The Macadamia: Australia’s Gift to the World

A history of the finest nut in the world and the industry it supports.  Macadamias belong to the family Proteaceae, which is the third largest botanical family in Australia and the evolution of the macadamia commenced many, many  millions of years ago. The tree first originated in the subtropical rainforests of northeast New South Wales and Southeast Queensland.  Before European settlement Aboriginal people gathered macadamia nuts in these rainforest regions.  This is the story of the first Australian plant to produce an international food and covers its evolution and its use and traditions with Aboriginal people.  It is both a reference source for the Australian and global macadamia industry and will appeal to all who have an interest in the macadamia and Australia’s heritage.