australian-macadamias.org/taste/recipes

FUN FACT

yum!