Origin: The macadamia nut was discovered by British colonists in Queensland, Australia, in 1857. It is believed that some Australian, who was the Director of the botany in Brisbane, once planted the seed of a nut. This "first" macadamia tree is still growing and producing nuts is over 70 years.
Macadamia nut tree also has a deep connection with native Australian Aboriginals who called macadamia tree Kindal Kindal and used to eat this nut in winters. Many colonists from Australia took a deep interest in the cultivation and propagation of this tree. They developed large orchards with over 250 trees. One of such orchard was Frederickson Estate in New South Wales, Australia in 1890.
The trees were cultivated and new varieties were developed with hybridization. Australia still remains one of the leading manufacturers of the macadamia nuts. These nuts later migrated to Hawai through William Herbert Purvis from Queensland, Australia. He nurtured these trees and imported them to Hawai. The most expensive hybrid variety of Macadamia nuts is in New Zealand.
In earlier times, macadamia nuts were considered equivalent to gold. These nuts were very precious. These were considered as an exotic dry fruit. In the world of nuts and berries, macadamia nuts are almost as precious as gold. Macadamia nuts were used for its rich flavor and taste and were part of most delicacies. It was used as the dessert nut.
Scientifically: The tree belongs to the family Proteaceae and is one of about 10 species of which two grow best as commercially productive plants. These nuts have two best variety: Macadamia integrefolia have nuts with smooth shells, and the Macadamia tetraphylla have rough-shelled nuts. These trees produce nuts throughout their growth and are slow-growing trees. The fruit is a hard, wood with a pointed apex and has one or two seeds.
Macadamia trees usually grow in Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Israel, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, and Costa Rica, etc. In the United States, California and Florida lead the macadamia crops, along with Hawaii.
Usage: Macadamia nuts are a great source of iron, calcium, vitamin B, and phosphorus. These nuts are 73-80% fat and are healthy fats. Macadamia nuts are used in chocolates, cakes, and other desserts and are flavored for its crunchiness. Macadamia nuts help in weight loss and help in boosting metabolism. Macadamia nuts help in controlling blood sugar level and cholesterol. Macadamia nuts also have the ability to fight cancer, tocotrienols present in Macadamia nuts have brain-protecting effects.
The nutrients in these nuts help in keeping the person full for a longer time. This oil has amazing effects on the skin. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic oil. It contains omega 6 linoleic acid which helps in balancing sebum production in oily skin. It works as a natural skin protective barrier. It also helps in treating any kind of skin inflammation or redness. This oil also helps in boosting hair growth.
Below are some DIYs with Macadamia nuts:
Take a teaspoon of macadamia nut oil, add a tablespoon of grapefruit juice and half a teaspoon of sea salt. Mix them together and apply on the face. Keep it on for 5 minutes and then wash it off in scrubbing motion. This helps in removing the dead skin without taking away skin’s natural oil.
Take a few drops of jojoba oil and a few drops of macadamia oil. Mix them together and massage it thoroughly on to the face. Keep it overnight for best results. This remedy helps in smoothening of fine lines.
Macadamia nut oil when applied on sunburns helps in relieving the pain and redness.
Take a teaspoon of macadamia nut oil and add a tablespoon of olive oil to it. Mix them together and massage it on the scalp. This helps in promoting hair growth.