Macadamia Kernels Go Soft After Drying (forum)

Grubs starts with ...
I've been picking up macadamias from the ground a couple of times a week and dehusking them immediately and leaving the nuts in a pile on the kitchen bench to dry (as per instructions I googled up). After a couple of weeks drying I then go to crack open then nuts and the kernel has shrunk a *lot* so it only fills ~ 30-40% of the void inside the nut and they are soft - a bit like eating chewy dried apple - not at all like a yummy crunchy macadamia from the shop!

If I crack the nuts as soon as I pick them up the kernel is full size and crunchy a bit like a green almond straight off the tree (not the best eating).

I couldn't find anything on "the net" about soft kernels... does anyone have any ideas on whether I should be doing something different to process the nuts for eating...or perhaps the tree is missing some particular "crunchy nut" nutrients? The tree is 15-20 years old...totally unloved (no mulch, no water...just growing in a paddock).


...or is this just what you get because its growing in Melbourne?

Any ideas?

Time: 16th March 2012 3:11pm

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john says...
You need more heat than just laying them out. Try the top of a hot water heater or low oven.

Time: 22nd March 2012 7:53am

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davewastech says...
Getting the correct dryness is important commercially.
See
http://era.daf.qld.gov.au/1964/4/mac-growing_guide_Part4.pdf
page 66 Section &quote;Nut-in-shell drying and storage&quote;

Time: 13th May 2017 10:49pm

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Meeay says...
I have the same issue with my tree, just moved into a new house with a mature tree. I don't seem to able to get any info other than taking the husk off quickly. I would have thought though, that drying them manually, would be removing the water content, hence the shrivelled kernel.
I would love further advise myself.
TIA.

Time: 24th January 2023 8:59pm

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Avo L134 says...
It is likely that the nut has not fully mature when you picked them off the tree/ground. You'll find that if you crack them straight immediately the white flesh is crisp and moist, and filling out the entire nut.


Time: 27th January 2023 11:23am

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Avo L134 says...
Its likely because the nut has not fully mature hence the shrinkage upon drying.

Time: 30th January 2023 10:36am

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