CANDLE NUT TRIVIA
The Candlenut Tree is native to Malaysia and Polynesia and is a member of the Poinsettia family.
The candle nut (Aleurites molucana) has such a high oil content, up to 70%, that they are strung on ribs from palms and used as candles in Malaysia and Indonesia. Candle nuts are also known as Kukui (Hawaii), candleberry, kemiri nut (Indonesia), lumbang, and varnish tree. They are also used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in curries, and have a similar taste and texture as macadamia nuts. The name 'varnish tree', refers to the use of the oil in paints and varnishes.
The Candlenut Tree was designated as the state tree of Hawaii in 1959.
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