National Macadamia Nut Day
Today we celebrate macadamia nuts! Native to Australia, they are named after chemist John Macadam, who promoted their cultivation there. They are also sometimes known as Queensland nuts, taking their name from the second largest Australian state. In about 1890, they were brought to Honolulu from another Australian state—Tasmania. In Hawaii, their trees were first used just for ornamentation, but after about forty years they began being used for culinary purposes. They have since become one of the largest crops of Hawaii.
Macadamia nuts are nutritious and have many health benefits. They can be eaten raw or roasted and salted. They are commonly eaten as a snack and are used in pastries and desserts, salads, and meat and fish preparations. Their oil also has many uses as well, such as being a component in salad dressings and skin care products.
How to Observe National Macadamia Nut Day
Celebrate the day by eating macadamia nuts! Buy some at the store that are raw or roasted, or pick up something prepared that includes them. You could also roast them yourself, make cookies that include them, or make another recipe.