Cashews are small pear or oval-shaped accessory fruit that grows from the receptacle of cashew flower. The cashew tree is a native to north eastern Brazil and flourishes in extreme heat in the tropical region or near the equator. The tree is about 30 feet tall and the limbs of the tree are known to strike the ground and spread easily.
The delightful cashew nuts are derived from the crab apple that grows on the tree and is loved by people all around the world. The cashew tree is closely related to the family of mango and pistachio.
The kidney shaped nut is borne as an appendage on the end of the cashew apple. The apple resembles the pear fruit and like all fruit bearing trees, the nut grows from the centre of a flower that emerges in the plant.
In order to yield the nuts, the cashew apple is allowed to fall on the ground, when ripe and then the nut is separated from it by the natives. The cashew usually hangs like a nose on one end of the fruit. The shell of the cashew nut is about 1-1.5 inches long. Basically the cashew nut has two shells; the testa and the exterior shell.
The Brazilian cashew is the most sought after. Cashews are essentially produced by the developing nations but usually it is a product loved and enjoyed by the wealthy nations. Some are even sweeter and rich in taste.
Cashews are also grown in countries like India and Vietnam. The nuts grown in India are smaller in size and crisp. Some are even sweet in taste while some may also be extremely bland. Cashews in India are usually ivory colored and savored by a good number of people both in and out of the country. On the other hand, cashews grown in Vietnam are extremely sweet in taste. In the last few years, even China has started growing cashews. Cashew plantations in India are transplanted into crops.
The deftly flavored cashew nut is available in the market throughout the year and is liked by people of all age groups. Cashew nuts are also used to garnish salads and stir fry foods. It also makes for tasty nut butter and is also an essential part of many sweet dishes.
Cashews are rich in monounsaturated fats and copper and are a good source phosphorous and magnesium as well.
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Health Benefits of Cashews
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Anacardium occidentale, the botanical name for cashew nut, is a bean shaped nut that grows on tropical evergreen trees. It has originated from Brazil and now its cultivated in many other countries. The raw cashews have to be roasted so as to remove the toxic resin that is present on the shell of the nut. This poisonous coat is related to poison ivy which causes irritation and rashes when it is touched. Cashew nuts hav a high content of copper, magnesium and monounsaturated fats. The bark of the cashew tree is scraped and soaked overnight or boiled as an antidiarrheal. Seeds are ground into powders which is used as antivenom for snake bites.
The monounsaturated fat present in the nut help to promote cardiovascular health. Antioxidants found in cashew help to eliminate free radicals that may cause cancer. Cashews have magnesium that ensure healthy bones, helps to lower blood pressure and severity of asthma, and promotes normal sleep patterns in menopausal women. The presence of copper promotes iron utilization, development of bone and connective tissue and production of energy, skin and hair pigment.
Cashews, an energizing food, are good body builders that have no cholesterol. It also maintains healthy teeth and gums. The nut oil is used as an antifungal and also for healing cracked heels. Cashew nuts have also been known to reduce risk of gallstone disease.
The cashew nut is a popular snack and because of its rich flavor it is often eaten on its own, lightly sugared or salted. It can also be sold covered in chocolate. It is also ingredients in Thai cuisine, Chinese cuisine and Indian cuisine. Apart from snacks, it can be grated so as to garnish dishes especially in India.
