A macadamia nut farm is one of the most important kinds, except for the wild production, natural and whole.
The farms and the wild as well grow those nutritious and wanted nuts that offer many advantages and functions to the human body system; they grow on Macadamia trees.
Macadamia nut farms are mainly found growing these trees in different countries like; Brazil, Costa Rica, Hawaii, New Zealand.
The nut is regarded as a commercial crop in Australia. It is also called ‘Queensland nut, linked to several benefits in the body.
Unlike other nuts, it is very rich in nutrients and contains several plant compounds. Its nut has a subtle, butter-like flavor and creamy texture.
It also contains rare healthy monounsaturated fat, low cholesterol, and a low glycemic index. Macadamia nuts aid digestion, heart health, weight loss, and control blood sugar levels.
The high-monounsaturated fat found in macadamia nuts regulates the serum cholesterol levels. Research shows that the oil component in macadamia nuts (one novel protein MiAMP1) has a very high antimicrobial activity.
The nuts are often regarded as raw materials for industries and companies. They can be processed or refined into snacks, foods, candies, cakes, and cookies.
Different components like chocolate, xylitol, and grapes/raisins are added into the nut when processing to act as toxicants inhibiting components when the processed foods are ingested.
Why are macadamia nuts so expensive?
Macadamia nuts are essential, but they are very scarce to find. Have you ever wondered why macadamia nuts are so expensive? Continue reading.
Macadamia nut trees are tough to grow and are one of the most expensive nuts in the world. They cannot be grown or found anywhere or anyhow.
They are mainly grown or cultivated in Australian countries as their commercial crops in different hybrids, clones, and species (macadamia integrifolia and tetra phyla).
They are also found in the highlands of Queensland, where they are being transported or imported into industrial places like Hawaii, California, South Africa, Kenya, and Malawi.
The following are some reasons why macadamia trees are expensive includes;
Long years for cultivation
Like most trees, macadamia trees take a certain number of years to grow after planting before the nuts can be harvested for use. This is one of the major reasons farmers fail or abstain from growing macadamia trees because over ten species produce two different species of nuts and a prolonged harvesting process.
People also avoid growing this tree because most farmers obtain loans from banks to operate their farms. It is not feasible to grow such trees on short-term bank loans because they have to wait a long time before getting any return on their investment.
The demand for macadamia nuts and tremendous pressure for its need is very high.
Geo-graphical location
As stated earlier, the tree cannot be grown in all types of locations. It deserves a certain climate, temperature, and environment to reach maturity.
Macadamia can only thrive in environments that must have very high altitudes, rainfall, temperature, and climates similar to the Australian region, Queensland, and other highland regions.
Labor
The nut is costly because of the amount needed to grow the tree in seven to ten years. Farmers spend large amounts of money, employing laborers and workers and buying insecticides, fertilizers, sprayers, and other needed farm equipment to aid the tree’s growth.
The high amount of exorbitant fees on cultivation causes an agricultural labor shortage. This causes a hike in the wages and benefit costs to increase.
Pests
Pest is one of the inhabitants faced by macadamia nut farmers. Macadamia nut trees are largely affected by different animals and pests, affecting the orchard’s health and production.
Some of these pests include;
- Macadamia nut borer
Also called Cryptophlebia ombrodelta, it is a very small but reddish moth that is reddish-brown with a very large extended wing. This moth borehole into the nut after the tree sowed the nut.
If care is not taken, it may destroy the husk of nuts. These holes are usually bored close to the panicle of the nuts, which ends up in protruding frass.
After a long period, the infested nuts will dry off after the shell has been attacked.
- Husk Pores (Pseudocercospora) macadamia
This pest is a fungus that attacks the nut fruits of the tree. After attacking and wreaking havoc, the nut husks begin to have yellow coloration, and they enlarge and develop legions.
This legion later causes the husks to dry off. The spores from an infected tree can also infect a healthy tree. Other pests involve;
Raceme Bright
Oomycete
Tropical nut bearer
Hawaiian flower thrips
Land
The farmland prices for lease or sale are so high that they can never be affordable for a layman. The price highly needs nuts to acquire land.
Cost of importation
The nuts are cultivated and grown in distant countries with little or no civilization. After harvest, the nuts are needed to be imported to counties like Hawaii, California, South Africa, Kenya, and Malawi, where the nuts can be processed into different products.
How do macadamia nuts grow?
There are many questions I liked from farmers asking how macadamia fruits grow. The Macadamia tree has a very broad leaf, with flowers in different colors like pink, white, and brown.
Macadamia nut farm must be a fertile land with moist soil, well-drained, watered, sloppy, and stony to support its growth. Most farmers indulge in grafting the plant to kickstart the process and hasten the time to ripe.
Growing more than one macadamia tree on a macadamia farm is often recommended. This aids the pollination process, as the tree can pollinate itself and reduce vulnerability for low yield.
The tree can be grown naturally without irrigation, fertilizers, or insecticides unless attacked by pests and others. The nuts are edible and available for processing after they have ripened.
A macadamia tree also needs to be pruned regularly to grow the other surrounding trees.
Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts Raw Vegan Superfood Snack
After several research and experiments, our product Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts Raw Vegan Superfood Snack was coined out of natural macadamia fruits. Different ingredients were processed together to provide a product to regulate cholesterol in the body.
Ingredients include:
- Macadamia nut
High in Thiamine, which helps to boost the brain and transfer neurotransmitters
It Strengthens bones helps in weight loss, gain, and digestion process
Contains an amino acid named Palmitoleic Acid, which aids the metabolic and hormonal processes
Organic Arriba raw cacao powder (Theobroma cacao)
Shaman’s blend
A superfood
Enhances and lift the mood
Raw evaporated mineral-rich cane-juice
Vanilla Extract
Himalayan Pink Salt
Conclusion
Macadamia nuts are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and beneficial fats. They may help you lose weight, promote gut health, and protect you from diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.
Hence, if you’re interested in macadamia nut farm, try incorporating it into your diet right away.
