Nuts
Shell
The macadamia shell is famously one of the hardest commercial nut shells—so hard that home cracking is impractical and industrial equipment is standard. It is not food. The shell protects the soft, oily kernel during harvest and transport of in-shell nuts, then becomes biomass, craft material, or industrial by-product after cracking. Shell fragments left in kernel packs are a dental hazard—inspect carefully. Clean shells may be used as mulch or fuel in producing regions; never assume shell smoke is a safe food flavouring. Shell hardness is why macadamia prices stay high and why retail in-shell macadamias are less common casual snacks than walnuts. Sound in-shell lots can keep well if dry; once cracked, the clock starts on the delicate meat. Keep shell grit out of mills and blenders.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 5.02 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 78 g
- Dietary Fibre 55 g
- Total Sugars 3 g
- Complex / starch 8 g
- Protein 3.5 g
- Water 12 g
- Energy 349 kcal
- Water 12 g
- Carbohydrates 78 g
- Protein 3.5 g
- Fat 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Omega-3 0.08 g
- Vitamins 90.8 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.23 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 2.25 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.56 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 16.4 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 43.4 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 5.33 mg
- Vitamin K 5.3 µg
- Minerals 421 mg
- Major Minerals 419 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.23 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.17 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 2.25 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.56 · vitamin-b6: 0.17 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 16.4 · vitamin-b9-folate: 43.4 · vitamin-e: 5.33 · vitamin-k: 5.3 ·
Minerals
Shell is largely mineral; edible value is minimal except as calcium source when finely prepared.
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Aboriginal Australians ate macadamia nuts from native eastern forests.
Colonial botanical interest began cultivation pathways for macadamia.
Hawaiian orchards commercialised macadamia as a luxury export nut.
Australia, South Africa, and others expanded global premium macadamia supply.