They have a unique flavour and texture, similar to white sweet potato or chestnut.

Bunya pines are majestic trees towering above some rainforests in Queensland. The large green Bunya pine cones (football size) are hidden in the tree canopy. Mature trees at 12-15 years produce pine cones with crops being exceptionally good every 2-3 years. The mature cone weighs 5 – 10 kg and contains 30 – 100 nuts. The cones will fall from the tree when mature and should be harvested and frozen or processed within a week.

The wedge shaped nuts, when removed from the fleshy cone, are encased in a wooden shell. The nuts can easily be removed from wet cones. The nut is removed from the wooden shell in the home using secateurs or careful use of a strong sharp knife. They are easier to remove when hot after cooking in the shell...Nutritionally they are similar to chestnuts, being starchy, not oily. Each nut weighs about 15 grams and contains 130 kilojoules (32 calories) with more starch and protein than the average nut. The raw nuts have a dry crunchy texture and taste similar to a chestnut with overtones of pine. When boiled in their shell for 20-30 minutes the texture becomes waxy and can be easily sliced or pureed.

Indigenous Australians eat the nut of the bunya tree both raw and cooked. Traditionally, the nuts were ground and made into a paste, which was eaten directly or cooked in hot coals to make bread...Groves of Bunya trees were often under particular tribal ownership and as the fruit ripened, indigenous people who were bound by custodial obligations and rights, sent out messengers to invite people from hundreds of kilometres to meet at specific sites in the Bon-yi Mountains (Bunya Mountains) to feast on the kernels. Many different tribal groups – up to thousands of people – would travel great distances from as far as Charleville, Dubbo, Bundaberg and Grafton to the gatherings. They stayed for months, to celebrate and feast on the bunya nut. The bunya gatherings involved ceremonies; discussions and negotiations over law, marriage and regional issues; dispute settlements and the trading of goods.

Protein: Bunya nuts are relatively high in protein, with around 8-10 grams per 100 grams.
Healthy Fats: These nuts are also rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fats.
Fiber: Bunya nuts are a good source of dietary fiber, providing approximately 5-7 grams per 100 grams.
Vitamins and Minerals: Bunya nuts contain various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.
Low Glycemic Index: Bunya nuts have a low glycemic index (GI), which means they cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to high-GI foods.