Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are the seeds obtained from the fruits of the macadamia flowering plants. These are round brown colored enclosed in a seed covering of around 3 cm diameter. The shelled macadamia nuts are about the size of a marble and have a rich, sweet, delicate, buttery flavor enjoyed in both desserts and savory dishes. Only 2 species are of commercial use. These include Macadamia integrifolia or the smooth shelled macadamia and Macadamia tetraphylla or the hard shelled macadamia. The oil and sugar content of the kernel varies from 65- 75 % and 6- 8 % in both of these. Other varieties are inedible or poisonous nuts.