Cashewnut

Cashewnut or Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple. It can grow as high as 14 m (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields.

Origin and distribution

The species is native to Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America, including northeastern Brazil. Portuguese colonists in Brazil began exporting cashew nuts as early as the 1550s. Major production of cashews occurs in Vietnam, Nigeria, India, and Ivory Coast.

Description

The cashew tree is large and evergreen, growing to 14 m (46 ft) tall, with a short, often irregularly shaped trunk. The leaves are spirally arranged, leathery textured, elliptic to obovate, 4–22 cm (1.6–8.7 in) long and 2–15 cm (0.79–5.91 in) broad, with smooth margins.

Cashew nut and its uses

The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney or boxing-glove–shaped drupe that grows at the end of the cashew apple. The drupe develops first on the tree, and then the pedicel expands to become the cashew apple. The cashew nut is contained within the shell that is surrounded by the fleshy pedicel, which becomes the cashew apple.

Cashew nuts are commonly used in cooking, particularly in Indian cuisine and Asian cuisine. They can be eaten raw, but are often roasted for better flavor. Cashew nuts are also used in making cashew butter and other cashew-based products.

Health benefits

Cashew nuts are rich in vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, magnesium, and a variety of other nutrients that are beneficial for health. They are also a good source of protein and dietary fiber.

Cultivation

Cashew trees are most frequently grown from seeds, but improved varieties can be grafted. They can be grown in a wide range of soils, but well-drained sandy or sandy-loam soils are best. The trees are also fairly tolerant of drought and can be grown in areas with dry seasons.

See also

• List of culinary nuts
• List of dishes with cashew nuts
• Cashew apple
• Cashew oil

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