The humble Macadamia Nut may be small, but it’s actually a nutritional powerhouse that packs a punch in many different ways. In fact, at Island Princess Hawaii of Honolulu, Macadamia Nuts are a way of life! As the second largest producer of nuts and confectionaries in the islands, the company is the go-to source for all things Macadamia. Below, their staff shares some valuable information about this delicious snack.

Fun Facts About Macadamia Nuts

1. Australian Natives

The Macadamia is derived from an indigenous Australian tree. It was discovered in 1828 by botanist, Allan Cunningham, during his travels throughout the continent. It wasn’t until 1881, though, that a mill manager named William Purvis planted the nuts’ seeds in Kapulena.

2. Island Favorites

By 1921, the nuts were quite popular with Hawaiians. Local planters took note and used the seeds to establish budding farms throughout the state. Van’s Macadamia Nuts, a commercial company, was born in 1934 and was the island’s first introduction to shelled, roasted, and salted macadamias. A few years later, a pair of local confectionaries introduced chocolate-covered macadamias to the area. Today, there are over 700 macadamia farms and eight processing plants on Hawai'i Island.

3. Harvested From the Ground

Though macadamia trees bloom with nuts, those nuts aren’t actually picked directly off the tree. In fact, they aren’t harvested until the nuts have fallen to the ground below. This indicates that they’re ripe and ready for consumption.

4. Abundant

The average macadamia tree is capable of producing upward of 65 pounds of nuts per year. This occurs approximately seven years after they are planted, and they may not reach their full potential until around 10 years of age.

5. Tough

It takes some strength to break the stubborn shell of a Macadamia Nut—300 pounds worth of pressure per square inch, to be precise. A nut-cracking tool will do the job, but you can easily purchase your favorite snack shelled to save yourself the trouble.

You’ll find an excellent selection of fresh Macadamias at Island Princess Hawaii. Whether your favorite is a chocolate-covered nut or you are seeking the perfect gift set for a special occasion, you can purchase it from their shop. Visit the Island Princess retail store online to browse their offerings, or give them a call at (808) 839-5222.