FOOD FOR THOUGHT
My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:
an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.
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Until I visited a macadamia nut farm on the Big Island, it was difficult for me to picture the nut growing on a tree. It is even harder to imagine a cashew or pine nut growing from a branch. The macadamia nut originated in Australia. The Director of the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, a scientist and botanist, identified and classified the tree, then named it in honor of his fellow scientist, John MacAdam (Macadam). Hawai'i, however, is where commercial production of the macadamia nut is concentrated.
If you've never eaten dry roasted macadamia nuts, why not put that on your list of things to do this month? Whenever the bagged nuts go on sale at Longs (aka CVC), I purchase a few bags and snack on them about once a day. There are different schools of thought as to whether the nuts, made up of about 72% oil, are really healthy for you or not. I figure anything made in Hawai'i has got to have some redeeming qualities.
The first macadamia tree was planted on the Big Island of Hawai'i in 1946. The nuts and Kona coffee are both thriving products on the open market. If you don't want to eat the nuts plain, try them in cookies - naturally, they come with white chocolate chunks - or try them covered with chocolate (Mauna Loa is my favorite milk chocolate-covered macadamia nut.)
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Many years ago, I decided that as long as I enjoyed the nuts in small helpings there was no need to worry about the health factor. Besides, Jim Nabors once owned a macadamia nut farm on Maui. If those nuts are good enough for Gomer Pyle, then they are definitely good enough for me!
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These always make me think of my honeymoon. Oddly, I rarely purchase them on the mainland. I think they're quite expensive?
ReplyDeleteThat is why my family is always eager to receive my goodie boxes in December.
DeleteMacadamia Nuts were my father's favorite. I remember he would receive a small jar in his Christmas stocking - and he would savor every morsel.
ReplyDeleteI like them too, but because of the expense, they are a real delicacy in our household.
They are supposed to be good for you, in moderation, so the cost works in your favor.
Deletewe don't get these in India but i have heard of it.
ReplyDeleteTina
And you have delicacies we would like.
DeleteI like macadamias, but they're a little pricey.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine grew up on the Big Island, and picked coffee as a kid.
They grow the coffee and nuts together to encourage the nuts to ripen quicker.
DeleteOne of my favorite nuts!
ReplyDeleteM: Montana & Mexico
DB McNicol, author & traveler
Theme: Oh, the places we will go!
With all your travels, Donna, you must have come across them growing in other countries also.
DeleteI like macadamia nuts, and I've heard they are quite good for us. I'd love to see a macadamia nut tree in person someday. When I come to Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteSue, you can take a tour of a macadamia nut farm and see the macadamia and coffee trees. Plus eat and drink samples.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves macadamia nuts. Now that I know they come from Australia, I love them too. As far as I am concerned, all nuts are healthy!
ReplyDelete