What is Macadamia nut?
[[Image:Macadamia.jpg|thumb|Macadamia nut]] The '''macadamia nut''' is the fruit of a [[tree]] that first came from the east [[coast]] of [[Australia]]. There is more than one kind of Macadamia tree. Only two kinds are grown for [[food]]. The tree is an [[evergreen]] (stays green all year long). It grows up to {{convert|25|ft|abbr=off}} high. It has groups of small white [[flower]]s. It grows best in [[subtropical]] (wet and always warm) climates. It needs well-drained [[soil]] (water can flow away easily) and {{convert|40|to|100|in|mm}} of rain a year. The nutmeat (the soft part inside the shell that can be eaten) is mostly a creamy white color. Sometimes it looks a bit yellow. It has a [[flavor]] that many people like. Macadamias are eaten [[roast]]ed (cooked) by themselves. They are used in [[cookie]]s, [[cake]]s, [[pastry|pastries]], and [[candy|candies]]. People use them like [[almond]]s and [[cashew]]s as part of cooked meals. This is an [[Far East|Oriental]] style of cooking. The first [[Commerce|commercial]] [[orchard]] was started in Australia in the late 1880s. Commercial production started in [[Hawaii]] during the 1920s. Production later spread to [[California]], [[Mexico]], and other places with warm [[climate]]. Macadamias are [[poison]]ous to [[dog]]s. A dog usually needs 24 to 48 hours to recover fully after eating macadamias.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Treacherous Treats – Macadamia Nuts |author= Christine Allen |journal= Veterinary Technician |date= October 2001 |url= http://aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/zj-vettech_1001_0.pdf |accessdate= January 15, 2014 |archive-date= January 16, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116100009/http://aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/zj-vettech_1001_0.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>The plant is in the [[Proteaceae]] family of flowering plants. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]