7 Facts about Cashew

1. Cashew tree.

The cashew tree is large and evergreen, growing to 14 m tall, with a short, often irregularly shaped trunk.

2. Cashew Apple.

The fruit of the cashew tree is an accessory fruit or false fruit (like strawberry). The term false fruit (accessory fruit) is sometimes applied to a plant structure that resembles a fruit but is not derived from a flower or flowers. Called the cashew apple, it ripens into a yellow and/or a red structure from 5 to 11 cm long. It is edible and has a strong “sweet” smell and a sweet taste.

Cashew Apple

3. Cashew Nut.

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. Within the true fruit is a single seed, which is often considered a nut, in the culinary sense.

4. Toxin.

The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing a caustic phenolic resin, urushiol, a potent skin irritant toxin also found in the related poison ivy in the sumac family.

5. Less allergy.

Some people are allergic to cashews, but cashews are a less frequent allergen than some other nuts.

6. Superfood.

Cashews are about 21% protein, 46% fat, and 25% carbohydrates. Cashews are very nutritious and are packed with protein and essential minerals including copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Cashews also contain vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, folate, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and vitamin K (phylloquinone). Cashews also contain a high content of oleic acid.

7. Tasty!

Raw and roasted cashews are used in salads, vegetarian meals, as a snack.

Flavored cashews are an excellent snack and go well with other party food.

Lovely desserts are caramelized cashews, a great taste with wine and champagne.

Cashew – Caramelized Nut

Cashew Florentine

Pomegranate Cashew – Caramelized Nut

Salted Cashew – Flavored Nut

Wasabi Cashew – Flavored Nut

Source: Just Fun Facts