Cashew nuts are one of the most popular snack foods in the world. These crunchy, creamy nuts are delicious on their own or paired with cheese for a delicious appetizer. They’re also great on salads, soups and desserts! But did you know that there are different types of cashews? We’ve created a guide to help you find the best cashews out there so that your next meal will be as amazing as possible:
A cashew nut is the seed of an apple-like fruit that comes from a tree native to Brazil.
A cashew nut is the seed of an apple-like fruit that comes from a tree native to Brazil. The fruit itself is called cashew apple, and it’s used to make jams and juices. Cashews can be eaten raw or roasted, ground into butter or oil, or even processed into flour for baking.
Cashews are related to poison ivy (and sumac), so if you have an allergy to either one of those plants–or just don’t like them–you might want to avoid cashews altogether!
Cashew nuts are used in many sweet and savory dishes throughout Brazil, India, Thailand and Central America.
Cashews are used in many sweet and savory dishes throughout Brazil, India, Thailand and Central America.
In Brazil, cashews make up a large portion of the country’s exports to Europe and Asia. The demand for cashew products has grown significantly over the last century due to their versatility as both an ingredient and garnish: they can be used as part of sauces or soups; ground into flour for baking; candied on sticks; shelled whole with salt sprinkled on them (a delicacy called “cashew fruit”); ground into butter or cream cheese-like spreads; blended with other nuts like peanuts or almonds for candy bars; even blended with cocoa powder for chocolates!
Cashew nuts are not actually nuts at all; they’re seeds.
Cashews are not actually nuts at all; they’re seeds. The cashew tree isn’t even a nut tree, but rather a flowering plant that grows in tropical climates and produces fruit that looks like an apple.
The cashew originated in Brazil, where it was first discovered by Portuguese explorers during their search for gold and diamonds in the early 1500s (the name derives from caju). Today you can find these tasty little morsels of goodness throughout the world–they’ve been cultivated elsewhere since then!
Cashew trees were first brought to North America in 1765 by Thomas Jefferson as part of his mission to establish a more diverse agricultural economy in Virginia.
Cashew trees were first brought to North America in 1765 by Thomas Jefferson as part of his mission to establish a more diverse agricultural economy in Virginia.
Cashews are native to Brazil and were brought over by the Portuguese who used them as a staple food source in their diet. Today, cashews are one of the most profitable commodities in the world because they are so versatile and easy to use–you can make all kinds of dishes with them!
The name “cashew” is derived from the Portuguese word “caju” which means “nut”.
Cashews are one of the most popular nuts in the world for a variety of reasons. They’re high in protein and healthy fats, they taste great on their own or used as an ingredient in recipes, and they’re also easy to prepare at home (if you have access to raw cashews).
But where do cashews come from? And how did they get their name?
The name “cashew” is derived from the Portuguese word “caju” which means “nut”. When Portuguese traders brought this nut back home after exploring Africa and Asia in the 15th century, everyone started calling it caju as well–even though there are many other kinds of nuts out there!
As a rule, cashews are never eaten raw because they contain an enzyme called urushiol which can cause an allergic reaction if ingested by humans or animals.
As a rule, cashews are never eaten raw because they contain an enzyme called urushiol which can cause an allergic reaction if ingested by humans or animals.
Urushiol is present in the cashew nutshell and can be found in many other plants, including poison ivy and poison oak. If you touch these plants, it’s likely that some of the urushiol will get on your skin–and once it does, there’s no way to wash it off! It takes about 12 hours for this compound to penetrate into human skin; after that time period has passed (or if you’ve developed a rash), there’s nothing else we can do besides wait until our bodies naturally heal themselves over time.
So, if cashews are never eaten raw, what’s the best way to consume them? The answer is cooking. When you roast or boil cashews, they lose their urushiol properties and become safe to eat.
It’s also important to note that a person can develop an allergic reaction after eating cashews even if they haven’t touched poison ivy or poison oak. If you’re allergic to urushiol, you’ll likely experience symptoms within 2 hours of consuming raw cashews.
In most cases, a person who has touched poison ivy or poison oak and then eaten cashews will develop a rash within 12 hours. If you do experience any symptoms after eating raw cashews, such as hives or blisters on your skin, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
If you’re not allergic to poison ivy or poison oak, there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll be safe eating cooked cashews or even raw ones that have been processed in such a way as to remove urushiol.
If you’ve ever tasted cashews that were rancid or bitter then you know how important it is to store them properly so that they don’t lose their freshness quickly.
If you’ve ever tasted cashews that were rancid or bitter then you know how important it is to store them properly so that they don’t lose their freshness quickly.
- Store in an airtight container: To keep your cashews from going bad, be sure to store them in an airtight container. This will help keep out moisture and other elements that can cause the nuts to spoil more quickly than normal.
- Store in a cool, dry place: While keeping your cashews sealed up tight helps prevent them from spoiling too soon, storing them at room temperature is actually more likely to cause damage than if they’re kept chilled (like in the refrigerator). The best place for this type of food storage is somewhere cool with low humidity–so ideally somewhere like an unused closet would be ideal!
Keep an eye on their expiration date: While you may think that cashews are shelf stable and can last a long time without going bad, they actually have a relatively short shelf life (especially if they’ve been processed). In fact, many manufacturers recommend eating them within 6 months of purchase. If you don’t plan on using all of yours at once, make sure to keep track of how much time has passed since they were produced so that they don’t spoil too soon!
Store in an airtight container: While it’s important for all nuts to be stored in a sealed container, cashews are especially sensitive because of their high fat content. This means that you have to make sure that they’re completely covered by airtight plastic or glass so that no moisture can get into the package and cause spoilage.
Keep in mind that this type of food storage will only keep them fresh for so long. If you plan on storing cashews for longer than 6 months, it’s recommended to freeze them instead!
While it’s important for all nuts to be stored in a sealed container, cashews are especially sensitive because of their high fat content. This means that you have to make sure that they’re completely covered by airtight plastic or glass so that no moisture can get into the package and cause spoilage. Keep in mind that this type of food storage will only keep them fresh for so long. If you plan on storing cashews for longer than 6 months, it’s recommended to freeze them instead!
We have created a guide for finding the best cashews out there.
Cashew nuts are a nutritious and delicious snack, but they can also be used in many different dishes. Cashews are often used in Indian, Thai and Brazilian cuisine. They can be added to curries or used as an ingredient in sweet dishes like ice cream or cookies.
Cashews contain protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. They contain essential fatty acids (EFAs), which help to lower cholesterol levels by lowering triglyceride levels; EFAs also lower blood pressure by reducing inflammation within the arteries of your heart.
Cashews are high in phosphorus, which helps to support your bones. They also contain vitamin E, which may help prevent certain types of cancer and boost your immune system. Cashews can be eaten as a snack by themselves or added to salads or other dishes.
To prepare them, soak the cashews for about 8 hours in water. Then, drain and rinse with cold water. Add the cashews to a blender along with some water, garlic powder, salt and pepper; blend until creamy. Add more water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Cashews can also be used as an ingredient in many different dishes. Cashews are often used in Indian, Thai and Brazilian cuisine. They can be added to curries or used as an ingredient in sweet dishes like ice cream or cookies.
They can also be used as a topping for salads or added to soups and stews. Cashews are high in calories, so it’s important not to overindulge. One ounce of cashews contains 170 calories.
