Macadamia Nut Heaven at the Mauna Loa Factory
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Store, Hilo, Honolulu
The last leg of the “So Much More Hawaii” blogger tour is on the Big Island! Honolulu is yet another endless source for adventure and amazing touring. This morning, Jim Turner (@Genuine) got his fill of his new favorite snack, macadamia nuts (or as he calls them, “cracadamia nuts”) at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company Factory and Visitor Center in Hilo.
Since Hawaii has heavy rainfall, tropical sun and lava-covered land (think amazing nutrient-rich land), Hawaii has become one of the centers specializing in the growth of macadamia nuts. The nuts originated in Australia and were introduced in Hawaii in 1881. The Mauna Loa Company began by planting trees, harvesting the first crop eight years later. With its 800,000 trees, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory rates today as one of the world’s largest producers of these very tasty, yet very fatty, nuts. The production of macadamia confectionery, cakes, biscuits and other items can’t be missed – virtually any and every variety of nut can be bought in shops all over the island. Here’s a fascinating timeline of the history of the macadamia nut in Hawaii, now one of the foods most associated with the state.
And for the eco-friendly set, blogger Leah Lamb (@leahlamb) learned that the macadamia nut shells are burned to sustain electricity in the factory. Talk about using every part of the product!
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor's Center
Macadamia nut in the shell via tomeppy Flickr Creative Commons
Macadamia nuts on the tree, via tomeppy Flickr Creative Commons