Macadamia nuts are used as snacks and in exotic dishes. Peanuts are a legume and grow in the ground. They are native to South America and are now cultivated in the United States, Africa, India, China and Indonesia. Peanuts are a popular snack and are also used to make cooking oil and peanut butter. They are also an ingredient in many Asian dishes.
Pecans are native to North America where they are cultivated today.
Pecans are used in ice cream, baking and as a topping or filling for some entree recipes. Pecans are also a good snacking nut. Pine Nuts are native to the Mediterranean region and grow on trees, between the leaves of pine cones. Harvesting is quite laborious and expensive. Pine nuts are a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.