THE ORCHARD
Rows of orderly macadamia trees, in small fields wedged between native bush and a meandering stream. In a world of mass production, it’s a pleasant surprise to find that spray-free and small-scale still have a place in providing delicious and nutritious food.
THE HARVEST
It’s hard work, the trees won’t give up the bunches of nuts easily. The leaves are sharp and our tools are heavy gloves and spiked tridents to drag down the higher bunches. We start early, with the neighbour’s ‘mozzarella’ buffalos moaning for attention. Nets spread below each tree are quickly filled and we haul the nuts up to the trailer.
Each precious load adds to a growing mound of nuts in the ancient barn, and by evening we’re done, generally heavily scratched, but feeling pretty good as the hot food and mulled wine eases out the aches of the day.