The deliciously tasty cashew nut grows on the Cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale), a native of the Brazilian rain forest. Brought to India and the Far East by Portuguese sailors, the cashew tree is now cultivated in most tropical countries with India, Brazil and Vietnam being the top producers.
The fruit of the cashew tree popularly known as cashew apple is an edible, pear shaped "false fruit" to which a small bean shaped, grey color "true-fruit" is attached. This "true fruit" with its hard outer shell encloses a single edible seed, which is the cashew nut. Good quality cashew nuts are generally kidney shaped, cream white in color and about an inch in length. They have a firm yet delicate and smooth texture.
Uses of cashew nuts
As a condiment: Cashew nuts, which are known for their distinct sweetness and buttery texture, are popular as a snack and are eaten in many different forms- raw, roasted, salted, fried, spiced or dipped in honey. The cashew nut is also used as an ingredient either whole or powdered in Indian, Chinese, Thai, South African and Brazilian cuisine. The unique taste and flavor of this versatile nut allows it to be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
For general health: Cashew nuts are rich in minerals and have significant amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. They are also rich in the antioxidant selenium, a cancer- protecting agent. Regular intake of cashew nuts is said to be 'heart healthy' since the monounsaturated-fatty acids like oleic, and palmitoleic acids found in cashew nuts help lower harmful LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol. Cashew nuts are also a good source of vitamins and 100 grams of cashew nuts provide 0.147 mg or 32% of the daily- recommended levels of pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
Selection and storage of cashew nuts
Cashew nuts are always sold shelled, since the shell contains the phenolic resin, urushiol, which is a potent skin irritant toxin. Superior quality nuts can be identified by their bright cream-white colour and uniformity in size. Good quality nuts feel heavy when held in the hand, and are free from cracks, spots and rancid smell.
Cashew nuts stay fresh for 5-6 months when stored in an airtight container. They can also be refrigerated as this helps in avoiding them turning rancid and losing their sweetness.
Purchase superior quality cashew nuts at Ameen Exports
Ameem Exports, located in Cochin, Kerala, offers superior grade cashew nuts to wholesalers, packers, distributors, fast food companies, restaurants, large importers, and supermarket chains around the world. We ensure quality by sourcing directly from the planters and then processing the nuts in our processing unit that has state-of-the-art facilities like pre-pack sorting lines, color-sorters and metal detectors. This ensures the superior quality of our freshly shelled nuts, making it an ideal choice either as a snack or as a food ingredient.
Contact us for more information.