Uses & Benefits
Cashew Nut
Cashew nuts are projected seed from cashew apples, contrary to their name, having high nutritional value and health benefits with antioxidants and fatty acids. Cashew nuts are rich in copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium. Unprocessed raw cashews may be poisonous. Raw cashew nuts are roasted, shelled and peeled to obtain Cashew Nut Kernels (Anacardium occidentale). After proper processing and cleaning, they are nutritious and delicious offering many potential health benefits. Cashews consumption is linked to improved cardiovascular health, weight loss and reducing bad cholesterol.
Cashew belongs to the Anacardiaceae family among mango (Mangifera indica L.) and pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) are also included. Cashew trees can grow upto 20 m rapidly and are evergreen. But reaches 8 to 12 m height. Cashew nut is an andromonoeic species/
Overview of Cashew Production
Global production of cashews ranges between 720,000 and 790,000 MT/year. India with annual production of 170,000- 95,000 MT ranks first.
Tree Products
A Cashew Apple is a soft, shiny and juicy fruit which bears a single-seed nut below it enclosed with a grey hard shell. A oil like black liquid inside the Grey Hard Shell is used for industrial purposes. The nocuous liquid contains acids : Cardol and Anacardic that has polymerizing and lubricating properties. In many industrial processes of developing cements, varnishes, lubricants, drugs, fungicides and antioxidants this liquid is being used.
Seasons
Flowering
Northern hemisphere : : December to April
Southern hemisphere : June to December
Higher concentration from September to November Nut harvest is done during dry weather and only when the apples are fully ripe. In a span of 3 to 4 months three to four flowering and fruiting takes place. Multiple harvesting is necessary. In India harvesting starts early in the calendar year continues till mid of the year. Harvesting and Drying
The entire harvesting of cashew nuts cannot ripe at one time. It extends over a period of 35-80 days which is extremely labor-intensive. The nuts should be allowed to fall with perfect maturity. In India, cashews are plucked out from the tree only if nuts are perfectly matured for dessert use.
The nuts are conveyed and spread out separately in the racks for sun dry and then stored if they are not peeled immediately. Full dried nuts can be stored for 1 or 2 years. Kidney shaped shells encase Cashew nuts with several toxic layers surrounding it. To get Whole White (W180, W210, W240, W320, W450 W500 etc.,), Cashew nuts are unshelled and peeled manually which impose additional cost on cashew nut.
Nutritional Value
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported on National Nutrient Database that 1 ounce of raw cashews (28.35 g) contains
| Fats | 12.43gm |
| Calories | 157 |
| Carbohydrate | 8.56gm |
| Sugar | 1.68gm |
| Fiber | 0.9gm |
| Protein | 5.17gm |
| Calcium | 10mg |
| Iron | 1.89mg |
| Magnesium | 83mg |
| Phosporus | 168mg |
| Potassium | 187mg |
| Sodium | 3mg |
| Zinc | 1.64mg |
| Ascorbic Acid | 0.1mg |
| Thiamine | 0.12mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.016mg |
| Niacin | 0.301mg |
Tropical areas having annual rain fall from 400 to 4000 mm are well suitable for the cashew tree growth at an altitude of 1000 m. This Brazil native trees are now cultivated globally and in India also. Beneath the Cashew apples fit with Cashew nut.
CASHEW KERNALS GRADES
– White Wholes, Scorched Wholes, Dessert Wholes
– White Pieces, Scorched Pieces, Dessert Pieces
Whole cashews, Roasted and salted, smooth texture, delicate sweet flavor, Good source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
The Cashew nuts has good fragrance and taste with increased nutritional value after steaming / Frying. The white color does not change due to this process.
W210
Moisture : 5 % Max, Mold and Fungus : 0 %
Broken : 5 % Max
W240
Moisture : 5 % Max, Mold and Fungus : 0 %
Broken : 5 % Max
W320
Count : 650 – 700 / Kg, Colour : Natural
Moisture : 5 % Max, Mold and Fungus : 0 %
Broken : 5 % Max
W450
Moisture : 5 % Max, Mold and Fungus : 0 %
Broken : 5 % Max
WS
Colour : Natural, Moisture : 5 % Max
LP
Colour : Natural, Moisture : 5 % Max