Which nut is considered the world’s toughest nut to crack?
The macadamia nut is widely considered the world’s toughest nut to crack. Its shell is exceptionally hard, requiring an extraordinary amount of pressure, around 300 pounds per square inch, to break. This toughness is due to the shell’s remarkable strength and a structure that has been compared to that of aluminum. In fact, the macadamia nutshell is reportedly five times harder than a hazelnut shell, making it a formidable barrier to reach the delicious kernel inside.
Due to the immense difficulty in cracking them, macadamia nuts are rarely sold in their shells. Specialized industrial machines with blades or rollers are typically employed to open them without damaging the nutmeat. Even some large parrot species, like the hyacinth macaw, are among the few creatures with beaks strong enough to naturally crack a macadamia. This inherent toughness not only protects the nut but also makes the shells a valuable resource for various applications, including biochar production and even creating durable materials.
Source:
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