![]() (Nuts, right?) Speaking of nutty, belief it or “nut”, the largest cashew tree in the world is located in Brazil and spans an astounding 81,000 square feet (roughly the size of 70 regular sized cashew trees!), producing approximately 60,000 fruit each year and estimated to be over a thousand years old! ![]() However, it can be cooked in various ways, made into preserves, used in fruit juice and in several countries is fermented to produce various types of alcohol. The brightly colored yellow or red cashew apple, which is technically the swollen stem of the cashew fruit, is also edible as a fresh “fruit.” However, most of us aren’t likely to ever have an opportunity to try it, seeing as it is highly perishable. (You have to see it to believe it!) The shell surrounding the seed contains a potent skin irritant similar to that found in its relative, poison ivy (and the reason why cashew nuts are sold without their shells). The tree produces what is known as a cashew apple – at the end of the apple is found a kidney shaped drupe or stone fruit, housing a single seed encased within its shell – the cashew “nut”! Since the seed develops on the outside of the fruit, the cashew apple is considered a false fruit. Technically, cashews aren’t nuts in the botanical sense of the word, but are in fact seeds of the tree, which grow in a very unique fashion. The shell surrounding the cashew seed contains a potent skin irritant similar to that found in its relative, poison ivy (and the reason why cashew nuts are sold without their shells). ![]() This tree was originally native to Brazil and Venezuela, but was distributed throughout the world by Portuguese explorers and is now cultivated around the globe, with top producing countries including India, Ivory Coast and Vietnam. Cashews are delicious, soft “nuts” enjoyed as a common snack food and popular in Asian cuisine (cashew nut chicken anyone?) In light of their unique macronutrient ratios, which gives them a creamy texture when blended, they are incredibly versatile and can also be used as a plant-based alternative to dairy products such as milk and cheese.Ĭashews grow in a very unique fashion – the tree produces a cashew apple and at the end of the apple is found a kidney shaped drupe or stone fruit, housing a single seed encased within its shell – the cashew “nut”!Ĭashews are related to pistachios, mangoes, and poison ivy, and come from the fruit-bearing cashew tree, Anacardium occidentale, which is a tropical evergreen. ![]()
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